NiaLena Caravasos

Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Law Office of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC
NiaLena Caravasos
Law Office of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC

Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes; view more

Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 1994

Education: Boston University School of Law

Languages Spoken: English, Greek

Selected to Super Lawyers: 2008 - 2009, 2011 - 2025 Selected to Rising Stars: 2005 - 2006
Virtual Appointments

Law Office of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC

123 S Broad St
Suite 1845
Philadelphia, PA 19109 Visit website

Details

DESCRIBED AS "FIERCE" - 

FEATURED TWICE ON SUPER LAWYERS COVER - 

HONORED AMONG WORLD’S “INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE” - 

HIGH-STAKES FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME LAWYER

One of only two lawyers in the U.S. to be recently selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world, including Nobel prize winners, business leaders, professors, Olympic gold medalists, and other such accomplished individuals, NiaLena was featured in an interview highlighting not only her success in the practice of federal criminal defense and white collar crime but also the manner in which she practices and serves as an inspiration and as a role models to younger individuals.

A driving cornerstone of NiaLena's success is her passionate advocacy and her belief in traveling "the road less traveled by" made so famous by the poet, Robert Frost.

•  Only Philadelphia criminal lawyer ever featured twice on Super Lawyers Cover

•  Spotlighted by Super Lawyers in a feature article entitled "Fierce" 

•  Featured on 2023 Super Lawyers 20th Anniversary Edition Cover and in Cover Story entitled “The Essence Of Being A Good Lawyer”

•  Only criminal defense lawyer ever featured on Super Lawyers cover in Philadelphia Magazine

•  Honored by Super Lawyers as one of the "Top 100" in Pennsylvania

•  Honored by Super Lawyers as one of the "Top 100 Philadelphia"

•  Honored repeatedly by Super Lawyers as one of the "Top 50 Women" in Pennsylvania

Differing from most of her colleagues, NiaLena has tremendous compassion and focuses first on her clients as people. She utilizes a unique all-encompassing approach in an effort to help them during their representation because she realizes that clients who have been caught in the crosshairs of a criminal investigation are typically also dealing with a variety of other serious issues that transcend the confines of their specific legal case.

Differing again from most other criminal lawyers, NiaLena is a graduate from the renowned Wharton School and also has managerial work experience in the international business world. Consequently, she is able to identify with many of the challenges facing white collar crime defendants in a manner that her colleagues cannot. NiaLena realizes first-hand that many of the traditional goals and motivators in the business world often result in a graying and overstepping of the legal boundaries and that business leaders may easily end up jeopardizing their lives, their reputations, their companies, and all that they have struggled to accomplish.

Often setting her own course, NiaLena is known for always putting her clients' interests first: that reputation was initially earned when she was the youngest and only female attorney representing a high-ranking organized crime figure in the federal RICO trial of U.S. v. Joseph Merlino and yet did not hesitate to separate her client, Frank Gambino, and go against the old-boys network of other criminal lawyers representing mafia co-defendants. Her client who emerged from the trial victorious through his acquittals of attempted murder and racketeering charges and with an outcome better than the other defendants was the beneficiary of NiaLena's individual courage, relentlessness, and strategic creativity. NiaLena's closing argument on behalf of Frank Gambino was then chosen in a nationwide contest and featured by the Center for Criminal Justice Advocacy in Houston, and it is still being used to this day by professors around the country as a way to instruct students.

•  "Lifetime Achievement Membership" among America’s Top 100 Attorneys®

•  "Lifetime Achievement Membership" among America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®

•  "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" by The National Trial Lawyers

•  "Best Attorneys Of America" Lifetime Charter Member by Rue Ratings

•  "10 Best" Attorneys in PA and "10 Best" Law Firms in PA by American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

•  "Global Awards Winner - PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year" by Corporate INTL

•  "Leading Lawyer Award Winner - PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year" by Lawyers World

•  Three Best Rated® as one of the Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia

NiaLena has also served not only as lead counsel in numerous serious multi-defendant federal and state criminal cases but also was the youngest and only female attorney representing Senator Vincent Fumo, long regarded as the most powerful politician in Pennsylvania, during his five-month high profile political corruption white collar federal trial.

Throughout the years, NiaLena has achieved successful results in various difficult cases involving federal criminal and white collar crime, including but not limited to:

•  White collar crime;

•  Fraud (i.e. Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Loan Fraud, Bank Fraud, Tax Fraud, Mortgage Fraud, Investment Fraud, Access Device Fraud, Health Care Fraud, Medicare Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Honest Services Fraud, Passport Fraud, Payroll Protection Program Fraud / PPP Fraud, COVID-19 Fraud, etc.);

•  International crimes (i.e. Falsifying Export Documents, Smuggling Goods, etc.);

•  Financial crimes (i.e. Embezzlement, Money Laundering, etc.);

•  Corruption (i.e. Political Corruption, Public Corruption, Bribery, etc.);

•  Obstruction of Justice, False Statements to Law Enforcement, Perjury;

•  Racketeering (RICO) and Organized Crime and Corrupt Organizations;

•  Conspiracy;

•  Illegal Trafficking (i.e. Drug Trafficking, Narcotics Trafficking, Firearms Trafficking, Weapons Trafficking, etc.);

•  Sex Crimes (i.e. Rape, Sexual Abuse, Child Pornography, etc.);

•  Computer Crimes;

•  Cryptocurrencies (i.e. Bitcoin, etc.);

•  Crimes involving Woman-Owned and Minority Businesses;

•  Violent Crimes (i.e. Death Penalty Homicides, Arson, various degrees of Murder, Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, etc.);

•  Federal Sentencing Issues (i.e. Downward Departures, Variances, Mitigation, etc.);

•  Investigations (i.e. Federal Grand Jury Investigations, Criminal Investigations, Internal Investigations, etc.);

•  Mediation.

