Richard B. Lind, Esq.

Richard B. Lind has extensive practice defending clients in the white-collar criminal cases. Mr. Lind recognizes that a criminal prosecution or investigation is traumatic. Consequently, he represents his clients with restraint and judgment, to achieve the optimum result. Mr. Lind has successfully represented clients in a broad array of Federal and State white-collar prosecutions and investigations, including in the following areas:

• Securities Fraud                                  
• Mail and Wire Fraud
• Money Laundering
• RICO offenses
• Accounting Fraud
• Immigration Violations
• Official Corruption

Representative Cases

• United States v. Scop: In reversing client's securities conviction, seminal decision by Second Circuit articulating scope of expert trial testimony.
• United States v. Arena: Obtained only acquittal in major federal police corruption trial.
• United States v. Gomez: Secured substantial downward sentencing departure in high-profile case involving rogue currency trader.

Richard B. Lind has significant experience representing defendants accused of serious Federal and State drug trafficking and violent offenses. Mr. Lind has successfully tried over two dozen drug and violent cases to verdict. His depth of knowledge of Federal law and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in particular enables him to craft favorable defenses and dispositions for his clients. His firm has handled dozens of cases involving drug trafficking in the following area: 

• Conspiracy
• Crack
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Ecstasy
• Methamphetamines

Representative Case

• United States v. Arocena: Major appeals ruling by Second Circuit in case that formed basis for the movie, "Scarface."

In addition, Richard B. Lind was one of a handful of New York attorneys to successfully try a Federal death penalty case to verdict, including the sentencing phase. Mr. Lind has also tried numerous other violent Federal and State violent offenses, including:

• Homicide/Manslaughter
• Gang-related murder
• Violent Robberies
• Weapons Charges

Representative Case

• United States v. Williams: One of handful of New York attorneys to successfullly represent defendant through sentencing phase in Federal death penalty trial.

Richard B. Lind has been involved in many ground-breaking Federal asset forfeiture cases, including the first Federal appellate case to apply the Eighth Amendment ban on “cruel and unusual” punishment to personal and real property interests; and numerous cases in which the reach of Federal forfeiture law has been defined. His in-depth knowledge of Federal forfeiture and his practical experience in this area has enabled him to achieve optimum results for his clients. The types of Federal forfeiture cases Mr. Lind has defended include: 

• Post-Verdict Criminal Forfeiture
• Outbound-Currency Forfeiture
• Civil Forfeiture of Real and Personal Property 

Representative Cases

• United States v. 38 Whalers Cove Drive: Landmark opinion by Second Circuit applying Eighth Amendment principles to personal property in forfeiture cases.
• United States v. 890 Noyac Road: Important holding by Second Circuit in which adverse verdict was reversed in client's favor.
• Counihan v. Allstate Insurance: Important holding by Second Circuit in client's favor in asset forfeiture case.

Richard B. Lind represents individuals and corporations in business and commercial litigation. He has been actively involved in a wide array of civil cases and appeals in the following areas: 

• Civil Fraud
• Trademark Infringement
• Civil RICO
• Insurance Fraud and Insurance Claims
• Breach of Contract
• Unjust Enrichment
• Banking Law
• Wrongful Death

Representative Cases

• Application of Mullen: Significant opinion by First Department regarding joint bank accounts, in which client won reversal of Surrogate Court opinion.
• Banco Nacional de Cuba v. Chemical Bank: Second Circuit ruling in important international banking case regarding Act of State doctrine.