Gerald Shargel

Shargel was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Leo Shargel, a paint-and-wallpaper store proprietor, and Lillian Edenzon Shargel on October 5, 1944.{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Sam |author-link1=Sam Roberts (newspaper journalist) |date=2022-07-17 |title=Gerald Shargel, Criminal Defense Lawyer for the Mob, Dies at 77 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/17/obituaries/gerald-shargel-dead.html |access-date=2022-07-18 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web |date=1944-10-05 |title=Gerald L. Shargel Lawyer Profile on |url=http://www.martindale.com/Gerald-L-Shargel/500628-lawyer.htm |access-date=2013-10-26 |publisher=Martindale.com}} He attended Bound Brook High School and graduated in 1966 from Rutgers University, where his mother worked as one of its math department's secretaries, and in 1969 from Brooklyn Law School, joining the New York bar shortly thereafter.{{cite web|url=http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/10091-ny-gerald-shargel-773223.html |title=Lawyer Gerald Shargel – New York Attorney |publisher=Avvo.com |date=2011-05-21 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite web|title=Gerald Lawrence Shargel|url=http://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorney/AttorneyDetails?attorneyId=5340555|website=New York State Unified Court System|access-date=23 July 2017}}

Shargel was widely regarded as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in New York.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/uh-oh-phonies-rule-day-article-1.265814 |title=Uh-oh: Phonies Rule the day |publisher=NY Daily News |date=2007-07-24 |access-date=2013-10-26 |location=New York}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lawline.com/cle/lecturer-bio.php?i=675&c=744 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128160241/http://www.lawline.com/cle/lecturer-bio.php?i=675&c=744 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-28 |title=Faculty Member Laura Brevetti, Joel Cohen, Bruce Green, Gerald Shargel |publisher=Lawline.com |date=2009-03-13 |access-date=2013-10-26 }} A 1998 profile in The New York Times referred to him as "regarded on Centre Street as a brilliant tactician and a very good trial lawyer with a successful white-collar practice".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/02/05/nyregion/public-lives-not-mob-lawyer-just-lawyer-uh-for-gotti.html |title=PUBLIC LIVES; Not Mob Lawyer. Just Lawyer. Uh, for Gotti. – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1998-02-05 |access-date=2013-10-26 |first=Joyce |last=Wadler}} In receiving the Thurgood Marshall Award for Outstanding Criminal Law Practitioner by the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2006, he was referred to as "one of the most brilliant criminal defense attorneys in America… quite possibly the finest of his generation".{{cite web |url=http://www.superlawyers.com/new-york-metro/lawyer/Gerald-L-Shargel/c1d51c7e-91e1-4987-a503-555891a9eba3.html |title=Gerald Shargel Lawyer in New York, Attorney NY |publisher=Super Lawyers |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029200044/http://www.superlawyers.com/new-york-metro/lawyer/Gerald-L-Shargel/c1d51c7e-91e1-4987-a503-555891a9eba3.html |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}

In a 1991 federal case against the Gambino crime family, Shargel was initially slated to represent underboss Sammy Gravano. However, Judge I. Leo Glasser barred Shargel and Bruce Cutler from representing, respectively, Gravano and Gotti, agreeing with prosecutors' assertion that the lawyers were "in-house counsel" to the Gambinos. Prosecutors, including John Gleeson, contended that since Shargel and Cutler may have known about criminal activity, they were "part of the evidence" and liable to be called as witnesses.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/27/nyregion/judge-disqualifies-gotti-s-lawyer-from-representing-him-at-trial.html |title=Judge Disqualifies Gotti's Lawyer From Representing Him at Trial – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1991-07-27 |access-date=2013-10-26 |first=Arnold H. |last=Lubasch}}