NiaLena's federal criminal defense practice is primarily focused in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (including Philadelphia and the surrounding counties) but also includes the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, the Washington, D.C. Metro area and Eastern District of Virginia, and multiple jurisdictions in the United States. The depth of her experience includes the defense of cases under investigation by various government agencies, such as:

•  U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS);

•  United States Secret Service (USSS);

•  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI);

•  Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA);

•  Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF);

•  Office of Inspector General (OIG);

•  National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Inspector General (NASA OIG);

•  U.S. Department of the Navy;

•  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE);

•  Internal Revenue Service (IRS); 

•  United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS);

•  Small Business Administration, Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG).

A frequent guest speaker at The Wharton School regarding the ethics of white collar crime, NiaLena credits much of her success to her beloved mentor and former law partner, F. Emmett Fitzpatrick. NiaLena also very much appreciates the wonderful reviews posted by her clients and also by fellow lawyers on Avvo.com, SuperLawyers.com, and Google.

As expressed by a fellow attorney during the annual Super Lawyers' nomination process, "She lives and dies for her clients. If I was in trouble, I would want to be represented by her." NiaLena's efforts to never leave a stone unturned have been publicly recognized by federal judges, the press, her colleagues, and her former clients.  In this regard, NiaLena invites all readers to visit her website for a more comprehensive discussion on her career.

Practice areas

Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: White Collar

Focus areas

Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Criminal Law - Federal, Drug & Alcohol Violations, False Accusations, Felony, Murder, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, White Collar Crime

