Paul Shechtman

Paul Shechtman has more than 30 years of experience drawn from government service and private practice. Among New York’s most respected and sought-after litigators, he has been recognized in numerous industry rankings for his appellate and white collar work. Mr. Shechtman represents individuals, corporations, and municipal agencies in a wide range of federal and state criminal and regulatory investigations. He has experience in matters relating to antitrust law, health care fraud, insider trading, and other complex criminal cases. Professional Highlights * In 2012, Mr. Shechtman represented New York Crane Company, which was indicted for manslaughter and other crimes arising out of an accident at 91st Street in Manhattan. The highly publicized trial resulted in an acquittal on all counts. Mr. Shechtman cross-examined the prosecution’s star witness—a New York Crane mechanic who had pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide—and got him to acknowledge that, despite his guilty plea, he was safety conscious and indeed may not have done anything wrong. * In 2011, Mr. Shechtman represented the chief operating officer (COO) of a health care company who was charged with state felony counts that carried a mandatory prison sentence. Mr. Shechtman persuaded the New York Court of Appeals to dismiss the top count, which charged insurance fraud, on the ground that the legislature had “failed to criminalize the conduct at issue.” The client ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received no jail time; he was allowed to continue to participate in the Medicaid program. * In 2004, Mr. Shechtman represented Gov. George Pataki in Pataki v. Silver in the New York Court of Appeals. That landmark case centered on the governor’s powers in the budget-making process—more specifically on the meaning of Article VII, §4 of the New York State Constitution, which states that the legislature “may not alter an appropriate bill submitted by the governor except to strike out or reduce items therein.” After hearing oral argument for more than three hours, the Court of Appeals issued an opinion that “resolve[d] the dispute in the Governor’s favor." Honors * Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2011—present; Trial Lawyers, 2014 * The Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2006—present * International Who's Who of Business Lawyers, Business Crime, 2011—present * Local Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2013—present * Super Lawyers, 2007—present * New York City White-Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2015 * Charles F. Crimi Memorial Award, New York State Bar Association, 2014 * Winning, The National Law Journal, 2013 * Milton S. Gould Award for Outstanding Oral Advocacy, Office of the Appellate Defender, 2013 * AV® Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell