Barry Slotnick
Encyclopedia
Barry Slotnick is a New York
defense attorney, best known for defending Bernhard Goetz
.
in 1939 to Jewish Orthodox Russian
immigrants. He graduated with a B.A.
from City College
of the City University of New York
, a J.D.
from New York University Law School, and was admitted to the bar
at age 21. After graduating from law school, Slotnick set up his own practice in Manhattan. Slotnick focused on criminal defense, and found clients by sitting in the front row of court, waiting until the judges would say “Slotnick, the next client is yours.” From there, he started his own boutique law firm that eventually became Slotnick, Shapiro & Crocker.
, who shot four would-be muggers on a New York City
subway. Goetz was charged with attempted murder
, assault
, reckless endangerment and several firearms offenses. The trial received national attention, and a Manhattan jury found Goetz not guilty of all charges except an illegal firearms possession count, for which he served two-thirds of a one-year sentence.
The New York Times
attributed the victory to Slotnick’s “clever courtroom tactics,” noting that he “turned out to be a shrewder, more accomplished performer than the prosecutor, Gregory Waples.” In particular, Slotnick’s aggressive questioning of James Ramseur, one of the four shot by Goetz, pushed Ramseur to react explosively, which resulted in Rasmeur’s entire testimony being stricken from the record including negative statements Rasmeur made about Goetz.
When later reflecting on the case, Slotnick said "I've had greater victories and I've had much more difficult cases to try, but for the public perception, for the public need, Goetz was important. Goetz was my public service case
.”
in front of the United States Supreme Court and won. Ultimately, the New York Court of Appeals declared New York's contempt statute unconstitutional. He would later go on to be the major lawyer in the first John Gotti
case, in which Gotti and his associates were all acquitted.
Slotnick has also represented former Democratic Congressman Mario Biaggi
, as well as Vyacheslav Kirillovich Ivankov, who was accused by the United States Department of Justice
of being a pivotal boss within the Russian mafia
. He then represented casino magnate Steve Wynn, Panama
nian dictator Manuel Noriega
, and Rabbi Meir Kahane
. He also handled the divorce proceedings on behalf of actor Anthony Quinn
and June Gumbel—wife of television personality Bryant Gumbel
.
In 2004, Slotnick defended retired Army Captain Jay Ferriola
pro-bono with his son Stuart Slotnick
. Ferriola was ordered to redeploy to Iraq
after completing eight years of service, and sued the Army under the grounds that they violated his due process
rights. The Department of Defense later allowed Ferriola to retire from the Army. The case was the first to challenge the Army's stop-loss policy, which had affected tens of thousands of soldiers since the start of the Iraq War. Slotnick went on to successfully try four more similar cases.
With his son, Stuart, Slotnick also navigated a settlement for publicly traded Sportingbet with the U.S. Government's Department of Justice for $30 million and a non-prosecution agreement. This amount was a quarter of what competing site PartyGaming
paid in a similar lawsuit. Pursuant to the non prosecution agreement, Sportingbet will not be indicted for their criminal acts in the United States.
In 2005, he merged Slotnick Shapiro & Crocker with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, where he is currently a partner and shareholder.
Slotnick has been a member of the New York Governor's Judicial Selection Committee, Chairman of the New York State Bar Association
's Committee on Capital Crimes, and a former Special Deputy Attorney General.
, best known for defending American Apparel
.
He once went on a 12 year winning streak, and has said that his favorite client was Winnie the Pooh, whom he represents adverse to Disneyland. He received the American Lawyer's AMMY Award as the best defense lawyer in America, was named to the New York Super Lawyer List in 2006, 2007, and 2009, and was included in the American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers of 2009.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
defense attorney, best known for defending Bernhard Goetz
Bernhard Goetz
Bernhard Goetz is an American man best known for shooting four young African American men who tried to mug him on a New York City Subway train, resulting in his conviction for illegal possession of a firearm. He came to symbolize New Yorkers’ frustrations with the high crime rates of the early...
.
Early life
Slotnick was born in The BronxThe Bronx
The Bronx is the northernmost of the five boroughs of New York City. It is also known as Bronx County, the last of the 62 counties of New York State to be incorporated...
in 1939 to Jewish Orthodox Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
immigrants. He graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from City College
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
of the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
, a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from New York University Law School, and was admitted to the bar
Admission to the bar in the United States
In the United States, admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S. state and similar jurisdiction has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission , which can lead to different admission...
at age 21. After graduating from law school, Slotnick set up his own practice in Manhattan. Slotnick focused on criminal defense, and found clients by sitting in the front row of court, waiting until the judges would say “Slotnick, the next client is yours.” From there, he started his own boutique law firm that eventually became Slotnick, Shapiro & Crocker.
Bernhard Goetz trial
In 1984, Slotnick defended Bernhard GoetzBernhard Goetz
Bernhard Goetz is an American man best known for shooting four young African American men who tried to mug him on a New York City Subway train, resulting in his conviction for illegal possession of a firearm. He came to symbolize New Yorkers’ frustrations with the high crime rates of the early...
, who shot four would-be muggers on a New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
subway. Goetz was charged with attempted murder
Attempted murder
Attempted murder is a crime in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.-Today:In English criminal law, attempted murder is the crime of more than merely preparing to commit unlawful killing and at the same time having a specific intention to cause the death of human being under the Queen's Peace...
, assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
, reckless endangerment and several firearms offenses. The trial received national attention, and a Manhattan jury found Goetz not guilty of all charges except an illegal firearms possession count, for which he served two-thirds of a one-year sentence.