  • 50% Criminal Defense
  • 50% Criminal Defense: White Collar

First Admitted: 1993, Massachusetts

Professional Webpage: https://nialena.com/my-practice

Bar/Professional Activity:
  • Federal Criminal Bar for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1997-2024), 2024
  • Women's White Collar Defense Association (2004-2024), 2024
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania (1997-2024), 2024
  • The National Trial Lawyers (by invitation only) (2012-2024), 2024
  • The National Trial Lawyers, Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association (by invitation only)(2012-2024), 2024
  • Association of Federal Defense Attorneys (AFDA) (2010-2024), 2024
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, NACDL (1997-2024), 2024
  • Criminal Justice Section, Philadelphia Bar Association (1997-2024), 2024
  • American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys (by invitation only) (2013-2019), 2019
  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) (1997-2024), 2024
  • U.S. Supreme Court (1997-2024), 2024
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit (1997-2024), 2024
  • The College of Physicians of Philadelphia; Section on Medicine, Ethics & the Law (by invitation only) (2010-2024), 2024
  • University of Pennsylvania, Association of Alumnae, 2024
  • Mentor, Women in the Profession Committee, Pennsylvania Bar Association (2014-2024), 2024
  • Wharton Alumni Club, 2024
  • Pennsylvania Bar (1994-2024), 2024
  • Massachusetts Bar (1993-2024), 2024
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
  • Successfully represented a medical doctor and university professor during a very intense and challenging internal criminal investigation by a Philadelphia-area hospital health system. Following a lengthy investigation, no disciplinary action was taken against the doctor and the doctor was not referred to the federal government for prosecution., 2024
  • Successfully represented a major U.S. airline employee in a federal white collar crime case involving multiple codefendants and staggering economic loss. Following painstaking analysis of a plethora of financial documents along with expert analysis of the client's traumatic past and resultant mental health issues, NiaLena was able to show how they served as a catalyst to the client's involvement in this case and save the young client from losing her freedom and her child., 2024
  • Successfully represented in an ongoing federal criminal investigation in the Washington D.C. Metro area spanning years the majority shareholder of a multi-million dollar company doing business in multiple states that came under scrutiny for fraud relating to bidding for government contracts. During the grueling and multi-year white collar criminal investigation, NiaLena was able to uncover the painful dynamics in the client's upbringing and marital past that came together in the perfect storm and resulted not only in the offenses charged but also in the severe and debilitating trauma that the client was continuing to experience to this day. Recognizing that the client would likely not survive a prison sentence especially during the COVID-19 pandemic due to advanced age and multiple serious medical issues, NiaLena embarked upon a pathway of tireless and seemingly endless endeavors for 5 ½ years to prepare the elderly and frail client for court proceedings and testimony and to dissect every nuance of the case together with a forensic psychological expert in order to develop unique and persuasive arguments to try and keep the client out of prison. In the end, the creative and relentless advocacy and sheer tireless persistence on an almost daily basis for years resulted in such a victorious outcome that not only was the client saved from a prison sentence but also the client received the minimum amount of probation allowed by the law without even any supervision and can now look forward to enjoying the "golden years" of life in freedom. , 2024
  • Successfully represented a client under investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and charged with Transmitting Counterfeit Money Orders through the U.S. Mail. During a lengthy investigation spanning a course of five years that included extensive medical and psychiatric testing, NiaLena was able to successfully develop medical evidence showing that the client had previously suffered a stroke that had likely impacted her cognitive abilities and judgment to a degree that it affected her actions which resulted in criminal activity. NiaLena further analyzed and uncovered the client's very troubled past and prior suicide attempts and worked closely with the client in getting treatment and stabilizing the mental health issues. In the end, the judge hearing the case was very moved by the extraordinarily unique circumstances that had come into play and that resulted in the unfortunate commission of the crime as well as the client's extraordinary efforts in rehabilitation and ultimately was convinced not to impose any prison term for the client., 2021
  • Following intense analysis, successfully advised business owners who had come under scrutiny by the federal government for alleged improprieties relating to the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans granted to their multiple businesses and prevented federal white collar fraud charges from being brought against them., 2020
  • Successfully represented and prevented any charges being filed against a client who was under federal criminal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for allegations of laundering illegal contraband via Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin) on the Dark Web, 2020
  • Successfully represented and prevented any charges being filed against an international engineer who was under federal criminal investigation in two different states for allegations of illegal transport of narcotics that are legalized in the first state but not in the other, 2020
  • Successfully represented and prevented any charges being filed against a Defense Contractor of military hardware who was under federal criminal investigation in Washington, D.C. by the Office Of Inspector General (OIG) and the Department of the Navy for allegations of violating federal government protocol for security clearances, 2020
  • Successfully represented and prevented any charges being filed against a businesswoman who was under federal grand jury investigation by the Office Of Inspector General (OIG) for allegations of fraud and misrepresentations while bidding for federal government contracts, 2019
  • Successfully represented a pharmacist in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania regarding allegations of conspiracy to distribute opioidsdistribution of opioidsobstruction of justice, and false statements to federal law enforcement officials. Following aggressive and strategic representation in a federal criminal case that lasted 3 1/2 years, succeeded in obtaining immunity for the client and preventing prosecution and also succeeded in helping the client begin to conquer his gambling addition as well as very serious mental health issues. Additionally, the client was not only able to maintain his career as a Pharm.D. as well as his license, but he has also been restored to a good life as a beloved husband, father, and son. As reflected on the client's full review on Avvo.com entitled "Pharmacist in trouble touched by an angel in his shoulder,"the client shares that "I am a hard headed man which got my way till i dealt with NiaLena. I could not win over her and she broke me down piece by piece everything about me and every lie i ever told. I decided to listen to her and man am i grateful for that. She opened my eyes and reached deep down in me to find a very troubled man lost at the mercy of the law and the world. I can't find the words to describe her as only my heart knows. She took me from the depth of destruction and surfaced me. She gave me a new life.I am a changed man because of her.... She is the best by far. She is a strong woman that will never back down and she has great communication skills and pays attention to detail with sound judgement. When dealing with the DEA/FBI is no easy task, without NiaLena i can only imagine where my life would be. I am crying now and these are happy tears. She helped me not only with the case but also in all areas of my life. She became family. She won the case for me and she has won a friend for life.... I lost my mother to cancer but if she was here she will deeply hugged you for saving her son.", 2018
  • Successfully represented and prevented any charges being filed against a Vice-President of the Federal Reserve Bank who was under criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for allegations of possession of child pornography as well as misuse of government property, 2018
  • Successfully represented the owner of a national healthcare company based in Philadelphia during a lengthy internal corporate investigation within a major financial institutionas well as a federal criminal investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) spanning three jurisdictions (Southern District of New York, District of New Jersey, and Eastern District of Pennsylvania) concerning allegations of white collar crime, including economic fraudbriberyincome tax fraud, and money laundering and prevented any charges from being filed against him whatsoever in any jurisdiction., 2018
  • First degree murder death penalty case (Following intense advocacy in an effort to suppress two confessions by the alleged shooter, NiaLena was victorious in defeating the charge of first degree murder and the death penalty. The client, who had been raised in a ghetto environment and had dropped out of school, subsequently learned to read and write, passed his GED exam, and was accepted to a local university where he was on the Dean’s List every semester. The client has also written publicly and has described NiaLena as the most notable person that he met during his travels throughout the criminal justice system. Please visit the Case Successes page on NiaLena's website for more details as well as Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "You Are Appreciated.")
