Alex Spiro.

Alex Spiro, who spent the last four years at criminal defense boutique Brafman & Associates, moved to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan as a partner this week.

Spiro has often represented high-profile litigants and professional athletes at the Brafman firm.

Among others, Spiro represented Thabo Sefolosha, now of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz, in a false arrest case against New York City; ex-Knicks star Charles Oakley, charged with assault, harassment and trespass after being ejected from Madison Square Garden; and New York Giants lineman Jay Bromley in an alleged rape case.

Other clients include the brother of Kathleen Durst in wrongful death lawsuit against Robert Durst; and the ex-husband of reality TV star Bethenny Frankel in an alleged harassment case.

Part of his practice includes white-collar defense cases, including representing Tyler Peters, a former Nomura bonds trader who was acquitted after a securities fraud trial this year.

Spiro, who joined Quinn on Monday, said he was not actively interviewing at firms but joining Quinn was “an opportunity to further diversify and expand my practice” into other types of litigation. He said he had worked with Quinn Emanuel lawyers in previous cases and firm leaders John Quinn and William Burck were instrumental in his decision to join.

At his new firm, he said he will continue to represent defendants in white-collar and government investigations, as well as celebrities and athletes, and he intends to branch out to other types of litigation. Spiro said he will continue to handle most of the cases he was handling at the Brafman firm.

Burck, co-chair of Quinn's investigations, government enforcement and white-collar criminal defense practice, said in a statement, “Alex is a young superstar in the New York defense bar. His moxie, toughness and strategic brilliance make him a perfect fit for our firm.”

Spiro, 34, who was previously a prosecutor at the Manhattan DA's office, said his move from the Brafman firm was amicable, describing Benjamin Brafman as a “great colleague and mentor.”

Brafman, who recently hired attorney Teny Geragos, daughter of Los Angeles-based celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos, said in an emailed comment that he wishes Spiro well.

Alex Spiro.

Alex Spiro, who spent the last four years at criminal defense boutique Brafman & Associates, moved to Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan as a partner this week.

Spiro has often represented high-profile litigants and professional athletes at the Brafman firm.

Among others, Spiro represented Thabo Sefolosha, now of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz, in a false arrest case against New York City; ex-Knicks star Charles Oakley, charged with assault, harassment and trespass after being ejected from Madison Square Garden; and New York Giants lineman Jay Bromley in an alleged rape case.

Other clients include the brother of Kathleen Durst in wrongful death lawsuit against Robert Durst; and the ex-husband of reality TV star Bethenny Frankel in an alleged harassment case.

Part of his practice includes white-collar defense cases, including representing Tyler Peters, a former Nomura bonds trader who was acquitted after a securities fraud trial this year.

Spiro, who joined Quinn on Monday, said he was not actively interviewing at firms but joining Quinn was “an opportunity to further diversify and expand my practice” into other types of litigation. He said he had worked with Quinn Emanuel lawyers in previous cases and firm leaders John Quinn and William Burck were instrumental in his decision to join.

At his new firm, he said he will continue to represent defendants in white-collar and government investigations, as well as celebrities and athletes, and he intends to branch out to other types of litigation. Spiro said he will continue to handle most of the cases he was handling at the Brafman firm.

Burck, co-chair of Quinn's investigations, government enforcement and white-collar criminal defense practice, said in a statement, “Alex is a young superstar in the New York defense bar. His moxie, toughness and strategic brilliance make him a perfect fit for our firm.”

Spiro, 34, who was previously a prosecutor at the Manhattan DA's office, said his move from the Brafman firm was amicable, describing Benjamin Brafman as a “great colleague and mentor.”

Brafman, who recently hired attorney Teny Geragos, daughter of Los Angeles-based celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos, said in an emailed comment that he wishes Spiro well.