Alex Spiro
{{Short description|American attorney (born 1982 or 1983)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Alex Spiro
| image = Alex Spiro - Eric Adams arraignment 2024-09-27 082 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Spiro, representing Eric Adams for Adams' federal prosecution in 2024
| birth_name = Alexander Benjamin Spiro
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|40|2023|03|06}}
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.
| death_date =
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| other_names =
| education = {{Unbulleted list|Tufts University (BA)|Harvard University (JD)}}
| occupation = Lawyer
| employer = Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan
| years_active =
| spouse =
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| children =
}}
Alexander Benjamin Spiro (born {{Birth based on age as of date|40|2023|03|06|noage=1}}{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Dan |date=March 6, 2023 |title=How Alex Spiro Became Elon Musk's (and Megan Thee Stallion's and Jay-Z's) Go-To Lawyer |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/03/alex-spiro-lawyer-elon-musk-megan-thee-stallion-jay-z |work=Vanity Fair}}) is an American attorney. He is a partner at the New York office of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan. Over his career he has represented multiple celebrity clients including Elon Musk, Jay-Z, MrBeast, Eric Adams, Bobby Shmurda, and Alec Baldwin.
Early life and education
Spiro was born in New York and grew up in Boston.{{Cite news |last=Charity |first=Justin |date=June 9, 2016 |title=He Who Would Defend Shmurda |url=https://www.theringer.com/2016/6/9/16040732/alex-spiro-bobby-shmurda-thabo-sefolosha-1-oak-f28073829b51 |access-date=2018-08-23 |work=The Ringer}} He is the eldest of four children to a clinical psychologist mother and a dentist father.{{Cite magazine |last=Kolhatkar |first=Sheelah |date=2023-07-24 |title=How Alex Spiro Keeps the Rich and Famous Above the Law |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/07/31/how-alex-spiro-keeps-the-rich-and-famous-above-the-law |magazine=The New Yorker |issn=0028-792X}}
Spiro studied biopsychology at Tufts University, graduating summa cum laude.{{Cite news|url=http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20180708/beat-wellesley-bred-lawyer-alex-spiro-matchup-nightmare-on-court-and-in-courtroom|title=The Beat: Wellesley-bred lawyer Alex Spiro a matchup nightmare on the court and in the courtroom|author=Tim Whelan Jr.|work=MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA|access-date=2018-08-23|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816081555/http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/20180708/beat-wellesley-bred-lawyer-alex-spiro-matchup-nightmare-on-court-and-in-courtroom |archive-date=August 16, 2021}} While in college, he considered a career in psychiatry and worked on an adolescent psychiatry unit at McLean Hospital.{{Cite news|url=https://today.law.harvard.edu/basketball-stars-go-guy/|title=Basketball Stars' Go-To Guy - Harvard Law Today|work=Harvard Law Today|access-date=2018-08-23}} In 2008, Spiro received his J.D. from Harvard Law School. During the program, he did a fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency.{{Cite news |last1=Vynck |first1=Gerrit De |last2=Zakrzewski |first2=Cat |date=2022-11-07 |title=Musk's celebrity lawyer now plays key role in Twitter overhaul |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/11/06/alex-spiro-musk-twitter-lawyer/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}
Legal career
Spiro worked at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office as an Assistant District Attorney until 2013. In 2012 he prosecuted Rodney Alcala, known as “The Dating Game Killer," for two New York murders committed in the 1970s.