  • Mail fraud conspiracy involving hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to an international corporation (Successfully represented a business consultant in a federal white collar crime case in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania during more than two years of very intense representation. Through her zeal, NiaLena uncovered the client’s mental health challenges and compelling life difficulties that occurred in his native land during his childhood and also after he emigrated to the U.S. and that have haunted him all these years, thereby playing a seismic role regarding the reason that he found himself involved in this criminal activity. This psychiatric analysis, coupled with the use of experts and persistence, resulted in a victory for the client who was able to avoid losing his life and career and instead was able to begin a new road in life. Please visit the Case Successes page on NiaLena's website for more details as well as Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "More Than A Defense Attorney – A Friend & Fierce Advocate Of Her Clients.")
  • Conspiracy to internationally traffic in counterfeit goods and conspiracy to commit passport fraud, along with allegations of an alleged terrorism connection (As a result of relentless and strategic advocacy over the course of one year, coupled with meticulous analysis of audio/video surveillance recorded by a confidential informant, charges were eventually dismissed against the client. NiaLena was also victorious in convincing the government that her Arab American client from New York had no terrorist connection. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "Second Chance.")
  • Corporate tax audit by the IRS of multiple businesses located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The IRS matters were successfully resolved and no criminal charges were filed following intense and strategic coordination with a forensic accountant for 1 1/2 years.
  • Rape and sexual assault (As a result of aggressive and proactive pre-indictment investigation and advocacy, NiaLena was victorious in her representation of a university student and convinced law enforcement that no crimes occurred and that the sexual activity was consensual. The young man subsequently returned to college to finish his studies and now has a promising career overseas. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "Best Lawyer Possible.")
  • Federal criminal drug trafficking and firearms trials (Victorious in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in two trials against the same client.)
  • Second Opinions (Frequently consulted by lawyers and clients from multiple federal jurisdictions in the country to evaluate various federal criminal cases and provide comprehensive second opinions regarding how to achieve the best possible outcomes for the clients.)
  • Possession of child pornography (Victorious in convincing the federal government to drop all criminal charges against a fellow attorney in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania following a federal criminal Grand Jury investigation.)
  • Witness tampering, obstruction of justice, false statements, and misuse of government property (Successfully represented a top-tier federal government official within the U.S. Department of Justice who was under investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for allegations of criminal activity within the federal institution that he was in command of. Following one year of intense advocacy in cities up and down the Northeast corridor, the filing of criminal charges was prevented and the client avoided catastrophic injury to his life and reputation and maintained his career within DOJ. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled “The World Will Never Know My Name, Thanks To NiaLena.”)
  • Federal criminal drug trafficking and firearms (Victorious representation in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in two federal trials for the same client, who was first acquitted of multiple firearms counts and who then also won a new trial regarding the drug trafficking counts.)
  • Mediation (NiaLena was retained by a senior partner as well as another member of their law firm because she was the only person that they could both agree upon that they trusted enough to be strong but yet fair in trying to resolve their emotionally and financially complex disputes that threatened the existence of their law firm. Through her fair and steady reasoning, NiaLena was able to identify common ground so as to diffuse the highly-charged situation in order to build a necessary bridge between the parties and negotiate a resolution that not only addressed the legal issues but also helped repair the relationship of the parties. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "Super Lawyer!!!")
  • National Security Agency (NSA) employee with the highest clearance levels, Top Secret (TS) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), working overseas in the area of global intelligence (After a six-month investigation by the NSA for illegal activity that supposedly transpired when he was working in the Middle East, the NSA employee was cleared of any improprieties and all of his security clearances were reinstated.)
  • Racketeering (RICO) Conspiracy, Attempted Arson, and Extortion (Successfully represented a high-ranking leader in the Ironworkers Union Local 401 in federal court with relentless drive and pinpoint strategy over the course of one and a half years in a multi-defendant criminal case with voluminous electronic surveillance. Please visit Avvo.com in order to read the full review posted by the client and entitled "Meticulous NiaLena.")
  • Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges against a medical doctor (Saved the career of a medical doctor from charges that threatened his ability to maintain his license and practice medicine. Racing against time, NiaLena furiously charted a course of intensely aggressive and proactive pretrial representation and emerged victorious with all charges withdrawn only four months after the doctor's arrest. The doctor is now blessed with a promising career where he is able to save patients in need. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "This lawyer saved my career and life.")
  • Methamphetamine distribution charges in a case described in the press as the "largest meth bust ever in the city of Philadelphia" (All charges against the client were dismissed on the morning of trial after aggressive pretrial representation over the course of almost 1 1/2 years.)
  • Multiple counts of conspiracy and sophisticated high-tech firearms trafficking charges (Successfully represented a client charged in two separate and unrelated federal criminal cases, both of which received headline news in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Even though the client was the lead defendant in both cases, NiaLena nevertheless prevented enhancements for leadership role and obstruction of justice and thus very significantly reduced the client's exposure.)
  • Homosexual sex offenses (Following aggressive advocacy in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of her client, NiaLena was victorious in making certain that all charges were dropped before trial).
  • Federal criminal tax fraud case and criminal tax fraud conspiracy case heralded as perhaps the largest in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (After four years of grueling analysis not just of the government’s evidence but also of the client's compelling life circumstances that set the stage for his role in the offenses, coupled with relentless and strategic advocacy, the accountant client lost neither his life nor his family to the prison system. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "The First Step in the Right Direction.")
  • Reversed a 22-year-old first degree murder conviction (Won a new trial for the defendant who had been serving a life sentence without parole after fighting during three years of evidentiary hearings in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.)
  • Massive mail and wire fraud conspiracy involving thousands of victims and many millions of dollars in loss that was described on a CNBC primetime special as "one of the largest known advance fee schemes in U.S. history" (Victorious representation of a commercial broker in a federal white collar crime case in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Following two years of non-stop analysis and in-depth dissection of the client’s psychological trauma that held the key to his involvement in this federal criminal case, the young man was able to avoid catastrophic injury to his life and reputation and has charted a new course in life after successfully turning his life around. Please visit the Case Successes page on NiaLena's website for more details as well as Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "My Moral Compass.")
  • Sending threatening communications to the head coach of an NFL team through the U.S. mail (After extensive exploration of “diminished capacity,” NiaLena emerged victorious in securing a variance from the prison term recommended by the federal sentencing guidelines and obtained a probationary sentence for the client in this high-profile case that received nationwide media exposure.)
