In January 2011, Attorney Yannetti handpicked Attorney Greg L. Johnson to join him at the Yannetti Criminal Defense Law Firm after the two attorneys had battled each other in a highly contested and lengthy gun case in the Lawrence District Court. At the time, Greg was working as a prosecutor for the Essex County District Attorney’s Office. Attorney Yannetti viewed first-hand the skill Greg exhibited, as well as the respect he commanded from judges and court personnel. Attorney Yannetti was so impressed that he offered Greg an associate’s position in the firm.
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Boston
Best Criminal Lawyers in Boston
Natalie Birnbaum
Criminal Lawyer
Natalie Birnbaum is committed to making healthcare access more inclusive, personalized and accessible. She works at the intersection of healthcare regulatory work, telehealth equity, reproductive rights, health, and justice.
Natalie developed her passion for healthcare law and life sciences through a variety of professional experiences across both the private and public sectors. Her expertise includes corporate transactions, general contract drafting and negotiations, start-up advising and reproductive health, rights and justice, regulatory compliance, and policy counseling.
Healthcare and Transactional Experience
Natalie’s work in-house at a rapidly growing international start-up, with policy makers in reproductive healthcare, and her background in commercial law make her an ideal advisor for healthcare companies desiring a comprehensive and dynamic partner as they navigate the path to growth. Her work synergizes innovation and policy in healthcare law, federal and state regulations, business and organizational transactions, and contract negotiation. Clients turn to Natalie for counsel with HIPAA compliance, CPOM compliance, implementation of care plans, strategic policy, and business entity formation.
She has served as corporate counsel for telehealth services startups navigating the rapidly changing U.S. regulatory landscape, including advising on billing structures, vendor agreements, and platform services agreements for clients across industries, specializing in telehealth for medication abortion and femtech platforms.
Mitchell Evall
Criminal Lawyer
Mitch Evall assists clients with a broad spectrum of real estate matters. Mitch has extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financing, development, and asset management transactions for clients that include major motion picture studios, theater chains, investment banks, real property developers, and retailers. He has been involved with high-profile corporate relocations and development projects, and has consulted on prominent developments—in New York, and across the western and southwestern United States. Mitch also has advised numerous national businesses on formation and wind-down activities. He is the partner-in-charge of lateral integration and partner-in-charge of Venable’s Los Angeles office.
Representative Matters
- Represented the seller in the sale of a major motion picture studio for approximately $2 billion
- Represented the buyer in the purchase of a studio facility for $300 million
- Represented the seller in the sale of a production facility for $175 million
- Represented the seller in the sale of a shopping center for more than $1 billion
- Represented the tenant in the leasing of approximately 1 million square feet of to-be-built office space and the concurrent purchase and sale of multiple office buildings
- Represented the tenant in the leasing of all of the office buildings in a to-be-built multi-use project
- Represented the borrower in a $600 million refinancing of a major Las Vegas shopping center
- Represented a major theater in the sale of naming rights to a multinational electronics firm
- Represented a purchaser in acquiring major office buildings and office parks
- Represented a tenant in a 450,000 square foot office lease
- Represented a seller in the sale of a major motion picture theater chain
Sahar Abas
Criminal Lawyer
- Assists with debt and equity capital markets, structured finance and other transactional matters.
- Advises clients on data protection, privacy and cybersecurity matters.
Sahar Abas advises clients on a broad range of debt and equity capital markets and finance transactions using both conventional and Islamic finance structures. She completed her training contract in the firm’s London office, during which time she undertook a six month secondment to the firm’s Dubai office. She was recently awarded Highly Commended in the Most Promising Newcomer category at the Law.com Middle East Legal Awards 2021.
- Advised Kuveyt Türk Katilim Bankasi A.S., one of the leading Turkish participation banks majority-owned by Kuwait Finance House, on the landmark issuance of US$350 million of fixed-rate resettable sustainability Tier 2 certificates due 2031, listed on the Irish Stock Exchange plc (Euronext Dublin). This is the world’s first sustainable regulatory capital sukuk issuance.
- Advised Capital Investments (DIFC) Ltd. and Capital Investments and Brokerage Company / Jordan Ltd. as the sole structuring agent and manager, respectively, in respect of Capital Bank of Jordan’s inaugural $100 million Reg S perpetual Basel III-compliant additional tier 1 capital securities offering. The capital securities have been admitted to trading on Nasdaq Dubai. The issuance is the first-ever additional tier 1 capital securities offering out of Jordan.