Shargel's other high-profile clients included Daniel Pelosi, who was charged with and later convicted of the second-degree murder of East Hampton millionaire Ted Ammon,{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pelosi-found-guilty-of-murder/ |title=Pelosi Found Guilty Of Murder |work=CBS News |date=2009-02-11 |access-date=2013-10-26}} and Robert "Joe" Halderman in the matter of Halderman's extortion of television personality David Letterman.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/CelebrityCafe/robert-haldermans-attorney-speaks-david-letterman-extortion-case/story?id=8749407 |title=Robert Halderman's Attorney Speaks Out on David Letterman Extortion Case – ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2009-10-05 |access-date=2013-10-26}} Shargel represented Halderman from October 2009 to March 9, 2010, when Halderman entered a plea-bargained guilty plea.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/10/nyregion/10letterman.html|title=Six Months in Jail for Letterman Plot|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2013-10-27|first1=John|last1=Eligon|first2=Brian|last2=Stelter|date=2010-03-09}}

Shargel was well known for his courtroom style and dramatic presentations, which may have helped some of his clients to be found not guilty. For example, in 2005, Murder Inc. record label owners Irv and Chris Gotti (who are no relation to his aforementioned client John) were acquitted on all charges, possibly partially due to the effect of his courtroom demeanor on the jury—as there were a number of lively exchanges between him and NYPD detective Anthony Castiglia during testimony.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/22/nyregion/22gotti.html?ref=irv_gotti|title=7,400 Bills Fit in Shoebox, a Detective Proves in Court|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2013-10-27|first=Alan|last=Feuer|date=2005-11-22}}[http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2005/11/22/2005-11-22_prosecution_demo_is_a_shoe-in.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504005358/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2005/11/22/2005-11-22_prosecution_demo_is_a_shoe-in.html |date=May 4, 2011 }}{{cite web |last=Breihan |first=Tom |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/archives/2005/11/irv_gotti_trial.php/ |title=Irv Gotti Trial: 50 Cent Shooting To Be Admitted? |publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com |date=2005-11-21 |access-date=2013-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022153907/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/statusainthood/archives/2005/11/irv_gotti_trial.php |archive-date=2008-10-22 }}

In 2012 Shargel defended hip hop mogul James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond, CEO of Czar Entertainment, in a federal trial in Brooklyn, New York, presided over by Judge Gleeson.{{cite news|last=Maddux |first=Mitchel |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/hip_hop_mogul_jimmy_henchman_guilty_HV2ODCEDH4A7lFbJXQ71sK |title=Hip-hop mogul 'Jimmy Henchman' guilty on all charges | New York Post |publisher=Nypost.com |date=2012-06-05 |access-date=2013-10-26}} Rosemond was convicted on all charges (including cocaine distribution, conspiracy, money laundering, firearms possession, and witness tampering), and on October 25, 2013, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/james-rosemond-hip-hop-s-jimmy-henchman-gets-life-1.6321722 |title=James Rosemond, hip-hop's "Jimmy Henchman," gets life |publisher=Newsday.com |date=2011-06-21 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/hip-hop-mogul-life-prison-drug-trafficking-article-1.1497044 |title=Hip Hop mogul Jimmy Rosemond gets life in prison for drug trafficking |publisher=NY Daily News |date= 2013-10-25|access-date=2013-10-26 |location=New York}}

Shargel also taught criminal law classes at his alma mater, Brooklyn Law School,{{cite news|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/criminal-defense-lawyer-closes-office-to-join-a-big-firm/|title=Criminal Defense Lawyer Closes Office to Join a Big Firm|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=2013-10-27|first=Peter|last=Lattman|date=2013-06-09}} where he held the position of Practitioner-In-Residence, teaching courses on evidence, criminal procedure, and trial advocacy.{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklaw.edu/faculty/directory/facultymember/biography.aspx?id=gerald.shargel |title=Biography |publisher=Brooklaw.edu |access-date=2013-10-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194940/http://www.brooklaw.edu/faculty/directory/facultymember/biography.aspx?id=gerald.shargel |archive-date=2013-10-29 }} He was also a frequent writer and commentator on legal issues that arise during high-profile criminal cases, which generate sustained national and regional media focus.{{Cite news |date=July 18, 2022|title=Gerald "Jerry" Shargel '69, Top Criminal Defense Attorney and Law School's Practitioner-in-Residence, Dies at 77 |url=https://www.brooklaw.edu/News-and-Events/News/2022/07/Gerald-Jerry-Shargel-69-Top-Criminal-Defense-Attorney-Law-School-Practitioner-in-Residence-Dies-77 |access-date=July 19, 2022|work=Brooklyn Law School}}

In 2018, he retired from active law practice, citing burnout.