  • Massive loan and wire fraud conspiracy involving several millions of dollars in loss to numerous lending institutions (Successfully represented a businesswoman in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania in a federal white collar crime case where, as a result of key efforts early on, NiaLena succeeded in reducing by half the loss amount with which her client was charged. Following two years of relentless representation, NiaLena persistently struggled and eventually succeeded in helping her client to acknowledge her very serious and painful life circumstances which resulted in her crimes in this case. NiaLena then proceeded to meticulously and strategically devise a very complicated and unusual argument in an attempt to save her client from spending 15 years in prison and, in the end, managed to win a sentence of slightly over one year. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "NiaLena Is Awesome.")
  • Multiple counts of conspiracy, corrupt organizations, and federal drug trafficking charges (Facing not only one but two separate and unrelated multi-defendant indictments, both of which made headline news and charged the client as the lead defendant in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and also in the Court of Common Pleas and left him vulnerable to potential mandatory and consecutive sentences of at least 10 years up to possible sentences of 15 years to life in each case. Following 3 1/2 years of the most relentless, grueling, and intense advocacy, during which time multiple victorious arguments were devised and put forth on the client's behalf, the outcome was that the client received only a 6-month period of incarceration in a federal facility followed by a 6-month term in a federal halfway house for both cases and, as a result, was able to have a fresh start in life. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "The Person Who Gave Me A New Life.")
  • Cyber Sex with a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography (Following 3 years of intense representation, successfully prevented the filing of any charges against a client who was under federal criminal investigation by the Department of Homeland Security for Cyber Sex with a Minor and Possession of Child Pornography.)
  • Highly publicized federal organized crime case of "United States v. Joseph Merlino, et al." (As described in the "Super Lawyers" feature article entitled "Fierce" that was written about NiaLena, she is known for always putting her clients' interests first. That reputation was initially earned when she was the youngest and only female attorney representing a high-ranking organized crime figure in the federal RICO trial of U.S. v. Merlino and yet did not hesitate to separate her client, Frank Gambino, and go against the old-boys network of other criminal lawyers representing mafia co-defendants. Her client who emerged from the trial victorious through his acquittals of attempted murder and racketeering charges and with an outcome better than the other defendants was the beneficiary of NiaLena's individual courage, relentlessness, and strategic creativity. Please visit the Case Successes page on NiaLena's website to read more about the press coverage entitled Mob On Trial: For The Defense ... The Greatest Lawyers On The East Coast).
  • Death penalty homicide trial (Following a one-month trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas,  NiaLena saved her client from the death penalty even though he had a lifelong criminal history of violent felony convictions and had allegedly killed a government witness in an effort to prevent him from testifying.)
  • Federal criminal charges involving online pharmacies (Victorious in helping a medical doctor escape any prison time and recapture his life and medical career, both of which had been on a downward spiral. Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "NiaLena Is More Than Just An Attorney.")
  • Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, statutory sexual assault, and sexual abuse of children (Victorious in securing acquittals at trial involving two alleged minor male victims in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.)
  • Serious drug trafficking charges (Saved a disabled military veteran charged federally in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as a result of criminal activity that stemmed from a long-standing addiction born out of injuries sustained during military service. At the conclusion of more than a year of intense representation, the veteran not only escaped a prison sentence but also serves as a role model to others seeking to conquer their own addictions as well as to young people. Please visit Avvo.com in order to read the full client review entitled "A Life Changing Experience.")
Videos:
  • One of only two lawyers in the U.S. selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world, including Nobel prize winners, business leaders, professors, Olympic gold medalists, and other such accomplished individuals, NiaLena was featured in an interview highlighting not only her success in the practice of federal criminal defense and white collar crime but also the manner in which she practices and serves as an inspiration and as a role models to younger individuals., "Inspirational People" Interview, Federal Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime, Criminal Defense
  • ABC News coverage from the Federal RICO Organized Crime Trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino et al. and NiaLena's representation of alleged mafia made member, Frank Gambino., ABC News coverage from Merlino Federal Mob Trial, Federal Criminal Defense
  • ABC News coverage from the Federal Political Corruption Trial of United States v. Vincent Fumo and NiaLena's representation of powerhouse Senator Vincent Fumo., Senator Fumo's Federal Corruption Trial
  • NBC News coverage from the Federal RICO Organized Crime Trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino et al. and NiaLena's representation of alleged mafia made member, Frank Gambino., NBC News coverage from Merlino Federal Mob Trial
  • Fox News coverage from the Federal RICO Organized Crime Trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino et al. and NiaLena's representation of alleged mafia made member, Frank Gambino., Fox News coverage from Merlino Federal Mob Trial
  • "AV Preeminent Lawyer" Rating by Martindale-Hubbell., Martindale-Hubbell Video
Representative Clients:
  • NiaLena's federal criminal clients vary and have ranged from an NSA employee with the highest security clearance levels working overseas in the area of global intelligence, to a Washington D.C. senior executive of a Fortune 500 financial company, to medical doctors and pharmacists and nursing professionals from various states in the U.S., to a powerful Senator, to a top-level federal government official within the U.S. Department of Justice, to a high-ranking federal government official from the central banking system of the U.S., to the alleged kingpins of major drug trafficking organization, to an alleged made member of La Cosa Nostra (LCN), to Arab Americans and Russian-Ukranian Americans and other ethnic backgrounds, to the Chairman and CEO of an out-of-state mortgage company, to a global exporter of automobiles to the Middle East and Far East, to fellow lawyers, to engineers and scientists, to police officers, to a disabled veteran who proudly served our country, to the principal of a nationwide advertising agency, to an Olympic boxing hopeful, to a world-touring musician, to university students, and to many other fellow citizens of our community.  Please visit NiaLena's profile on Avvo.com to read various reviews posted by former clients
Pro bono/Community Service:
  • Over the past several years and continuing in 2024, NiaLena is consistently invited on multiple occasions back to her alma mater, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, to serve as Legal Advisor to MBA students regarding the pros and cons of their case study in which an Investor is suing a Brokerage Firm and Broker for the alleged improper management of the Investor’s multi-million dollar portfolio. Representing the Brokerage Firm as well as the Broker and the Investor on alternate occasions, NiaLena assessed the merits of the securities lawsuit against both her Brokerage Firm team and, alternatively, her Broker team and her Investor team as well as the divergent interests between the Broker and the Brokerage Firm and the Investor and provided strategic advice to the Wharton MBA students regarding their best options in conducting a settlement negotiation and trying to secure the most favorable outcome for the Brokerage Firm and, alternatively, the Broker and also the Investor in addition to weighing the implications regarding the alternative of proceeding to arbitration. While working with the MBA students in analyzing all points of contention, NiaLena focused not only on legal strategy in order to help the Brokerage Firm and, alternatively, the Broker and the Investor prevail but also on how to best deal with the numerous ethical issues and issues of professional responsibility and transparency in the securities industry., 2024
  • Over the past several years and continuing in 2024, NiaLena is proud to serve as a mentor through the years to other women in the legal profession who often seek her guidance and insight. In addition to informal mentoring, NiaLena ia a Mentor through the Women in the Profession Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association., 2024
  • Starting in 2015 and continuing through the years until 2024, NiaLena is an Ambassador for The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and honored to serve on the Alumni Committee that interviews applicants who have applied for admission to Wharton., 2024
Honors/Awards:
