Manhattan White Collar Defense Lawyers

When you’re accused of a white collar crime in Manhattan, it can feel like your entire world is crashing down. One day you’re focused on your career and family, the next you’re facing federal investigators or state prosecutors who have been building a case against you for months. These charges carry serious consequences that extend far beyond potential jail time. Your professional reputation, ability to work in your field and relationships with colleagues and loved ones are all at stake.

At the Brill Legal Group, our Manhattan criminal defense lawyers have spent over 25 years representing clients in white collar cases throughout New York. Our lead attorney, Peter E. Brill, is a former assistant district attorney who knows exactly how prosecutors build these cases and where their vulnerabilities lie. Peter E. Brill is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Criminal Law, a rigorous ABA-accredited certification held by very few attorneys in New York State. This means years of trial experience and deep knowledge of criminal law that directly benefits our clients when they need it most.

What Are White Collar Crimes in New York?

White collar crimes are financially motivated offenses that typically involve some form of deception, fraud or breach of trust. Unlike violent crimes, these offenses rarely involve physical harm to victims. However, New York prosecutors view white collar crimes as far from victimless, often pursuing offenders with great intensity, whether the alleged loss is minimal or exceeds hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York are particularly aggressive in prosecuting financial crimes, given the number of financial institutions and corporate headquarters in the area. Common white collar crimes we defend against include:

• Securities fraud and insider trading
• Embezzlement from employers or clients
• Tax evasion and tax fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Identity theft
• Credit card fraud
• Wire fraud and mail fraud
• Money laundering
• Healthcare fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Corporate fraud

In 2024, just over 18 percent of all federal sentencing cases in New York were related to fraud, theft, or embezzlement, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Fiscal Year 2024 Statistical Information Packet. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s FY2024 data, money laundering is not among the top listed crime categories for federal cases in New York. Nationally, money laundering accounted for approximately 1.78% of all 61,678 federal cases in 2024 (1,095 cases). The top crime types in New York federal courts were drugs (27.5%), fraud/theft/embezzlement (18.1%), and immigration (10.5%). The NYPD recorded 9,810 felony offenses for forgery, fraud and identity theft in New York City that year. 

Understanding New York’s Penalties for White Collar Crimes

What makes white collar cases particularly challenging is their complexity. Prosecutors often spend months or even years gathering documents, conducting audits and interviewing witnesses before filing charges. By the time you learn you’re under investigation, the government may already have built what appears to be a strong case against you. The penalties for white collar convictions in Manhattan vary considerably depending on how the offense is classified and the specific circumstances of your case.

State Penalties

New York classifies white collar offenses as either misdemeanors or felonies, with penalties escalating based on severity. Misdemeanors can result in up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000. Felony convictions carry prison sentences ranging from 4 to 15 years and fines up to $5,000, depending on the classification. Many white collar crimes, including schemes to defraud and falsifying business records, fall under Class E felonies.

In some cases, individuals may be required to pay up to double the amount gained from the offense, rather than the standard maximum penalty. This means that if prosecutors claim you profited $100,000 from an alleged fraud scheme, you could face fines of $200,000 on top of prison time.

Federal Penalties

White collar crimes that cross state lines or involve federal agencies are prosecuted at the federal level. Federal penalties are typically more severe than state charges, resulting in:

• Lengthy prison sentences
• Substantial fines of up to millions of dollars in serious cases
• Restitution payments to victims
• Asset forfeiture
• Supervised release following imprisonment

In 2024, New York federal courts sentenced 2,647 people, with an average prison sentence of 57 months and a median of 30 months. Around 82 percent of fraud, theft or embezzlement cases and 62 percent of tax crimes in New York resulted in prison sentences that year.

Consequences Beyond Prison and Fines

A white collar conviction doesn’t end when you serve your sentence or pay your fines. The consequences can follow you for the rest of your life. If you work in finance, healthcare, law, accounting or any licensed profession, a conviction will likely result in the loss of your professional license. Even if you’re not in a licensed field, many employers conduct background checks and refuse to hire someone with a fraud or theft conviction on their record.