Spiro represented Aaron Hernandez in 2016 in his double homicide trial and the appeal of his 2015 murder conviction{{Cite news |url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/16053466/aaron-hernandez-hires-new-defense-team-includes-lawyer-represented-casey-anthony |title=A. Hernandez hires Casey Anthony lawyer, others |work=ESPN.com |access-date=2018-08-25 |language=en}} in which he was initially acquitted, although Hernandez's murder conviction was reinstated in a ruling from Massachusetts’ highest court in 2019.{{cite web |last1=Durken Richer |first1=Alanna |title=Court reinstates late Aaron Hernandez's murder conviction |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-football-professional-football-2a80cc5593d14d598b0b5e3eb133a93a |publisher=AP News |date=March 13, 2019}}
Spiro won a lawsuit against New York City in 2017, with the city agreeing to pay $4 million to Thabo Sefolosha, who was an NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks at the time. In the federal lawsuit, he accused five police officers of false arrest and using excessive force during an encounter outside a Manhattan nightclub.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/05/nyregion/thabo-sefolosha-ny-atlanta-false-arrest-suit.html|title=New York City to Pay N.B.A.'s Thabo Sefolosha $4 Million to End False-Arrest Suit|author=James C. McKinley Jr.|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 6, 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://abovethelaw.com/2017/10/quinn-emanuel-pulls-off-coup-with-big-time-criminal-defense-hire/|title=Quinn Emanuel Pulls Off Coup With Big-Time Criminal Defense Hire|last=Patrice|first=Joe|work=Above the Law|access-date=2018-08-23|language=en-US}}
In 2018, Spiro was part of the defense team for David Demos, defending his case involving the use of illegal sales practices, including fraud for lying to clients. Demos was acquitted on all charges in February 2019.{{Cite web |last=Dolmetsch |first=Chris |date=3 May 2018 |title=Ex-Cantor Fitzgerald Trader Not Guilty in Bond Fraud Case |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-03/ex-cantor-fitzgerald-trader-found-not-guilty-in-bond-fraud-case?embedded-checkout=true |website=Bloomberg}}{{Cite web |last=Wiessner |first=Daniel |date=12 February 2019 |title=Bond trader acquitted of fraud sues Cantor Fitzgerald over legal fees |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/legal/bond-trader-acquitted-of-fraud-sues-cantor-fitzgerald-over-legal-fees-idUSL1N2071UF/ |website=Reuters}}
In February 2019, Spiro was asked by Jay-Z and Roc Nation{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/02/attorney-alex-spiro-explains-how-jay-z-roc-nation-fights-to-free-21-savage|title=Attorney Alex Spiro Explains How JAY-Z and Roc Nation Will Fight For 21 Savage|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2019-11-07}} to help with the immigration arrest of rapper/songwriter 21 Savage, resulting in the rapper's release from federal custody.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/arts/21-savage-released.html|title=21 Savage to Be Released From ICE Custody, His Lawyers Say|last=Stack|first=Liam|date=2019-02-12|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-11-07|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}
In March 2019, Spiro was chosen to be part of Robert Kraft's legal team, defending him against misdemeanor charges of solicitation.{{cite news|last1=Francescani|first1=Chris|date=March 10, 2019|title=Patriots' owner Robert Kraft has assembled a legal dream team to handle his misdemeanor sex solicitation case; can they save him?|work=ABC News|url=https://www.yahoo.com/gma/patriots-owner-robert-kraft-assembled-legal-dream-team-234510439--abc-news-topstories.html|access-date=March 10, 2019}} Kraft's case was dismissed in September 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-24 |title=Robert Kraft prostitution charges dropped by Florida prosecutors |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/robert-kraft-prostitution-charges-dropped-florida-prosecutors-n1240964 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=NBC News |language=en}}
In September 2019, Spiro obtained a dismissal of a breach of contract and unjust enrichment claim brought by a former trainer of tennis player Naomi Osaka.{{Cite news|url=https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2019/09/13/dismissed-broward-judge-swats-trainers-lawsuit-against-tennis-star-naomi-osaka/|title=Dismissed: Broward Judge Swats Trainer's Lawsuit Against Tennis Star Naomi Osaka|date=September 13, 2019|author=Zach Schlein|website=Daily Business Review|language=en|access-date=2019-11-07}}
In March 2020, Spiro and hip-hop artists Killer Mike, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti, and Chance the Rapper sent a brief to the United States Supreme Court, detailing the ways rap music is stigmatized and stereotyped by the legal system.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/spotlight-alex-spiro-hip-hop-criminal-justice-reform-attorney/ |title=Spotlight: Jay-Z and Meek Mill Lawyer Alex Spiro Is Hip-Hop's Most Sought-After Criminal Justice Attorney |first1=Tatiana |last1=Cirisano |magazine=Billboard |date=March 3, 2020}}
