Criminal defense solo Gerald Shargel becomes a BigLaw partner at age 68
Criminal defense lawyer Gerald Shargel is making an unusual move to BigLaw, at age 68.
After four decades of solo practice in which he frequently represented business owners and politicians accused of corruption, as well as celebrities in hot water and alleged organized crime figures, he is joining Winston & Strawn as a partner in the firm’s New York office, the DealBook page of the New York Times (reg. req.) reports.
“I’ve always practiced law on a narrow platform of a sole practitioner,” he told the newspaper. “It’s time to try something different and expand my horizons.”
While his background may seem a bit out of sync with the practice areas ordinarily associated with a major corporate law firm, Shargel’s trial expertise is just what Winston & Strawn was looking for, said Seth C. Farber, who heads its New York litigation practice group.
“At Winston, we have a long tradition of being a firm that will take the most difficult cases to trial and win,” he told the Times. “Gerry’s skills and background fit perfectly with that mission.”