The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
attributed the victory to Slotnick’s “clever courtroom tactics,” noting that he “turned out to be a shrewder, more accomplished performer than the prosecutor, Gregory Waples.” In particular, Slotnick’s aggressive questioning of James Ramseur, one of the four shot by Goetz, pushed Ramseur to react explosively, which resulted in Rasmeur’s entire testimony being stricken from the record including negative statements Rasmeur made about Goetz.
When later reflecting on the case, Slotnick said "I've had greater victories and I've had much more difficult cases to try, but for the public perception, for the public need, Goetz was important. Goetz was my public service case
Public services
Public services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
.”
Career
Originally an appellate attorney, Slotnick eventually branched out into high-profile criminal cases that garnered national media attention. In his early 30’s, Slotnick defended mob boss Joe ColomboJoe Colombo
Joe Colombo may refer to:* Joseph Colombo , American gangster, boss of the Colombo crime family* Joe Cesare Colombo , Italian industrial designer...
in front of the United States Supreme Court and won. Ultimately, the New York Court of Appeals declared New York's contempt statute unconstitutional. He would later go on to be the major lawyer in the first John Gotti
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti, Jr was an American mobster who became the Boss of the Gambino crime family in New York City. Gotti grew up in poverty. He and his brothers turned to a life of crime at an early age...
case, in which Gotti and his associates were all acquitted.
Slotnick has also represented former Democratic Congressman Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi is a former U.S. Representative from New York and former New York City police officer. He was elected as a Democrat from The Bronx in New York City...
, as well as Vyacheslav Kirillovich Ivankov, who was accused by the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
of being a pivotal boss within the Russian mafia
Russian Mafia
The Russian Mafia is a name applied to organized crime syndicates in Russia and Ukraine. The mafia in various countries take the name of the country, as for example the Ukrainian mafia....
. He then represented casino magnate Steve Wynn, Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
nian dictator Manuel Noriega
Manuel Noriega
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno is a Panamanian politician and soldier. He was military dictator of Panama from 1983 to 1989.The 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States removed him from power; he was captured, detained as a prisoner of war, and flown to the United States. Noriega was tried on...
, and Rabbi Meir Kahane
Meir Kahane
Martin David Kahane , also known as Meir Kahane , was an American-Israeli rabbi and ultra-nationalist writer and political figure. He was an ordained Orthodox rabbi and later served as a member of the Israeli Knesset...
. He also handled the divorce proceedings on behalf of actor Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Antonio Rodolfo Quinn-Oaxaca , more commonly known as Anthony Quinn, was a Mexican American actor, as well as a painter and writer...
and June Gumbel—wife of television personality Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Charles Gumbel is an American television journalist and sportscaster. He is best known for his 15 years as co-host of NBC's The Today Show. He is the younger brother of sportscaster Greg Gumbel.-Early life:...
.
In 2004, Slotnick defended retired Army Captain Jay Ferriola
Jay J. Ferriola
Jay J. Ferriola is a U.S. Army captain who sued the United States government to prevent him from being deployed to Iraq after completing eight years of military service...
pro-bono with his son Stuart Slotnick
Stuart Slotnick
Stuart Slotnick is a New York defense attorney and a partner at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.-Personal life:In 2006, Slotnick married Amy Albert, a counsel to New York law firm Weiss & Hiller...
. Ferriola was ordered to redeploy to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
after completing eight years of service, and sued the Army under the grounds that they violated his due process
Due process
Due process is the legal code that the state must venerate all of the legal rights that are owed to a person under the principle. Due process balances the power of the state law of the land and thus protects individual persons from it...
rights. The Department of Defense later allowed Ferriola to retire from the Army. The case was the first to challenge the Army's stop-loss policy, which had affected tens of thousands of soldiers since the start of the Iraq War. Slotnick went on to successfully try four more similar cases.
With his son, Stuart, Slotnick also navigated a settlement for publicly traded Sportingbet with the U.S. Government's Department of Justice for $30 million and a non-prosecution agreement. This amount was a quarter of what competing site PartyGaming
PartyGaming
bwin.Party Digital Entertainment Plc is an online gambling company, formed by the March 2011 merger of PartyGaming plc and bwin. The world's largest publicly traded online gambling firm, it is best known for its online poker room PartyPoker.com and its sports betting brand Bwin. It is...
paid in a similar lawsuit. Pursuant to the non prosecution agreement, Sportingbet will not be indicted for their criminal acts in the United States.
In 2005, he merged Slotnick Shapiro & Crocker with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, where he is currently a partner and shareholder.
Slotnick has been a member of the New York Governor's Judicial Selection Committee, Chairman of the New York State Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
The New York State Bar Association , with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.-History:The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877...
's Committee on Capital Crimes, and a former Special Deputy Attorney General.
Personal life
Slotnick is married to Donna Slotnick and has four children, one of whom is attorney Stuart SlotnickStuart Slotnick
Stuart Slotnick is a New York defense attorney and a partner at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney.-Personal life:In 2006, Slotnick married Amy Albert, a counsel to New York law firm Weiss & Hiller...
, best known for defending American Apparel
American Apparel
American Apparel is a clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing...
.
He once went on a 12 year winning streak, and has said that his favorite client was Winnie the Pooh, whom he represents adverse to Disneyland. He received the American Lawyer's AMMY Award as the best defense lawyer in America, was named to the New York Super Lawyer List in 2006, 2007, and 2009, and was included in the American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers of 2009.
External links
- Barry Slotnick Profile on BIPC.com.
- Vanderbilt Speaker Series Fall 2005 Barry Slotnick Bio.
- Trial may turn tables on Russian mob boss
- Army Captain Granted Reprieve After Suing U.S. Gvt. To Block Iraq Deployment Democracy Now interview of Barry Slotnick.