Spiro filed a lawsuit against the health care providers for inmates at Mississippi prisons in May 2020, after Jay-Z's Roc Nation filed their own lawsuit on behalf of a group of inmates. The lawsuit accuses them of an "entire breakdown in Mississippi prisons' healthcare system."{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/roc-nation-attorney-sues-mississippi-prison-health-care-provider-news.111256.html|title=Roc Nation Attorney Sues Mississippi Prison Health Care Provider|date=May 27, 2020|website=HotNewHipHop}}
In May 2021, the family of Don Lewis hired Spiro to investigate his 1997 disappearance which gained renewed interest after the airing of the Netflix series Tiger King.{{cite web |last1=Best |first1=Paul |title=Tiger King: Family of Carole Baskin's ex-husband hires attorney Alex Spiro to investigate his disappearance |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/tiger-king-family-of-carole-baskins-ex-husband-hires-attorney-alex-spiro-to-investigate-his-disappearance |work=Fox News |date=May 15, 2021}}
In June 2021, Spiro obtained a temporary restraining order against Roc-A-Fella co-founder Damon Dash in Manhattan federal court, blocking a planned non-fungible token auction of his copyright interest in Jay-Z’s debut album Reasonable Doubt.{{cite web |last1=Brittian |first1=Blake |title=Jay-Z label Roc-A-Fella blocks co-founder's 'Reasonable Doubt' NFT auction |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/jay-z-label-roc-a-fella-blocks-co-founders-reasonable-doubt-nft-auction-2021-06-22/ |publisher=Reuters |date=June 22, 2021}}
In November 2021, a New York Jury decided in favor of Spiro, finding Jay-Z not liable in a suit stemming from a cologne deal in 2013. Jay-Z was awarded $4.5 million as a result.{{cite web |last1=Donahue |first1=Bill |title=Jay-Z Wins $4.5M In Unpaid Royalties Over Failed Cologne Partnership |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/jay-z-wins-unpaid-royalties-cologne-partnership-1235036145/ |publisher=Billboard |date=February 24, 2022}}
In July 2024, Spiro defended at trial Alec Baldwin from a New Mexico involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the movie Rust where the cinematographer was shot and killed by Baldwin from a prop gun. On July 12, Spiro filed a successful motion to dismiss the charge against Baldwin with prejudice over withheld evidence, meaning Baldwin cannot be retried.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/12/arts/rust-trial-pause-alec-baldwin-shooting.html | title='Rust' Case Against Alec Baldwin is Dismissed over Withheld Evidence | work=The New York Times | date=12 July 2024 | last1=Jacobs | first1=Julia }}
Spiro was hired by YouTuber MrBeast in the midst of multiple controversies surrounding him in August 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-28 |title=MrBeast Reportedly Hires Elon Musk's Lawyer to Silence Former Employee |url=https://www.si.com/esports/news/mrbeast-elon-musk-lawyer |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Esports Illustrated On SI |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Dodgson |first=Lindsay |title=MrBeast is in a tough spot. But PR experts say an aggressive 'super lawyer' isn't the fix he needs. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-hiring-celebrity-lawyer-wont-help-reputation-experts-2024-8 |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}
In September 2024, Spiro was an attorney for New York City Mayor Eric Adams after Adams was indicted in a federal corruption case.{{Cite web |last1=Dienst |first1=Jonathan |last2=Winter |first2=Tom |last3=Russo |first3=Melissa |last4=Copenhagen • • |first4=Courtney |date=2024-09-26 |title=FBI searching Gracie Mansion, home of NYC Mayor Eric Adams, amid investigation |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/gracie-mansion-search-fbi-eric-adams/5831074/ |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |author= |date=2024-09-26 |title=Mayor Eric Adams Indicted Over Corruption: Live Updates |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/eric-adams-indicted-new-york-city-mayor-live-updates-commentary.html#they-took-his-phone-again |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=Intelligencer |language=en}} Charges against Adams were dismissed with prejudice in April 2025, with the presiding judge ordering that the case could not be retried.{{Cite web |last=Zanger |first=Jesse |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |last5= |first5= |last6= |first6= |last7= |first7= |last8= |first8= |date=2025-04-03 |title=NYC Mayor Eric Adams' corruption case dismissed with prejudice, judge rules |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-mayor-eric-adams-corruption-case-dropped/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Scannell |first=Lauren del Valle, Kara |date=2025-04-02 |title=Judge dismisses Eric Adams case and says it cannot be brought again, defying Trump DOJ {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/politics/eric-adams-dismissal/index.html |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=CNN |language=en}}