  • Honored in the "Top 100" Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania, which recognizes the best of the best among lawyers in all practice areas, in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, Super Lawyers, 2024, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Honored in the "Top 100 Philadelphia" Super Lawyers, which recognizes the best of the best among lawyers in all practice areas, for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020, Super Lawyers, 2024, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Honored as one of the "Top 50 Women" in Pennsylvania by Super Lawyers for 9 years starting in 2015 and continuing in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 which recognizes the "Top 50 Women" across the state among all legal practice areas, Super Lawyers, 2024, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • Honored by her peers and selected as a "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, and 2008 as well as a "Pennsylvania Rising Star Super Lawyer" in 2006 and 2005, Super Lawyers, 2024, Super Lawyers, 2024
  • One of only two lawyers in the U.S. selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world, including Nobel prize winners, business leaders, professors, Olympic gold medalists, and other such accomplished individuals., Inspirational People, 2024
  • Featured on 20th Anniversary Edition "Super Lawyers" Cover, Super Lawyers, 2023
  • Spotlighted in 20th Anniversary Edition "Super Lawyers" Cover Story Entitled "The Essence Of Being A Good Lawyer", Super Lawyers, 2023
  • Honored by Avvo with the "Clients' Choice" Award for "White Collar Crime" in 2012 to 2024, Avvo, 2024
  • Named as a "Top 10" Criminal Defense Attorney in Pennsylvania from 2015 and continuing until 2024 by The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2024
  • NiaLena is honored to have been awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Membership" among America’s Top 100 Attorneys® starting in 2016 and continuing until 2024, America’s Top 100 Attorneys®, 2024
  • Highest professional rating (AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated) by Martindale-Hubbell from 2003 and continuing until 2024, AV® Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024
  • Honored by Martindale-Hubbell with the "Client Distinction Award" for 2013 and continuing until 2024, Martindale-Hubbell, 2024
  • Selected by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys (AIOCLA) as one of the "10 Best" Attorneys in Pennsylvania starting in 2014 and continuing until 2024 for Client Satisfaction in the practice area of Criminal Law, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys, 2024
  • Recognized by Avvo as a "Top Federal Crime Lawyer" and a "Top White Collar Crime Lawyer" with a "Superb" rating (10.0 out of 10) from 2009 and continuing until 2024, Avvo, 2024
  • Recognized by Avvo with the "Clients' Choice" Award for "Federal Crime" in 2012 and continuing until 2024, Avvo, 2024
  • Selected by Rue Ratings as one of the “Best Attorneys Of America” and invited to become a Lifetime Charter Member starting in 2014 and continuing until 2024. This distinction is extended to the 100 “Best Attorneys” in Pennsylvania and to less than one percent (1%) of the most qualified and accomplished attorneys in the United States, “Best Attorneys Of America”, 2024
  • Honored in 2015 and continuing until 2024 as part of the top 1% by her inclusion among America's Most Honored Professionals, a distinction which is a cross-industry and cross-profession honor based on quantitative analysis of authenticated public recognitions and is awarded only to successful individuals who have been publicly recognized for professional excellence with multiple honors from trade groups, peers, clients, and the press, America's Most Honored Professionals, 2024
  • Honored beginning in 2012 as the first female criminal defense attorney in Pennsylvania invited to join the "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" and continuously honored since then until 2024 where membership is obtained by special invitation from The National Trial Lawyers and extended only to those "Top 100" in every state who exemplify superior qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile as trial lawyers, "Top 100 Trial Lawyers", The National Trial Lawyers, 2024
  • NiaLena is honored to be named by Three Best Rated® as one of the Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia starting in 2016 and continuing until 2024, Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers, Three Best Rated®, 2024
  • NiaLena is honored to have been awarded the "Lifetime Achievement Membership" among America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys® starting in 2018 and continuing through 2024, America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®, 2024
  • Honored to be selected in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than 1/2 of 1% of American lawyers, where fellowship is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation and superior ethical reputation. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, and Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment, Litigation Counsel of America, 2023
  • Selected in 2020 and continuing in 2022 as one of the Top 20 Criminal Defense Law Firms in PA by Expertise, Expertise, 2022
  • Honored by the American Society of Legal Advocates as one of the "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers" in Pennsylvania for 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, where membership is extended to only the top 2% of lawyers "who combine stellar legal credentials with proven commitment to community engagement, leadership, and the highest professional standards", 2019
  • Named as the "Criminal Defense Law Firm of the Year in Pennsylvania" for 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015 as well as the "Pennsylvania Law Firm Of The Year in Criminal Law and White Collar Crime" for 2010 by Corporate INTL Magazine and is the only PA law firm selected in each category, 2018
  • Selected as a "Global Awards Winner" in 2018, 2017, 2016, 2012 and 2011 and named as the only "Pennsylvania Criminal Defense & White Collar Crime Attorney of the Year" by Corporate INTL Magazine. The Global Awards "merit leading firms in their chosen specialisms throughout the world" and "commemorate those who have shown excellence not only in expertise but in service and during a difficult global economic downturn", 2018
  • Selected by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys (AIOCLA) as one of the "10 Best" Female Attorneys in Pennsylvania in 2016 for Client Satisfaction in the practice area of Criminal Law, 2016
  • Honored by Martindale-Hubbell among the "Top-Rated Legal Leaders" for 2013 and 2014 and 2015, 2015
  • Selected by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys (AIOCLA) as one of the "10 Best" Law Firms in Pennsylvania in 2015 for Client Satisfaction in the practice area of Criminal Law, 2015
  • Awarded the M&A International Global Award in both Criminal Law and White Collar Crime for 2013 and 2014, an honor that is bestowed upon "firms that are truly leaders within their chosen areas of specialization." The M&A International Annual Awards programs accumulate votes from over 163 countries globally and "provide a benchmark of the very best of the best industry leaders, exemplary teams and distinguished organizations, based on the simple principles of veracity, accuracy and insight", 2014
  • Featured on 2013 "Super Lawyers" Cover in "Philadelphia Magazine"
  • Spotlighted in Feature Article entitled "Fierce" (PA Super Lawyers, 2013)
  • NiaLena's closing argument on behalf of her client, Frank Gambino, in the federal mob racketeering trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino was subsequently selected among nationwide submissions and spotlighted as the featured defense advocate by Center for Criminal Justice Advocacy in Houston and is also being used to this day as a teaching tool by professors nationwide
  • Honored as a “2013 Top Rated Lawyer in White Collar - Criminal Defense” by American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell.
  • NiaLena's law firm is among only 5% of the law firms in the United States repeatedly recognized in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™
  • Honored as the only “Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year - Pennsylvania” recipient in 2012 of both the Lawyers World Leading Lawyer Award as well as the Lawyers World Law Award, both of which “recognize a select number of leading professional firms and lawyers across the globe for their individual areas of specialization, within their geographical location.”  Although a number of factors are considered during the judging process, the lawyers selected are those “that are noted for having a high degree of ability in complex situations” and “those that continually innovate” and “perform to exceptional levels during the most difficult period that the global economy has experienced for decades”
  • Honored as the only “Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year - Pennsylvania” recipient in 2013 of the Lawyers World Law Award, which “recognizes a select number of leading professional firms and lawyers across the globe for their individual areas of specialization, within their geographical location.”  Although a number of factors are considered during the judging process, the lawyers selected are those “that are noted for having a high degree of ability in complex situations” and “those that continually innovate” and “perform to exceptional levels during the most difficult period that the global economy has experienced for decades”
  • Recently profiled by Main Line Today in the 2009 "Top Lawyers" edition
  • Spotlighted among the “Top Rated Lawyers in Criminal Defense: White Collar” in the October 2012 issues of both The American Lawyer and Corporate Counsel which have nationwide distribution, including Capitol Hill and Member’s Offices at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
  • Recognized as a "Top Northeast Lawyer" in America for Criminal Defense by Avvo and featured in the November / December 2011 issue of Avvo's Arrive Magazine
  • NiaLena has been recognized among the most elite women in the legal industry through her inclusion in the Martindale-Hubbell® Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ in the area of "Criminal Trial Practice"
