Attorney Al Krieger- who became part of our local bar later in his career, commanded every courtroom he walked into. His cross examinations were conducted with a surgeon’s scalpel and delivered with a bulldog growl.
He was born in Manhattan in 1923, attended New York University on a football
scholarship, graduating in 1945. After a brief Army stint, he earned his LL.B.
from NYU School of Law in 1949. And from there, he went on to have a sixty-year
career in the law.
He started by defending OC figures in NYC including Joe
Bonanno in the 1960s, and famously John Gotti in 1992. His cross examination of
the turncoat/rat in that case was
legendary.
But to us, Al Krieger became the GOAT when he- pro bono- defended
approximately 150 defendants of the American Indian Movement after they
occupied Wounded Knee in 1973. He obtained dismissals or acquittals for nearly
all defendants. This was an achievement that ranks as the very best in the
history of American Criminal defense. From this point on Al Krieger was a
superstar.
Al Krieger was a founding member and president
(1979–1980) of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
and also helped to establish the National Criminal Defense College in
Macon, Georgia, in 1985, training generations of defense attorneys.
Al Krieger received the NACDL Lifetime Achievement Award
and Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award, as well as the ABA Charles R.
English Award.
Albert J. Krieger’s name remains synonymous with courage,
integrity, and excellence in criminal defense—a “lawyer’s lawyer” whose
advocacy helped elevate the defense bar to a position of national respect and
influence.
So where do we put him?
He was every bit the trial lawyer of Lee Bailey(3) and Roy Black (2). It’s like asking where do
you put DiMaggio in an outfield of Mays, Aaron and Clemente?
So we leave you with this – the top three criminal defense attorneys
of the last 50 years were Spence, Krieger, Bailey and Black. You figure it out.
A Jew who played college football. Quite an exclusive club to belong to.
ReplyDeletePre-integration college football was a little different. I imagine he’d say the same. I met Albert Krieger when he was on faculty at the National Criminal Defense College in Macon GA. Was probably 2006 and I had only been a lawyer for a couple years. He was sort of an emeritus presence around the place but you could easily see how he could command a courtroom.
Deletehow about Duke Snieder?
ReplyDeleteMichele Borchew is a fantastic
ReplyDeleteDefense Attorney.
Chasing the “best” criminal defense attorney is a pointless quest. It’s not about finding some rockstar with a golden tongue. There are hundreds of us—damn good lawyers—who wake up at 4 a.m., grind late into the night, prep for trial, nail cross-examinations, and fight hard for not guilty verdicts. This fixation on “top 10” lists or slick courtroom drama is just elitist hype. It’s like saying only a few mechanics can fix a car right. Great defense attorneys are out there daily, pouring their hearts into cases, winning without fanfare. Stop trying to rank us like we’re in a talent show. The real champs are in the trenches, not chasing fame. Let’s honor the many who deliver, not some made-up “best.”
ReplyDeleteHas anyone won a civil lawsuit against KFR?
ReplyDeleteKFR and the SAO were found liable for sexual harassment in federal court in 2000. Sherry Rossbach, a major crimes secretary was sexually harassed by her ASA and the ASA tried to cover it up. He had to resign in lieu of criminal charges. Jury found damages of $250,000 and the SAO paid hundreds of thousands of dollars. Richard McDuff, from Broward County and Bob Rosenblatt were the Plaintiff attorneys. Case was tried before Judge Shelby Highsmith.
DeleteLet's not forget that Albert was one of Roy Black's mentors. Very cool. All legends.
ReplyDeleteHow about John Sinns. He’s had one of the most prolific legal careers.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Albert was a gem! But what about Jay Hogan? Little known fact: John Gotti first tried to hire Jay Hogan to represent him. But Jay, who was in trial in Tampa [with later to be Federal Judge Bobby Scola] in the BCCI case turned down Gotti’s offer as he was too busy (the Tampa trial lasted several months). Word is that Gotti asked Jay who he would recommend he hire and, without hesitation, Jay said Albert.
ReplyDeleteI just want to say our very own Jason Pizzo (former ASA) will be the next governor of Florida.
ReplyDeleteI like him. He’s very smart.
DeleteNo way in hell
DeleteGreat guy. Very ethical.
DeleteNo way. He's gonna run as an independent, his beef with the Democrats (which he always was until earlier this year) is they are too radical and not pro-Israel enough. There's no lane for that. People who believe that have a Republican to vote for. The only candidate who almost beat a Republican for governor this millenium was Gillum, who ran left and emphasized economic issues for working people. Gillum had his own issues come out later and so people don't remember, but that was the best statewide Dem campaign and messaging we've seen. That's the message that will defeat Trumpism. But Pizzo, and most dems in Florida, don't really seem to actually want to win, just to boost their personal profile.
DeleteGood morning fellow litigators it’s a great day to “win at all cost”.
ReplyDeleteAin’t that the truth!
Delete