The stigma of a white collar conviction can also affect your relationships with family, friends and community members. Trust is difficult to rebuild once it’s been damaged by criminal charges, even if you maintain your innocence.

How White Collar Cases Typically Unfold

Understanding the process can help you make better decisions about your defense. White collar investigations often begin quietly. You might not even know you’re being investigated until federal agents show up at your home or workplace, or you receive a subpoena for documents or grand jury testimony.

If prosecutors believe they have sufficient evidence, they’ll either arrest you or present the case to a grand jury for indictment. You then have to appear in court to hear the charges and enter a plea. At this stage, conditions of release will be determined.

Your attorney will review the government’s evidence and file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges when appropriate. Most cases resolve through plea agreements, but the Brill Legal Group is always prepared to take your case to trial if it’s in your best interest.

The earlier you involve an experienced Manhattan defense attorney, you may improve your chances of a more positive resolution. If you receive any indication that you’re under investigation, contact us immediately. We may be able to intervene before charges are filed.

Why Choose the Brill Legal Group for Your White Collar Defense

When you’re facing white collar charges in Manhattan, you need attorneys who understand both the law and the practical realities of how these cases are prosecuted. Peter E. Brill’s background as an assistant district attorney gives him unique insight into how prosecutors think and strategize. He knows the tactics they use, the pressure they’re under to secure convictions and the weaknesses they try to hide.

While many white collar cases resolve through negotiations, the Brill Legal Group has years of experience taking cases to trial. Prosecutors know we’re not afraid to go to court, which often works to our clients’ advantage during plea negotiations.

Our Manhattan white collar defense lawyers practice in state and federal courts throughout the New York metropolitan area every single day. We know the judges, the prosecutors and the local court procedures. This familiarity allows us to navigate your case more effectively than attorneys who rarely appear in these venues. We handle hearings before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the New York State Attorney General’s Office and the Department of Justice, to name a few.

Defending Against Manhattan White Collar Charges

Every white collar case is different, but certain defense strategies appear frequently in our practice. For example, lack of intent is a commonly used defense. Most white collar crimes require proof that you intended to defraud or deceive someone. If we can show that any mistakes were honest errors rather than deliberate deception, prosecutors may struggle to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

If law enforcement got evidence via illegal searches, coerced statements or committed other constitutional violations, we can file motions to suppress that evidence. Sometimes, excluding key evidence is enough to get the charges dismissed.

The right defense strategy depends entirely on the facts of your case, the evidence against you and your goals. During your initial consultation, we’ll review the charges, assess the strength of the prosecution’s case and discuss your options candidly.

What to Do If You Are Under Investigation

If you suspect you are under investigation for a white collar crime in Manhattan, or if you’ve been contacted by law enforcement, don’t talk to investigators without a lawyer. Law enforcement interviews are designed to gather evidence for prosecution, not to help you. Your attempts to clarify misunderstandings or provide your side of the story can backfire, as your words may be misinterpreted or used to build a case against you.

You should also avoid destroying documents. Disposing of or altering documents once you’re aware of an investigation can lead to additional charges of obstruction of justice. Keep all records and let your attorney advise you on how to respond to document requests.

Another key thing to remember is not to discuss the case with friends, family or colleagues. These conversations aren’t privileged and can be used as evidence. Prosecutors sometimes interview people you’ve talked to about the case.

Be sure to contact an experienced white collar defense attorney immediately. The earlier we get involved, the more options we have to protect your rights and potentially prevent charges from being filed.

Contact the Brill Legal Group Today

If you’re facing white collar crime charges in Manhattan or anywhere in New York, time is not on your side. At the Brill Legal Group, we’ve built our reputation on trustworthiness, aggressive advocacy and results. We don’t judge our clients by the charges they face. 

Everyone deserves a vigorous defense and fair treatment under the law. Our Manhattan criminal defense lawyers are here to protect your freedom and your future.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.