  • Law School Honors -- (a) Commencement Award (BNA Law Student Award); (b) American Jurisprudence Award (Criminal Trial Practice); (c) Edward F. Hennessey Scholar; Commencement Speaker to the Faculty
  • Graduated with honors (cum laude) from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
Educational Background:
  • The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, B.S. in Economics , Graduated May 1988 (Cum Laude), Dual Major in Multinational Management and Marketing Boston University School of Law (Juris Doctor, May 1993); Honors included (1) Commencement Award (BNA Law Student Award), (2) American Jurisprudence Award (Criminal Trial Practice), (3) Edward F. Hennessey Scholar, and (4) Commencement Speaker to the Faculty
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
  • Tapping into her federal criminal trial experience, nationally recognized Philadelphia federal criminal defense and white collar crime attorney NiaLena Caravasos was invited to judge the largest invitational law school mock trial competition in the country during the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final competitions hosted by the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, UCLA School of Law, and The Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and including numerous other law schools such as Harvard, Berkeley, Temple, and many others. Sitting as a judge in the retrial following the conviction in 1998 of a woman for killing her husband allegedly for economic benefit, NiaLena listened to multiple prosecution and defense teams from competing law schools present opening statements and closing arguments as well as cross-examine forensic expert witnesses in electrostatic fingerprinting in light of newly discovered evidence. NiaLena ultimately scored the students on their direct and cross examination skills, their objections, and their courtroom presence and also gave them feedback on how to improve their advocacy skills in the future. , 2024
  • One of only two lawyers in the U.S. selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world, including Nobel prize winners, business leaders, professors, Olympic gold medalists, and other such accomplished individuals, NiaLena was featured in an interview highlighting not only her success in the practice of federal criminal defense and white collar crime but also the manner in which she practices and serves as an inspiration and as a role models to younger individuals., 2024
  • NiaLena was invited to judge law students from numerous top trial advocacy programs in the U.S. in the American Association for Justice (AAJ) regional tournament, one of the oldest and most prestigious law school trial competitions in the country., 2024
  • NiaLena Caravasos Interviewed and Quoted in Article Entitled “Why Aren’t You as Good as the Fraud Investigators on TV?”, 2024
  • CLE Instructor on White Collar Fraud to Joint J.D./MBA Class at the The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, 2024
  • NiaLena Caravasos Honored Once Again To Be Invited By Her Alma Mater To Advise Wharton MBA Students On Negotiation versus Litigation Analysis and Strategy Regarding Securities Fraud, 2024
  • NiaLena was invited once again back to her alma mater, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, to serve as legal advisor to joint Penn Law and Wharton MBA students preparing to successfully negotiate a settlement or proceed to litigation in a matter alleging securities and financial fraud. In teaching the future lawyers and business leaders how to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their case along with the ethical considerations in an effort to figure out how to best proceed, NiaLena took a unique approach and urged them to focus on the teachings of "The Art of War" by the ancient Chinese general and philosopher, Sun Tzu. , 2024
  • NiaLena Caravasos, was recently consulted by George Mason University in a Ph.D. dissertation research study aimed at understanding how federal criminal defense attorneys evaluate evidence and advise clients regarding their options of whether to proceed to trial or negotiate a guilty plea. During this process, NiaLena reviewed various hypothetical case studies and worked with GMU in helping them to better understand how federal criminal defense attorneys evaluate numerous critical factors, including but not limited to the facts of the case, the best possible outcome for the defendant, the presence and viability of physical evidence, the reliability of witness statements, the trial judge, the jury pool, the presence of other co-defendants, the issue of restitution, whether indeed the client is guilty, the reasonableness of the prosecutor, whether the plea agreement proposed is fair, the value system of the defendant, the viability of the defense arguments at trial, the likelihood of conviction at trial, the strength of the evidence, any prior convictions that the defendant may have, and the defendant's specific life circumstances including ageand physical health and family and work and mental health among other factors., 2024
  • NiaLena was recently consulted by Boston University School of Law regarding a graduate study focusing on ascertaining what constitutes the best lawyering skills within the modern realities of the practice, specifically relating to attorney-client communications., 2024
  • Tapping into her federal mafia trial experience, NiaLena was invited to judge law students from numerous top trial advocacy programs in the U.S. that were trying a first degree murder case stemming from a mob hit in a national law school mock trial competition hosted by the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law., 2023
  • NiaLena was invited to judge law students from numerous top trial advocacy programs in the U.S. in a national law school mock trial competition entitled "Trial by Combat.", 2023
  • Selected to be interviewed at West Chester University as a role model for students interested in the practice of Criminal Defense., 2022
  • NiaLena was recently consulted by the University of Alabama regarding a forensic psychological research study aimed at understanding how federal criminal defense attorneys evaluate evidence when determining a defendant's competency to stand trial., 2021
  • NiaLena Caravasos Honored To Advise Wharton MBA Students On Securities Negotiations, 2020
  • NiaLena Caravasos Interviewed and Quoted in The Guardian Article Entitled “US prison sentences could vary by up to 63% depending on judge – study”, 2019
  • Recently Interviewed by Super Lawyers and Quoted in the Thomson Reuters White Paper Entitled “FROM ONE-STAR SERVICE TO FIVE-STAR OPPORTUNITY: How Law Firms Can Create a Competitive Advantage Through Client Experience”, 2019
  • Recently interviewed by Super Lawyers and quoted in the Thomson Reuters Article entitled “Solve your firm’s pricing and payment collection problems”, 2019
  • Frequent guest speaker on white collar crime as well as ethics in Leadership programs of the Management Department at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Examples of various cases discussed include U.S. v. Michael Milken, Enron (U.S. v. Kenneth L. Lay and Jeffrey K. Skilling), U.S. v. Martha Stewart, and U.S. v. Bernard L. Madoff), 2019
  • Guest lecturer between 2013 and 2019 on the growing intersection between forensic psychiatry and federal criminal defense at the Department of Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatric Fellowship Program of the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, 2019
  • Interviewed and Quoted in May 2018 in Philadelphia Inquirer Article Entitled "Even for 'Skinny Joey' Merlino, there's always a first time", 2018
  • Interviewed and Quoted in June 2018 in Philadelphia Inquirer Article Entitled "Plea deal no bargain for cop killers", 2018
  • Guest speaker on the practice of federal criminal defense and white collar crime at The Wharton School and the Lauder Institute for Management and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, 2018
  • Recently interviewed by Super Lawyers and quoted in their 2018 article entitled "LEGAL TIPS FOR SAFE INJECTION FACILITIES IN PHILADELPHIA - Medical professionals and opioid users need to know the dangers", 2018
  • NiaLena Caravasos Interviewed and Quoted in Article Entitled “Bitcoin: The New Way to Receive Payment, Or Trouble in The Making?”, 2017
  • Co- Author contributor to Dr. Robert Sadoff's most recent book, The Evolution of Forensic Psychiatry: History, Current Developments, Future Directions, which was published in 2015 by Oxford University Press, 2015
  • Guest speaker at the University of Pennsylvania in an effort to educate university students and members of the National Youth Rights Association regarding their civil rights and the best ways to exercise those rights
  • Co-author with her former law partner, F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, an article entitled "Ineffective Assistance of Counsel", which was published in The Philadelphia Lawyer, The Forum, and The Richmond Journal of Law and the Public Interest
  • Co-author of the book, Inside the Minds: Jury Selection in Criminal Cases, 2013 ed. published by Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business, in which NiaLena focuses her writing on “The Artistic Science of Jury Selection and Trials”
  • Frequently called upon by The Legal Intelligencer, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and other news organizations to offer unique commentary on current legal issues
  • Lecturer in CLE seminars at PBI Criminal Law Symposium
Other Outstanding Achievements:
  • NiaLena's closing argument on behalf of Frank Gambino in the highly publicized organized crime trial of U.S. v. Joseph Merlino was chosen in a nationwide contest and featured by the Center for Criminal Justice Advocacy in Houston. It is still being used to this day by professors around the country as a way to instruct students.
Industry Groups:
  • Federal Criminal Defense

