Rita Glavin - Glavin PLLC

Rita Glavin is nationally recognized as a top litigator and trial lawyer. A former federal prosecutor, Rita has significant experience handling complex civil litigation, white collar criminal cases, government enforcement and regulatory matters and internal investigations.

Rita is a trusted advocate representing clients in both high-profile cases and matters that remain confidential. She has tried more than 20 cases to verdict.

Known for her tenacity, integrity and fairness, Rita has been recognized by several industry publications as a leading litigator including Chambers USA and Benchmark Litigation as a top litigator; one of the top 500 lawyers in America by Lawdragon; a white collar “trailblazer” by the National Law Journal, and among the New York Law Power 100 and the Albany Power 100 by City & State NY. She has been awarded the New York State Bar Association’s Shira A. Scheindlin Award for Excellence in the Courtroom.

Quoting her peers, Chambers USA described Rita as “an absolutely fantastic attorney and fierce advocate,” an “experienced trial lawyer who gets terrific results in high-profile cases,” “incredibly smart, thorough and an absolute fighter,” and “one of the best trial lawyers I have ever seen.” The New York Law Journal observed that she is “formidable and quick on her feet” in the courtroom.

Among her most high-profile representations, Rita represents the former New York governor in legal proceedings stemming from an investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office regarding alleged sexual harassment. She won acquittals on all charges of a major law firm leader accused of fraud in a closely watched 14-week trial, and successfully prosecuted criminal contempt proceedings against a high-profile disbarred lawyer who repeatedly violated court orders.

Rita has represented corporations and individuals in a diverse variety of matters ranging from financial and banking crimes, securities fraud and insider trading to the FCPA, an impeachment investigation, a state ethics investigation, antitrust and tax offenses.

She defends multinational corporations, executives and individuals in all aspects of government investigations and civil litigation. She has appeared before federal, state and international agencies, including the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, FTC, FINRA, NYSDFS, New York State Ethics Commission, the New York State Attorney General, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority.

Before entering private practice, Rita spent almost 12 years as a federal prosecutor, including as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and as the interim head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. She began her legal career as a clerk for the Honorable John F. Keenan in the Southern District of New York.

Recent Matters

Representing a former elected official in an investigation by the New York Attorney General, related civil lawsuits, and a related criminal case in which the charges were dismissed.
Represented a former prime minister in civil lawsuits alleging criminal conduct over the course of several years, and successfully filed motions that resulted in dismissal of those cases.
Representing a former Russian diplomat in a federal criminal case alleging he conspired with a former FBI counterintelligence agent and sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska to provide business intelligence services to Deripaska in violation of U.S. sanctions.
Representing individuals in Congressional investigations, including investigations concerning Hunter Biden and the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic by state governments.
Successfully sued the New York Attorney General in an Article 78 proceeding, resulting in a court ordering the New York Attorney General to reverse a decision concerning the Public Officers Law.
Representing a CEO in a civil lawsuit filed under the Adult Survivors Act alleging criminal conduct.
Represented former Dewey & LeBoeuf executive director Stephen DiCarmine in a securities fraud indictment, securing acquittals on all charges in a closely watched 14-week trial.
Secured a favorable plea agreement for high-profile thoroughbred racehorse trainer resolving criminal charges regarding the alleged administration of prohibited substances to racehorses to improve race performance.
Selected as a special prosecutor by a federal judge in the Southern District of New York to prosecute criminal contempt charges against a litigant for longstanding and repeated violations of court orders.
Represented a hedge fund in an investigation and settlement with the CFTC concerning alleged manipulative trading activity in futures contracts.