A federal investigation or indictment can put your freedom, career, reputation, and family at risk. The lawyer you choose should understand federal investigations, federal court procedure, and what it actually takes to defend a serious criminal case through trial.
Fast Law represents individuals, executives, professionals, and businesses in high-stakes federal criminal matters in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in federal courts throughout the country.
Our team includes former state and federal prosecutors and experienced criminal trial lawyers who represent clients from investigation and arrest through detention, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
Please provide only the basic information needed for the Firm to evaluate your inquiry and complete a conflicts check. Do not submit sensitive, privileged, or detailed information until the Firm confirms that it can speak with you.
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Federal criminal cases often begin long before an arrest.
Federal prosecutors may spend months or years developing evidence through grand jury subpoenas, cooperating witnesses, wiretaps, search warrants, surveillance, financial records, electronic communications, confidential sources, and multiple federal agencies.
By the time someone learns that charges have been filed, the government may already have an extensive investigative record.
The defense needs to begin its own investigation immediately.
Fast Law examines how the government built the case, what the evidence actually proves, where witnesses or agents may be wrong, whether constitutional violations occurred, whether the government’s theory can withstand scrutiny, and how the case should be positioned for motions, negotiations, or trial.
We do not assume the government’s characterization of the evidence is correct simply because a case has been charged federally.
Elena Fast served as first-chair trial counsel and Lawrence Gerzog served as second-chair counsel in a federal prosecution alleging that the client led a large-scale narcotics organization responsible for two murders and a fatal overdose.
The jury found the client not guilty on two counts.
The Firm represented one of the lead defendants in a large-scale federal narcotics manufacturing and trafficking prosecution.
The client faced a statutory maximum of life imprisonment and a Guidelines range calling for life. The Firm negotiated a plea agreement containing a 60-month sentencing cap, and the court imposed 60 months.
The Firm secured a 24-month sentence in a $40 million federal fraud prosecution.
Motion practice and forensic analysis of the alleged loss helped produce a favorable plea agreement, and the sentence imposed was more than 50% below the bottom of the applicable Guidelines range.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.
Most federal criminal cases are resolved without a jury verdict.
That does not make trial experience irrelevant.
Trial preparation affects decisions made throughout a federal case: which evidence should be investigated, which witnesses should be challenged, which motions should be filed, whether a proposed plea appropriately reflects the evidence, and whether the defense is prepared to reject an unacceptable resolution.
Fast Law’s attorneys have collectively handled more than 70 matters to verdict. Founding attorney Elena Fast has personally tried more than 25 matters to verdict as lead counsel.
The Firm approaches serious federal matters with the understanding that the case may ultimately have to be litigated in court.
Wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, securities-related offenses, tax offenses, and complex financial schemes.
Federal drug conspiracies, distribution and trafficking allegations, controlled-substance cases, overdose-related allegations, and matters involving mandatory minimum sentences.
Racketeering, RICO, organized-crime, and conspiracy prosecutions involving alleged coordinated or enterprise conduct.
Prohibited-person firearm cases, possession offenses, firearms allegedly connected to drug offenses, and other federal weapons allegations.
Serious federal sex-offense investigations and prosecutions, including cases involving child sexual abuse material and electronic evidence.
Cases involving financial transactions, alleged criminal proceeds, businesses, bank records, cryptocurrency, or international transfers.
Investigations and prosecutions involving alleged obstruction, witness conduct, false statements, or interference with federal proceedings.
Fast Law accepts serious federal criminal matters nationwide when appropriate, subject to admission and local-counsel requirements.
A person may first learn of a federal matter through a target letter, grand jury subpoena, search warrant, contact from federal agents, or information that others are being interviewed. Getting counsel involved at this stage can be critical.
Federal prosecutors may seek detention pending trial. Defense counsel can address the statutory detention factors and propose conditions designed to reasonably assure appearance and community safety.
Federal discovery can involve enormous quantities of electronic communications, financial records, recordings, surveillance, search-warrant material, and reports. The defense should conduct its own investigation rather than simply review what the government provides.
Depending on the case, motions may challenge searches, statements, identification evidence, expert testimony, indictment issues, discovery violations, or other aspects of the prosecution.
Some matters can be resolved through an acceptable negotiated disposition. Others should be litigated. The correct strategy depends on the evidence, legal issues, sentencing exposure, and client’s objectives.
Federal sentencing involves substantially more than calculating an advisory Guidelines range. Effective sentencing advocacy can address Guidelines disputes, mitigation, the client’s role, loss or drug calculations, sentencing disparities, history and characteristics, and the factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
Fast Law also handles federal appeals and post-conviction matters when further litigation is warranted.
Fast Law is based in Manhattan and regularly handles federal criminal matters in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
The Firm also accepts appropriate federal matters elsewhere in the country and may work with local counsel when required.
Federal practice is not simply state criminal practice in a different courthouse. Local procedures, detention practice, discovery, sentencing, plea negotiations, and courtroom expectations can differ substantially.
Clients should have counsel comfortable operating in that environment.
The team includes attorneys who previously served as state and federal prosecutors.
Fast Law’s attorneys have collectively handled more than 70 matters to verdict.
The Firm maintains a selective caseload and experienced lawyers remain directly involved in serious cases.
Representation can begin before charges and continue through trial, sentencing, appeal, and post-conviction litigation.
The practice is focused on cases that can materially affect a client’s liberty, career, business, finances, family, or reputation.
“Very professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated. Handled my case with care and delivered great results. Highly recommend.”
“Mr. Perkins picked up my case, talked everything through, and got my case dismissed.”
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Elena Fast is a former Brooklyn felony prosecutor and experienced criminal trial lawyer who has handled more than 25 matters to verdict as lead counsel. Her practice includes serious federal investigations, prosecutions, trials, sentencing proceedings, appeals, and post-conviction matters.
Lawrence Gerzog is a former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York whose practice includes serious federal criminal defense, trials, appeals, and complex litigation.
Michael Perkins represents clients in serious federal and New York criminal matters and has substantial courtroom and trial experience.
As early as possible. You do not need to wait for an indictment or arrest. Counsel can become involved after a target letter, subpoena, search warrant, request for interview, arrest, complaint, or indictment.
Federal matters are prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office and commonly involve federal agencies, grand juries, extensive electronic or financial evidence, federal detention proceedings, and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Yes. Representation can begin before charges or after an arrest or indictment and continue through motions, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and appeal.
No. Most do not. The decision whether to negotiate or proceed toward trial should depend on the evidence, legal issues, sentencing exposure, and client’s objectives.
Yes, when appropriate, subject to applicable admission requirements and local counsel where required.
Whether you are under investigation, recently arrested, already indicted, or approaching trial, understanding your options early matters.
Call Fast Law or request a consultation.
(212) 729-9494Please provide only the basic information needed for the Firm to evaluate your inquiry and complete a conflicts check. Do not submit sensitive, privileged, or detailed information until the Firm confirms that it can speak with you.