- Advised Albilad Capital in relation to the update and drawdown under the SAR400,000,000 Sukuk issuance programme of Morabaha Marina Financing Company, one of the leading Saudi Arabian finance companies.
- Advised Albilad Capital in relation to the update and drawdown under the SAR500,000,000 sukuk issuance programme of Maalem Financing Company.
- Represented the financier on a complex, multifaceted and multi-jurisdictional secured direct lending transaction whereby our client granted a term loan facility to a global fashion house originating from the Middle East.
- Advised a Saudi Arabian entity in relation to legal due diligence of its UAE operations in connection with a planned IPO on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul).
Joe Serpa
Criminal Lawyer
Education
Georgetown University Law Center
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Jurisdictions Admitted to PracticeMassachusetts, 1995
Boston Bar Association
Massachusetts Bar Association
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- English
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Greg L. Johnson
Criminal Lawyer
Attorney Greg L. Johnson has established himself as a true rising star in the criminal-defense bar. In both 2020 and 2021 Attorney Johnson was named to Massachusetts Super Lawyers, a selection process limited to those who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Between 2013 – 2018 he was nominated as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers six consecutive years. Only 2.5% of eligible attorneys nationwide are honored with the “Rising Star” distinction. This accolade further cemented Attorney Johnson’s growing reputation for top-level representation in criminal courts throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. For the press release issued by our firm in November of 2013 announcing this honor, click on the following link: Super Lawyers Rising Star
Rosemary Scapicchio
Criminal Lawyer
Rosemary Scapicchio is a highly experienced Boston criminal defense lawyer. She has been successful in exposing police misconduct in murder cases that resulted in not guilty verdicts for her clients. Attorney Scapicchio is fierce in the courtroom, attacking police investigations, identification and scientific evidence. Attorney Scapicchio has worked for years to locate and expose withheld exculpatory evidence that led to wrongful convictions. She has been successful in freeing innocent clients who had been sentenced to life without the possibility to parole. Attorney Scapicchio has been named a Super Lawyer by her peers from 2003-2021. In 2021, Attorney Scapicchio was named to the “Best Lawyers in America”. Only 5% of practicing attorneys receive this award. She has won a number of awards for her zealous advocacy for her clients.
Attorney Scapicchio Featured on Cover of Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2021: Entitled “All Eyes On Her,” Massachusetts Super Lawyers 2021 cover story features how Attorney Rosemary Scapicchio’s experienced and diligent representation for her clients had resulted in long-haul case wins for many of her clients. This feature story details the great lengths that Attorney Rosemary Scapicchio goes for her clients every day. By highlighting Attorney Scapicchio’s tremendous efforts in exonerated client Sean Ellis’ case, this story demonstrates Attorney Scapicchio’s commitment to each client and her dogged determination to expose corruption in the pursuit of justice.
Steven J Topazio
Criminal Lawyer
Steven J Topazio has become one of the Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Boston. He has earned an “AV” Rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings since 2012. The Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are an objective indicator of a lawyer’s high ethical standards and professional ability, generated from the confidential evaluations of judges and fellow lawyers. An AV Preeminent Rated attorney is a significant rating accomplishment for an attorney who is highly ethical and recognized in the practice of law by his peers and is a credit to his attorney profile. Once exclusively used by lawyers as a first screen when they needed to hire a lawyer they did not know personally, the Rating has now become a great way for anyone with internet access to screen a lawyer. The rating represents the pinnacle of professional excellence. As a result of this honor, American Registry LLC has added Attorney Steven J Topazio to The Registry™ of Business and Professional Excellence.
Due to his successes and hard work on behalf of his clients, Attorney Topazio has been selected to the Massachusetts and New England “Super Lawyers” every year since 2015. In order to be named a “Super Lawyer,” an attorney must survive a rigorous selection process. “Super Lawyers” selects attorneys using a patented multiphase selection process. Peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. As a Boston Criminal Defense Attorney, the “Super Lawyers” nomination is a highlight of this attorney profile.
Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a prestigious rating service that recognizes outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. No more than 5 percent of lawyers in Massachusetts are eligible to be named to the Super Lawyers. Attorney Topazio profile as a Premier Boston Criminal Lawyer is a compelling factor earning him nomination that he is proud to share on his attorney profile.