These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.

“I have known NiaLena as a colleague for approximately 20 years. She has a well-deserved reputation for being one of the most accomplished white collar criminal defense attorneys in the state. NiaLena has successfully defended high-profile and lesser known criminal defendants in federal court for many years. Her work ethic is surpassed possibly only by her personal and professional integrity. I have spoken with prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurists and former clients, and I can say without hesitation that NiaLena's reputation for professionalism, honesty and the willingness to go the extra mile for her clients is in a class by itself. ”

“She lives and dies for her clients. If I was in trouble, I would want to be represented by her.”

“NiaLena combines intelligence, hard work and creativity with an commitment to making an extraordinary difference with her clients. She is widely admired by judges and lawyers for her because she fights hard for her clients without ever compromising her integrity. ”

“The last issue of SuperLawyers showed NiaLena on the cover with the headline "Fierce." While she is certainly can be fierce to her adversaries, she is also compassionate with her clients. I have not met a lawyer who cares more about her clients or goes further to get them what they need - always in an ethical fashion.”

“NiaLena is among the very finest criminal defense lawyers in the state. She has had an unparalleled degree of success in representing white collar criminal defense clients, and continues to bring her extraordinary skills, integrity, and experience to every aspect of her practice. I have spoken personally with prosecutors, judges and defense lawyers about NiaLena's reputation, and all agree that NiaLena is in a class of her own when it comes to representing white collar defendants. ”

“NiaLena is a tireless, passionate advocate for her clients. She gives them everything she has. She truly cares about them as the people that they are. She cares about their lives, about their families, about their desires and about their insecurities. She becomes their counselor, their advocate, their confidant, and their friend. She combines all of the above with a brilliant legal mind, making her a formidable trial lawyer.”

“A gifted attorney. If I needed representation in federal criminal matter, I would hire her.”

“Tireless in her preparation, loved by her clients and respected by her peers!”

“Exceptionally talented and diligent criminal defense lawyer with a wealth of experience in Federal white collar criminal investigations and trials.”

“If I were arrested I would want NiaLena to represent me. She is relentless in the defense of her clients”

“First rate criminal defense lawyer with a wealth of experience in Federal white collar criminal investigations and trials.”

“Although not in the same firm, I share space with NiaLena. I have seen first hand NiaLena's tenacity, dedication to her clients and caring attitude. If I needed a criminal defense lawyer...NiaLena would be my first call.”

“NiaLena is relentlessly honest, relentlessly disciplined, and relentlessly hard working. I would trust any client or family member to her. ”

“NiaLena is incredibly dedicated to her clients, and it shows in the results she achieves time and time again. Capable, independent, hard-working, honest. A person of the highest integrity who is an asset to our profession.”

Office location for NiaLena Caravasos

123 S Broad St
Suite 1845
Philadelphia, PA 19109

Phone: 215-925-5200

Articles about NiaLena Caravasos by Super Lawyers

Fierce The Essence of Being a Good Lawyer

Additional sources of information about NiaLena Caravasos

Attorney resources for NiaLena Caravasos

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