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
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 Discipline
Representing students and respondents in proceedings involving allegations of sexual misconduct and relationship violence.
Civil Rights and Police Misconduct
Including matters involving unlawful arrests, excessive force, and related constitutional claims.
Why Clients Retain Russ Kofman
Considering Russ Kofman for Your Defense?
If you are reviewing attorney profiles because of an arrest, investigation, court date, or urgent legal question, the next step is to speak with the firm directly. A consultation can help clarify the charges, deadlines, likely next events, and what information should be protected before you respond to police or prosecutors.
To discuss whether Lebedin Kofman LLP can help with your situation, contact the firm and request a confidential consultation.
Clients typically retain Russ Kofman when the case is serious, time-sensitive, or requires a strategic approach from the outset.
- 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.
- 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. Additional matters can be reviewed here: Additional Media Coverage & Case Archive.
How Cases Are Approached
Every case is approached with a focus on early positioning and long-term outcome.
- 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, facing a felony charge, under investigation by state or federal authorities, accused in a Title IX or university disciplinary matter, dealing with an order of protection, or facing allegations that could impact your career, education, or future, early legal representation can have a meaningful impact on the direction of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a DWI arrest in New York?
You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Early steps can impact both the criminal case and your driver's license, including refusal hearings and potential suppression issues.
Can charges be avoided before an arrest is made?
In some cases, early representation during an investigation can result in no arrest or no formal charges being filed. This depends on the facts and timing, but early intervention can be critical.
What happens in a federal criminal case?
Federal cases typically involve investigation, indictment, and a structured pretrial process. They often include significant discovery, motion practice, and sentencing considerations that differ from state court.
What is a refusal hearing and why does it matter?
A refusal hearing is a DMV proceeding that can affect your license independent of the criminal case. It is time-sensitive and requires a separate defense strategy.
How are sex offense and Title IX cases handled differently?
These matters often involve parallel processes, including criminal exposure and institutional proceedings. They require careful coordination and strategic handling to protect both legal and reputational interests.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Media reports and descriptions of past matters reflect allegations and proceedings at the time and do not reflect case outcomes. Every case is unique and must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.