The Firm’s trial perspective is informed by experience on both sides of the courtroom. Elena Fast is a former Kings County (Brooklyn) felony prosecutor, and Lawrence Gerzog is a former Assistant United States Attorney from the Eastern District of New York. Before defending individuals accused of serious crimes, they tried criminal cases on behalf of the government. That experience informs how Fast Law evaluates witnesses, develops cross-examinations, anticipates prosecution strategies, litigates evidentiary issues, and prepares cases for trial.
The Firm’s trial experience includes federal narcotics and conspiracy prosecutions, murder and attempted-murder cases, sexual-assault prosecutions, firearms cases, white collar and fraud matters, and other serious felony charges. Fast Law attorneys have obtained complete acquittals, partial acquittals, and other favorable verdicts after jury trials in federal and state courts.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
| Result | Court / Year | Lead Trial Counsel | Charges | Outcome |
| Full Acquittal | Kings County Supreme Court, 2022 | Elena Fast & Michael Perkins | Criminal Sexual Act 3 | Not guilty on all counts; jury deliberated under 30 minutes |
| Full Acquittal | Broome County Court, 2023 | Elena Fast | Rape 1 | Not guilty on all counts, 2 hour jury deliberation |
| Full Acquittal | Kings County Supreme Court, 2025 | Elena Fast | Attempted Murder 2 and CPW 2 | Not guilty on all counts, 4 hour jury deliberation |
| Partial Acquittal | W.D.N.Y., 2018 | Elena Fast & Lawrence Gerzog | Murder of a Federal Cooperator, Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Narcotics Conspiracy | Acquittal on two counts after multi-week federal trial |
| Partial Acquittal | S.D.N.Y., · 2026 | Elena Fast & Michael Perkins | Narcotics conspiracy; § 924(c) | Acquitted of § 924(c) firearm count |
The Firm investigates the evidence, litigates legal issues, and approaches negotiations with an understanding of how the case may ultimately be presented to a judge or jury. The experience of former federal and state prosecutors on the defense team also provides insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, construct theories of liability, and present cases at trial. When a case requires trial, our attorneys are prepared to take it to verdict.
Fast Law is available to collaborate with other defense attorneys in serious federal and state criminal matters in SDNY, EDNY, DNJ and State Courts of New York. The Firm is sometimes brought into an existing defense team as a case approaches hearings or trial, particularly where additional trial experience, strategic motion practice, cross-examination, or courtroom preparation would benefit the defense. Fast Law attorneys are comfortable serving as lead counsel, co-counsel, or additional trial counsel and working collaboratively with attorneys who have already developed the case. Elena Fast is also fluent in Russian, which can be particularly valuable in trial preparation involving Russian-speaking clients or witnesses, including preparing testimony, reviewing prior statements, identifying inconsistencies, and developing cross-examination and trial strategy without relying exclusively on an interpreter.