Brad Bailey
Criminal Lawyer
If you are facing serious criminal charges in Massachusetts and the greater New England area, Boston criminal defense attorney Brad Bailey should be your first choice of representation and defense. Having worked for over a decade as highly successful state prosecutor in both NY and MA, and as a federal prosecutor in MA (as well as formerly serving as a County Sheriff), Brad uses his extensive experience and knowledge of law enforcement and criminal prosecutions to provide unparalleled criminal defense for his clients in state and federal courts.
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Brad has been happily married for over 40 years. He is the father of four adult children, and is a grandfather. A college athlete at Harvard himself, Brad was proud to see each of his children attain athletic success at the high school and collegiate levels, and he is well-versed in MIAA rules and regulations, as well as governing codes of discipline of high school and collegiate athletics. Brad is an avid fan of all of Boston’s professional sports teams, and is active in his local community.
The Freedom Trail to Justice: Why You Need Top-Tier Criminal Defense in Boston
Boston, a city steeped in history and innovation, pulsates with a vibrant spirit. Life, however, can take unexpected turns, landing you in a legal predicament. Facing criminal charges in Boston can feel isolating and overwhelming. Here’s where the best criminal defense attorneys step in, becoming your guiding light through the complexities of the legal system. This comprehensive guide explores the invaluable benefits of retaining a skilled Boston criminal defense lawyer who will fight relentlessly to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Navigating the Massachusetts Legal Landscape: Understanding Your Rights
Massachusetts adheres to a well-defined legal system, categorizing crimes as misdemeanors or felonies based on severity. Facing criminal charges, regardless of the type, necessitates understanding your rights and the legal process:
- Know Your Rights: The Fourth Amendment safeguards protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. The Fifth Amendment guarantees your right to remain silent and an attorney. A top-tier Boston criminal defense attorney ensures you understand these crucial rights and empowers you to exercise them effectively throughout the legal proceedings.
- Preserving Evidence: Evidence plays a pivotal role in criminal cases. A skilled Boston lawyer understands the rules of evidence and takes proactive steps to preserve evidence that may be favorable to your case. This could involve interviewing witnesses, requesting body camera footage, or contesting police reports.
- Building a Robust Defense Strategy: The best criminal defense attorneys in Boston meticulously review all aspects of your case, analyze evidence, and develop a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances. This strategy might involve challenging the validity of the arrest, questioning the prosecution’s evidence, or negotiating a plea bargain that minimizes the potential consequences.
- Pre-Trial Negotiations: Many cases are resolved through plea bargains, where you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence. An experienced Boston lawyer negotiates aggressively on your behalf to secure the most favorable plea bargain option, if applicable to your case.
- Trial Representation: If a plea bargain isn’t reached, your lawyer provides steadfast representation in court. They present a compelling defense by challenging the prosecution’s case, calling witnesses, and arguing for a dismissal of charges or acquittal.
Beyond Legal Expertise: The Qualities of a Top-Tier Boston Criminal Defense Lawyer
Not all criminal defense lawyers are created equal. Here’s what sets the best Boston criminal defense attorneys apart:
- Deep Understanding of Massachusetts Criminal Law: Massachusetts has specific laws and court procedures. A lawyer with a proven track record of handling criminal defense cases in Boston understands the nuances of local law and can effectively navigate the legal system on your behalf, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
- Relentless Advocacy and Tenacity: The best Boston criminal defense lawyers are fierce advocates for their clients. They meticulously investigate the details of your case, challenge the prosecution’s arguments, and fight tirelessly to protect your rights and achieve the best possible result.
- Empathy and Understanding: Facing criminal charges can be a highly stressful and emotionally charged experience. Your lawyer should approach your case with empathy, providing emotional support and guidance throughout the process.
- Clear Communication and Accessibility: Clear and consistent communication is vital. A top-tier lawyer keeps you informed throughout the process, answers your questions promptly, and addresses your concerns with clarity and respect.
- Competitive Fees and Flexible Payment Structures: Criminal defense legal fees can vary. Discuss fee structures upfront to ensure transparency and explore options that fit your financial circumstances. Many lawyers offer payment plans or contingency fee arrangements.
Finding the Right Advocate: Resources for Legal Representation in Boston
- Seek Recommendations: Talk to friends, family, or colleagues who have faced criminal charges and inquire about their lawyers.
- Massachusetts Bar Association: Contact the Massachusetts Bar Association for referrals to qualified criminal defense attorneys in Boston.
- Local Bar Associations: Many counties in Massachusetts have local bar associations that offer referral services for legal representation.
- Online Resources: Several online legal directories allow you to search for criminal defense lawyers in Boston based on location, experience, client reviews, and areas of expertise in criminal law.