Nathans & Ripke LLP is a litigation firm composed of elite trial and appellate lawyers devoted to complex civil disputes and criminal defense. We provide corporations and individuals with experienced, uncompromising representation in all phases of civil and criminal matters, which includes federal and state felony/misdemeanor trials, appeals, and administrative or regulatory proceedings. Driven by a sense of loyalty and commitment to our clients, we often excel at achieving early victories outside the public eye.
The diversity of our clientele reflects the quality and breadth of our attorneys' experience. With over 60 years of combined trial experience, Nathans & Ripke attorneys represent senior executives, corporations, attorneys, politicians, and other professionals in criminal proceedings and related civil, professional and personal matters. We are providing comprehensive litigation support to our clients, extending beyond the primary investigation or court proceedings, to address collateral professional or academic sanctions, parallel civil proceedings, and adverse media attention. We render thoughtful judgment and vigorous advocacy and help our clients conquer their most significant legal challenges.
Nathans & Ripke attorneys are licensed in Maryland, the District of Columbia, New York, Florida, New Jersey, the United States Supreme Court, as well as numerous federal district and circuit courts. If you have a pressing legal matter that you wish to discuss, contact Nathans & Biddle, LLP to schedule a confidential consultation.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York seized over $1.5 million in funds set aside for retirement, alimony, child support, and college expenses for child and ex-wife of indicted defendant; over $1 million recovered.
In recent years, federal investigations into possible environmental crimes have been on the rise. More and more individuals and small business owners are finding themselves overcome by criminal investigations. The Baltimore environmental crimes lawyers at Nathans & Ripke LLP draw upon their near 100 years of combined federal criminal defense experience to protect the interests of individuals, companies, and government entities accused of violating federal environmental laws.
DUI/DWI
Sex Crimes
Seward, George (Baltimore County) – Mr. Seward was awarded a new trial and his rape conviction was vacated after his Writ of Actual Innocence Petition was granted. Mr. Seward’s victory was upheld on appeal.
Fraud
In recent years, the IRS and plaintiff’s attorneys have increased their efforts to identify and prosecute individuals and businesses engaging in accounting fraud and tax evasion.
Robbery
Dear Mr. Nathans, I hope this email finds you well. You probably won’t remember me off hand, but you represented me years ago for charges that I brought upon myself. It was 1987, when I was accused of Bank Robbery and several other state robberies. I remember the experience very well. Even after you got the (federal) charges dropped against me you helped me get my state charges dropped in Prince George’s County. What a mess I was in. But, in short, I’m writing you to say “thank you” and to let you know that you were a real blessing to me. I want you to know that I almost immediately made changes in my life to be a positive being in the lives of others. I want you to know that I actually prayed for an Angel to come to my aid, because I was really in a mess. I really had no idea that I had brought these things onto myself. I just thought the world was against me and I was just going to do what I could to survive. I believe that you saw something in me that was good, and that you did what you could to help me. This on top of being "really good" at what you did for a living. I followed you years later when the internet came about to see how you were doing and what you were doing. I had no idea that you were THIS good. I prayed, and I was truly sent the best. I am so thankful to this day; and you need to know that you were truly and still an Angel sent to me. I really believe this. I tell my girlfriend now, who knows my whole story, that I wouldn't be here today if not for you and what you did for me. I am so thankful!!!
Burglary
Father of young professional adult client writing after his son’s burglary and malicious destruction charges were dismissed
White Collar Crimes
Nathans & Ripke LLP has a preeminent forfeiture practice headed by Robert Biddle, a nationally recognized professional in the field. Former Co-Chair of the ABA White Collar Crime Committee's Forfeiture Subcommittee, Mr. Biddle has lectured nationally and trained numerous groups of attorneys regarding forfeiture practice and procedure.
Theft
Misdemeanors
It is important to note that it is not technically illegal to use marijuana in public in the state of Maryland. In fact, while bar and restaurant owners may face fines for allowing patrons to smoke tobacco products in their facilities, there are no such restrictions for smoking marijuana. However, it is still illegal to possess any amount of marijuana here, although the possession of 10 grams or less is punishable by only a $100 fine. Individuals may face misdemeanor or felony charges if they are accused of possession with the intent to distribute.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is a type of theft, specifically any fraudulent appropriation of money or property that was entrusted to them, most usually from an employer. An individual can be charged with embezzlement regardless of whether or not the defendant kept the money or property for personal gain or transferred it to another party. Examples of embezzlement include...
Drug Crimes
The Baltimore federal drug crime attorneys at Nathans & Ripke LLP share nearly 100 years of combined experience representing clients facing the severity of a federal sentence. Our accomplished lawyers have represented clients charged with federal drug charges in various federal and Maryland State Circuit and District Courts.
Assault
Baltimore City assault charges were dismissed immediately before trial for our attorney-client who was alleged to have assaulted a company employee during her termination.