Spiro represented Jay-Z after allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in 2000.{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Thania |title=Jay-Z's Accuser Can Remain Anonymous, Judge Criticizes His Lawyer's 'Relentless' Legal Filings |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/jay-z-accuser-remain-anonymous-judge-criticizes-his-lawyers-1236260405/ |website=Variety |date=27 December 2024}}{{cite news |title=Judge rules that accuser in rape lawsuit against Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs can remain anonymous for now |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rape-lawsuit-against-jay-z-sean-diddy-combs-accuser-can-remain-anonymous/ |work= CBS News |date=26 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Jay-Z Brutally Slapped Down By Judge in Teen Rape Case |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/jay-z-and-lawyer-alex-spiro-brutally-slapped-down-by-judge-in-diddy-linked-teen-rape-case/ |website=The Daily Beast |language=en |date=26 December 2024}} In February 2025, the plaintiff dropped the lawsuit.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-15 |title=Accuser drops rape lawsuit against Jay-Z and Sean Diddy Combs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74e284ll8xo |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
Spiro has previously been involved with investigations and litigation surrounding Robert Durst,{{cite web |last1=Silva |first1=Daniella |date=October 15, 2015 |title=Robert Durst to Face Wrongful Death Suit From Family of First Wife, Kathleen |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/robert-durst/robert-durst-face-wrongful-death-suit-family-first-wife-kathleen-n445581 |website=NBC News}} Alec Baldwin and Philip Seymour Hoffman.{{cite web |date=August 24, 2014 |title=No Jail Time for Jazz Musician Arrested in Philip Seymour Hoffman Death Probe |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/philip-seymour-hoffmans-death-probe-musician-6236444/ |publisher=Billboard}} Spiro has represented musical artists, such as Mick Jagger and Bobby Shmurda, as well as athletes, including Charles Oakley{{cite web |last1=Begley |first1=Ian |date=February 2, 2018 |title=Criminal case against Charles Oakley officially dismissed |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/22300292/criminal-case-charles-oakley-officially-dismissed |work=ESPN}} and Julian Edelman.{{cite web |last1=Breech |first1=John |date=June 25, 2018 |title=Julian Edelman is appealing his suspension and here's his plan to get it overturned |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/julian-edelman-is-appealing-his-suspension-and-heres-his-plan-to-get-it-overturned/}}
= Twitter, Musk, and Tesla =
In December 2019, Spiro defended Elon Musk in a defamation case raised by Vernon Unsworth from statements made relating to their involvement in the Tham Luang cave rescue. The jury ultimately found Musk not liable.{{cite web |last1=Kolodny |first1=Lora |date=December 6, 2019 |title=Elon Musk found not liable in 'pedo guy' defamation trial |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/06/unsworth-vs-musk-pedo-guy-defamation-trial-verdict.html |website=CNBC}} Spiro also represented Musk in a suit brought by shareholders over Tesla acquiring SolarCity.{{cite web |last1=Hull |first1=Dana |date=February 24, 2020 |title=Lawyer Who Helped Musk Beat Defamation Suit Takes on Tesla's Investors |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-24/lawyer-who-helped-musk-beat-defamation-suit-takes-on-investors |publisher=Bloomberg}} In 2023, the presiding judge declared Musk not liable for pushing shareholders to overpay for the SolarCity acquisition.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-06 |title=Delaware Supreme Court upholds judge's finding that Tesla acquisition of Solar City was fair |url=https://apnews.com/article/tesla-elon-musk-solar-city-shareholder-lawsuit-362775d28666c40e66ca09117c31f93c |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Hals |first=Tom |date=2023-06-06 |title=Court upholds Musk's win in $13 billion lawsuit over Tesla-SolarCity deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/court-upholds-ruling-musk-over-tesla-solarcity-deal-2023-06-06/ |access-date=2025-05-11 |work=Reuters |language=en}}
In 2022, after Musk took control of Twitter, Spiro took an active role in the legal team, and led conversations about a 25% layoff of employees.{{Cite news |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Musk's inner circle worked through weekend to cement Twitter layoff plans |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/10/31/elon-musk-twitter-layoffs/ |access-date=November 1, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post}}
That same year, Musk appointed Spiro to oversee Twitter's legal, marketing, and trust and safety teams, which included responsibility for Twitter's elections work.
