For more than 50 years, Charles E. Clayman has fought for justice in the courtrooms of New York City and is considered by many to be one of the elder statesmen of criminal defense attorneys. Clayman’s work as a pioneering attorney and steadfast advocate for justice, combined with a deep philanthropic commitment and civic engagement, make him a deserving recipient of the New York Legal Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor.

As one of the very first attorneys to establish a boutique white collar criminal law firm directly from a prosecutor’s office, Clayman has almost single-handedly forged a path in criminal defense that is now well trodden.