Murder
Collins, Dana (St. Mary’s County) – A new trial was ordered for Mr. Collins after extensive evidence was presented during a protracted post-conviction hearing concerning Mr. Collin’s mental health before and during the time frame in which he pled guilty to murder. Mr. Collin’s subsequently declined a plea to second-degree murder and lost his new trial represented by different counsel.
Identity Theft
On December 19, 2012, a United States District Court jury in Greenbelt, Maryland acquitted Graci Bellosi after a four-week federal criminal trial. She was indicted on 10 federal criminal counts including prescription medication distribution, health care fraud, and aggravated identity theft. She was found not guilty on every count. Had she not prevailed, she was looking at a federal sentencing guidelines range of 20-30 years.
Homicide
In Federal Habeas Corpus §2254 action, Baltimore Federal Court Judge orders new trial for state court Homicide defendent where trial attorneys' error led to admission of otherwise inadmissible evidence. Maryland Attorney General declines to appeal.
Arson
Marshall, Roy (Carroll County) – A new trial was ordered in Mr. Marshall’s business arson-related conviction after a hard-fought post-conviction hearing based on our proof of ineffective assistance of counsel claims and
Restraining Order
Nathans & Ripke LLP persuaded a Baltimore federal judge to enter a temporary restraining order barring the Federal Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") from transferring a client from a local halfway house, to an out of state-federal prison, after the BOP changed the eligibility requirements.
Forgery
Our Baltimore academic proceedings practice is headed by lawyer Booth M. Ripke, who has successfully represented students at a number of nationally recognized institutions during contested disciplinary proceedings. In prior cases, Mr. Ripke has successfully assisted students in avoiding academic disciplinary sanctions despite charges of harassment, drinking, substance abuse, and confrontations with law enforcement. Mr. Ripke has also represented clients in cases involving dishonesty, forgery, and potential loss of scholarships.
Money Laundering
In recent years, prosecutions for money laundering have grown as federal investigators refine their methods for uncovering money laundering operations. Many tools were developed in response to various white collar scandals and concerns that money laundering may be used to fund terrorist operations. The prosecutions are expected to intensify as continuing political pressures push law enforcement to step up identification, conviction, and punishment of alleged launderers.
Internet Crimes
Substantial downward departure, not related to cooperation, in Greenbelt Federal internet crime case - resulted in a sentence of home detention rather than imprisonment.
Extortion
Washington County prosecutors held a press conference after indicting an individual with two counts of attempted felony extortion. Thereafter, in January, 2008, after Larry Nathans had been hired and completed a thorough defense investigation of the charges, the Washington County State's Attorney's Office dismissed the felony extortion charges. The client entered a no contest plea (not an admission of guilt) to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to Probation Before Judgment (not a conviction) with unsupervised probation and a $250 fine.
At the federal level, the IRS tends to look for tax negligence as manifesting in a cluster of factors potentially including the inaccurate filing combined with: a history of noncompliance; similar mistakes made in previous tax filings; poor record-keeping; failure to establish effective processes for reporting business transactions; or poor organization of documents and understanding of how the computations work.
Antitrust
The elite trial attorneys at Nathans & Ripke LLP are committed to asserting and defending the rights of individuals accused of state and federal antitrust violations. Our Baltimore antitrust defense lawyers are well versed in the intricacies of complex antitrust laws and regulations at the state and federal level.
District Court of Columbia Court of Appeals Reversal of District of Columbia Superior Court’s decision dismissing wrongful termination case against former BET executive.
However, in order to convict someone of real estate fraud, prosecutors must prove the accused knowingly acted in a fraudulent manner. By interviewing eyewitnesses, underwriters, bank managers, appraisers, and others, we can often demonstrate that our client was misled or unaware that they were a party to mortgage fraud. This may be as simple as recovering a bank's internal memos or as complicated as deciphering the underwriting codes used by a bank.
Real Estate Transactions
In the vast majority of mortgage fraud cases, investigators discover that an applicant's reported assets, income, or job information on a loan application has been falsified. In cases involving house flipping, a loan application may not accurately report the buyer-in-interest or the source of a down payment. Unwary people are often misled by mortgage brokers, sellers, relatives, or business partners and unknowingly participate in these fraudulent real estate transactions.
Nathans & Ripke LLP has also successfully represented clients involved in state security litigation, non-compete disputes, lawsuits arising from mistreatment in hospitals and police misconduct, false arrest claims, and other personal injury claims. Our firm also acts as local counsel for out-of-state law firms and corporations in various matters in federal courts in Baltimore and Greenbelt and in state courts throughout Maryland.
Bar Counsel's decision not to docket case against trusts and estates lawyer for failure to diligently represent interests of estate and rejecting heir's claim of attorney misrepresentation and theft of assets.