In February 2023, Spiro represented Elon Musk in a securities fraud trial, leading to a verdict that found Musk not liable. The investors in the trial had alleged that Musk misled them when he tweeted in 2018 that he had 'funding secured' to take Tesla private.{{Cite news |last=Greene |first=Jenna |date=2023-02-11 |title=What does Musk lawyer Alex Spiro say is the secret to winning? A very good question. |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/what-does-musk-lawyer-alex-spiro-say-is-secret-winning-very-good-question-2023-02-10/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |work=Reuters |language=en}}
Spiro also represented Tesla in a retrial involving a lawsuit filed by former contract worker Owen Diaz. Initially, Diaz was awarded $136.9 million in damages for facing racism at Tesla's premises. However, after an appeal and a new trial with Spiro on the defense team, the damages were reduced to approximately $3.2 million.{{Cite web |last=Ruffo |first=Gustavo Henrique |date=2023-04-05 |title=Owen Diaz Sued Tesla for Racism and Won $136.9 Million, But May Get Only $3.2 Million |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/owen-diaz-sued-tesla-for-racism-and-won-1369-million-but-may-get-only-32-million-213008.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=autoevolution |language=en}}
In March 2024, Spiro represented Elon Musk in a defamation lawsuit from Benjamin Brody that accused Musk of falsely suggesting that Brody was a government agent who participated in a neo-Nazi brawl.{{Cite news |date=2024-03-28 |title=Musk questioned in defamation lawsuit over X post about street brawl |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/musk-questioned-defamation-lawsuit-over-x-post-about-street-brawl-2024-03-28/ |work=Reuters}} Spiro faced sanctions over the case for "unauthorized practice of law" due to not being licensed to practice in Texas, where the case was brought.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-09 |title=Musk lawyer Alex Spiro faces sanctions bid in Texas defamation fight |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/musk-lawyer-alex-spiro-faces-sanctions-bid-texas-defamation-fight-2024-04-09/ |work=Reuters}} A Texas judge dismissed the sanction requests in March 2024, allowing Spiro to continue serving as Musk's lawyer in the defamation case.{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=David |date=29 May 2024 |title=Elon Musk lawyer Spiro avoids sanctions as defamation lawsuit proceeds |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/elon-musk-lawyer-alex-spiro-beats-sanctions-bid-defamation-lawsuit-2024-05-29/ |website=Reuters}}{{Cite web |title=Elon Musk Lawyer Avoids Sanction, Granted Admittance in Defamation Case |url=https://www.law.com/texaslawyer/2024/05/29/elon-musk-lawyer-avoids-sanction-granted-admittance-in-defamation-case/?slreturn=20250511180753 |access-date=2025-05-11 |website=Texas Lawyer |language=en}}
In December 2024, he defended Musk after the SEC renewed its investigation into Neuralink.{{cite web |title=Musk Ups SEC Feud by Posting Letter Disclosing Neuralink Probe |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-13/musk-ups-sec-feud-by-posting-letter-disclosing-neuralink-probe |publisher=Bloomberg}}
References
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Category:Tufts University alumni
Category:Harvard Law School alumni
Category:American criminal defense lawyers