Shargel died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at his residence in Manhattan on July 16, 2022, at the age of 77.

Shargel is survived by his two children, David and Johanna, and six grandchildren, Casey, Miles, Tatum, Theo, Eli, and James.

• Amanda Bynes{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/amanda-bynes-bong-case-resolved-article-1.1468226 |title=Amanda Bynes' bong-tossing case may be resolved in next Manhattan court appearance |publisher=NY Daily News |date= 2013-09-26|access-date=2013-10-26 |location=New York}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/07/09/amanda-bynes-goes-to-court/2501543/ |title=Amanda Bynes wears blue wig to court |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=2013-07-09 |access-date=2013-10-26 |first1=Ann |last1=Oldenburg}}
• New York State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens
• Texas oilman Oscar Wyatt who pleaded guilty to paying kickbacks to the Hussein administration to gain access to Iraqi oil contracts
• Restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/85fcafe1a165d3f0138e63a1cd9c7cc5 |title=Former Braniff President On Trial For Fraud |publisher=Apnewsarchive.com |date=1995-09-18 |access-date=2013-10-26}}
• James Coonan{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/25/nyregion/7-convicted-of-racketeering-1-acquitted-in-westies-trial.html |title=7 Convicted of Racketeering, 1 Acquitted, in Westies Trial – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1988-02-25 |access-date=2013-10-26 |first=Arnold H. |last=Lubasch}}
• Gurmeet Singh Dhinsa, who was found guilty{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/01/06/nyregion/schedule-may-force-top-lawyer-off-gotti-team.html |title=Schedule May Force Top Lawyer Off Gotti Team – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1999-01-06 |access-date=2013-10-26 |first=Selwyn |last=Raab}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/2-views-gas-mogul-slay-rap-article-1.781514 |title=2 VIEWS OF GAS MOGUL IN SLAY RAP |publisher=NY Daily News |date=1997-07-10 |access-date=2013-10-26 |location=New York}}{{cite web|url=http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=search&case=/data2/circs/2nd/981605.html |title=FindLaw | Cases and Codes |publisher=Caselaw.lp.findlaw.com |access-date=2013-10-26}}
• Christopher "Chris Gotti" Lorenzo, co-founder of Murder Inc. Records who was acquitted of all charges of money laundering and conspiracy to launder money against him{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/2005-12-02-lorenzo-murder-inc-acquitted_x.htm |title=USATODAY.com – Irving Lorenzo of Murder Inc. acquitted |publisher=Usatoday30.usatoday.com |date=2005-12-02 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/war-hip-hop-ja-rule-blasts-trial-gotti-bros-article-1.631511 |title='War On Hip Hop' Ja Rule Blasts Trial Against 'Gotti' Bros. |publisher=NY Daily News |date=2005-11-17 |access-date=2013-10-26 |location=New York}}{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60576/mcgriff-lorenzo-link-debated-at-trial |title=McGriff, Lorenzo Link Debated At Trial |publisher=Billboard |access-date=2013-10-26}}
• John Gotti
• John Gotti's son, John A. Gotti{{cite web|last=Fleischer |first=Matt |url=http://observer.com/1999/02/mob-prosecutor-fired-for-leaking-to-press-in-john-a-gotti-trial/ |title=Mob Prosecutor Fired for Leaking to Press in John A. Gotti Trial | The New York Observer |date=February 15, 1999 |publisher=Observer.com |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite web |url=http://cjonline.com/stories/040699/new_gotti.shtml |title=John 'Junior' Gotti pleads guilty to racketeering, bribery, extortion on eve of trial |publisher=CJOnline.com |date=1999-04-06 |access-date=2013-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105032056/http://cjonline.com/stories/040699/new_gotti.shtml |archive-date=2013-11-05 |url-status=dead }}
