Nina Marino

Nina Marino co-founded Kaplan Marino, PC with partner Richard Kaplan in 1998 to create a platform for the firm's then-burgeoning white-collar practice. Since then Nina has devoted her practice exclusively to white-collar and complex criminal defense achieving global recognition for her successful representation of individuals. Nina Marino recognized by Chambers USA, says, “Nina Marino has cultivated an excellent reputation in the market for her skillful representation of senior executives in white-collar criminal litigation.” .” Forbes Advisor says, “Nina Marino is frequently recognized as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in California.” Clients say, "she is dogged in getting to the bottom of things, but she's smart and flexible. She is very focused on her clients' interests, and she is really top-notch.”

As a prominent member in the criminal defense bar, Nina Marino has been honored with the American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section's (CJS) Charles English Award, the highest accolade for excellence in criminal justice. She serves as the First Vice Chair of the Section, the Director for Continuing Legal Education, and the founder of the Women in White Collar Subcommittee. Additionally, she is a founding member and City Leader of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Women in White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA) and established the Criminal Justice Section of the Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles (WLALA). Nina has also represented as a legal representative and was the Appointed Chair of the Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representatives for the Central District of California.

Featured Practices
BUSINESS & FINANCIAL CRIMES
PUBLIC CORRUPTION
HEALTHCARE FRAUD
MONEY LAUNDERING
INTERNATIONAL EXTRADITION
SENTENCING

With over three decades of advocacy for women’s issues, Nina has significantly contributed to reshaping the gender composition of the ABA’s educational programming and frequently speaks at both domestic and international forums. She regularly authors articles and treatises on criminal law and international extradition, including a recent chapter on international extradition in the ABA’s International Litigation Strategies and Practice (Third Edition).

Nina is an active member of the planning committee for the National Institute on White Collar Crime, the premier conference in the U.S. where the Department of Justice announces its annual policies on white-collar crime. She also co-chairs the London White Collar Crime Institute and regularly speaks at the Southeast White Collar Crime Conference in Braselton, Georgia. Nina serves on the Executive Board of C5LA, a nonprofit focused on creating college pathways for underserved youth and is involved with the Women’s Leadership Council in Los Angeles and the Women in Leadership Advisory Board at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Recent Notable Matters
Stunning Defeat for United States Attorney's Office

In a stunning defeat for the United States Attorney’s Office, after a ten-week jury trial where the government called 41 witnesses to the stand, it took less than twelve hours for jurors to return not guilty verdicts on all counts for a CEO of a prominent engineering firm in Honolulu. The United States Attorney’s Office sought to portray campaign donations to the Honolulu prosecutor’s office as bribes. Nina Marino, argued to the contrary, persuasively demonstrating day after day the lack of evidence to substantiate the charges and that the campaign donations were just that: campaign donations and not bribes.

Dismissal of Workers Compensation Fraud Case

Secured the complete dismissal of workers comp fraud case filed against an attorney charged in an illegal referral and kickbacks scheme. Over the course of more than six years, Marino challenged by demurrer each charging instrument and succeeded, leaving the District Attorney with little choice other than to recharge using a different mechanism. After the final dismissal of the case, the Court ordered the dismissal with prejudice, foreclosing the District Attorney the ability to recharge. The District Attorney did not appeal the decision.

Probation Granted for 46 Counts of Misappropriation

Achieved Probation for doctor charged with 46 counts of misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement, and conflict of interest in relation to his management of two hospitals in Central California. Marino was the fourth attorney to represent the client. After intensive negotiations lasting over several months, Marino negotiated a probationary sentence.

Probation Granted for 6 Year Tax Evasion

Probation granted for husband and wife who failed to file and pay taxes for more than 6 years despite living a lavish lifestyle and receiving countless notices. Despite the losses more than $2.5M, 6 criminal felony charges and an aggravated white collar crime sentencing enhancement which mandates a state prison term, Marino negotiated probationary sentences for both clients, with the wife pleading only to a misdemeanor.

Probation Granted in 39 Count Felony Complaint

Probation granted to tech startup consultant who was charged in a 39 Count felony criminal complaint with defrauding four start up executives by receiving payment for consulting and not providing services. The client was also charged with multiple counts of false personation and an aggravated white collar crime enhancement which mandates a state prison sentence. Marino filed a demurrer to the criminal complaint which resulted in the dismissal of the allegations made by one of the four victims. Marino then focused on the work product performed by her client. Marino was able to establish that two of the remaining three purported victims received work product for their payment to the client opening the door for Marino to negotiate a resolution where the client would pay restitution only to the remaining purported victim, his felony plea to a single count was reduced to a misdemeanor and dismissed in a single day leaving him with no criminal record.

Probation Granted for Federal Charge

Probation granted for family of restauranteurs charged federally with failure to pay taxes. All told there were six members accused. After five years of investigation and negotiation, only three of the seven members were charged and pursuant to creative plea negotiation all received probation.