Russ Kofman

Representative Clients

Russ Kofman represents a broad range of clients, including professionals, public employees, and individuals whose careers and reputations are directly impacted by criminal allegations.

His clients have included law enforcement officers, corrections officers, teachers, Department of Education employees, MTA employees, firefighters, Port Authority employees, medical professionals, licensed and regulated individuals, business owners, and individuals working in both the public and private sectors, as well as individuals from all backgrounds facing serious criminal exposure.

Practice Areas

Russ Kofman represents clients in:

• DWI and DUI defense, including refusal hearings, license consequences, suppression issues, and trial defense.
• Federal criminal defense, including fraud, conspiracy, multi-defendant prosecutions, and sentencing advocacy in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and other federal jurisdictions.
• Serious criminal defense, including violent felonies, weapons charges, domestic-related cases, and other high-exposure prosecutions.
• Sex offense defense, including allegations involving rape, sexual assault, child-related offenses, and related conduct, as well as advocacy in Sex Offender Registration Act proceedings.
• Title IX and university disciplinary defense, representing students and respondents in proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct and relationship violence.
• Civil rights and police misconduct litigation, including matters involving unlawful arrests, excessive force, and related constitutional claims.

Why Clients Retain Russ Kofman

Clients typically retain Russ Kofman when the case is serious, time-sensitive, or requires a strategic approach from the outset.

He is often brought in when:

• an arrest has already occurred and immediate action is required;
• the client is under investigation and wants to prevent charges from being filed;
• the case involves felony or federal exposure;
• there are overlapping consequences involving employment, licensing, education, or reputation;
• the allegations are sensitive and carry long-term personal impact.

His approach focuses on early intervention, identifying weaknesses in the prosecution's case, challenging the legality of police conduct, and positioning matters for dismissal, reduction, acquittal, or strategic resolution.

Scope of Experience and Practice

Russ Kofman has represented clients across a wide range of criminal and quasi-criminal matters, including high-exposure felonies, federal prosecutions, DWI cases, and sensitive allegations.

His experience includes:

• Extensive federal criminal defense work, including representation in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York in fraud, conspiracy, and multi-defendant prosecutions, as well as sentencing advocacy and trial-level litigation.
• Significant courtroom and trial experience, including contested hearings, suppression litigation, misdemeanor and felony trials, and federal trial work.
• DWI defense, including handling a substantial number of DWI matters and refusal hearings, with experience addressing license consequences, chemical test issues, and trial strategy.
• Grand jury representation in felony matters, including cases where charges were not sustained or were reduced following advocacy at the grand jury stage.
• Pre-arrest and investigative representation, including intervention in matters involving serious allegations where early strategy resulted in no arrest or no formal charges.
• Representation in complex sex offense cases, including allegations involving rape, sexual assault, child-related offenses, and related conduct, as well as litigation and advocacy in Sex Offender Registration Act proceedings.
• Title IX and university disciplinary defense, including successful representation in proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct and relationship violence.
• Civil rights litigation, including recovery of significant compensation for clients in matters involving unlawful arrests and excessive force, often arising from underlying criminal cases.
• Asset forfeiture defense, including challenges to the seizure of funds and property in both state and federal matters.
• Strategic use of expert resources, including investigators, mitigation specialists, treatment providers, and sentencing consultants where appropriate.

Representative matters and media coverage can be viewed here: Representative Cases & Media Coverage.

How Cases Are Approached

Every case is approached with a focus on early positioning and long-term outcome.

This includes:

• evaluating the legality of police conduct and identifying suppression issues;
• assessing the strength and admissibility of evidence;
• engaging with prosecutors strategically when appropriate;
• preparing matters for hearings or trial from the outset where necessary;
• coordinating expert resources when beneficial to the client's position.

In appropriate cases, early intervention can significantly change the trajectory of a matter, including preventing charges from being filed or narrowing the scope of potential exposure.

When to Contact Counsel

If you are:

• arrested for DWI and concerned about your license or criminal exposure;
• facing a felony charge and unsure how the process will unfold;
• under investigation by state or federal authorities;
• accused in a Title IX or university disciplinary matter;
• dealing with an order of protection or a domestic-related case;
• facing allegations that could impact your career, education, or future;

early legal representation can have a meaningful impact on the outcome.