• Joe Halderman{{cite web|last=Graham |first=Mark |url=https://www.vulture.com/2009/10/halderman_lawyer.html |title=David Letterman's Alleged Extortioner's Lawyer Went on the Today Show and It Wasn't Pretty |publisher=Vulture |date=2013-09-04 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-letterman-extortion-suspect-robert-joe-halderman-to-seek-dismissal-of-case/ |title=David Letterman Extortion Suspect Robert "Joe" Halderman to Seek Dismissal of Case – Crimesider |work=CBS News |date=2009-11-10 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite web|last=Graham |first=Mark |url=https://www.vulture.com/2009/11/aspriring_screenwriter_robert.html |title=Aspiring Screenwriter Robert 'Joe' Halderman Insists That He Just Wanted to Sell David Letterman His Screenplay |publisher=Vulture |date=2013-09-04 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/10/letterman.extortion/ |title=Letterman extortion suspect's lawyer seeks dismissal |publisher=CNN.com |date= 2009-11-10|access-date=2013-10-26}}
• Daniel Pelosi{{cite web|last=Eaton |first=Phoebe |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/columns/courtside/10363/ |title=Danny Pelosi's Biggest Problem |publisher=Nymag.com |date=2013-10-18 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=334450 |title=Behind the Daniel Pelosi Murder Case – ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2004-12-15 |access-date=2013-10-26}}
• Marc Dreier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison{{cite web|url=http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/a_view_from_the_inside_new_documentary_looks_at_fraudster_marc_dreier/ |title=A View From the Inside: New Documentary Looks at Fraudster Marc Dreier |publisher=Abajournal.com |date=2012-04-01 |access-date=2013-10-26}}[http://blogs.artinfo.com/outtakes/2012/04/13/unraveled-lonely-in-the-penthouse-–-and-in-prison/] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710050105/http://blogs.artinfo.com/outtakes/2012/04/13/unraveled-lonely-in-the-penthouse-%E2%80%93-and-in-prison/ |date=July 10, 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Slater |first=Dan |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/12/11/dreier-doing-time-alone-you-could-lose-your-mind-in-three-weeks/ |title=Dreier Doing Time Alone: "You Could Lose Your Mind in Three Weeks" – Law Blog – WSJ |publisher=Blogs.wsj.com |date=2008-12-11 |access-date=2013-10-26}}{{cite web|author=Scott Cohn |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/11/08/did-marc-dreier-get-the-punishment-he-deserved.html |title=Did Marc Dreier Get the Punishment He Deserved? |publisher=CNBC |date=2012-11-08 |access-date=2013-10-26}}
• Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano
• James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond
• Johnny "Machinegun Johnny" Eng{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/15/nyregion/ex-head-of-chinatown-gang-is-guilty-of-leading-drug-ring.html |title=Ex-Head of Chinatown Gang Is Guilty of Leading Drug Ring – New York Times |work=The New York Times |date=1992-12-15 |access-date=2013-10-27 |first=Arnold H. |last=Lubasch}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [https://archive.today/20070930060008/http://www.shargellaw.com/AttorneysShargel.php The Law Offices of Gerald L. Shargel]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080520122610/http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lishar213985411sep26,0,5483258.story Pelosi Trial: Profile of Gerald Shargel], from New York Newsday
• [http://www.slate.com/id/2102352/ "No Mercy: Ronald Reagan's tough legal legacy"]—Critical assessment of President Reagan's legacy by Gerald Shargel on ''Slate
• [http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/gerald_shargel/ Gerald Shargel Quotes]
• [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0306/29/sun.18.html Interview with Jerry Shargel] on CNN Live Sunday

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shargel, Gerald}}

Category:1944 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:Bound Brook High School alumni

Category:Brooklyn Law School alumni

Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in New York (state)

Category:Deaths from dementia in New York (state)

Category:New York (state) lawyers

Category:People from New Brunswick, New Jersey

Category:Rutgers University alumni