Attorney Roy Black dies at 80: High-profile defense lawyer represented Epstein, Bieber, William Kennedy Smith; peers mourn loss

Time of India

5 days ago

Roy Black ( image credit: Black Srebnick law firm)
Roy Black, an eminent Miami defence lawyer who defended notable clients including
Jeffrey Epstein
has passed away at 80 years old, according to his law partner's statement on Tuesday.
According to the Miami Herald, Black, who had two children, died at his Coral Gables residence on Monday.
Blackwas a founding partner of the law firm Black Srebnick. "For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend," said his law partner, Howard Srebnick, in an email to The Associated Press. "The loss(es) I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable."
In Miami's legal community, Black was considered the finest practitioner of his time, according to fellow defence lawyer David O. Markus, who drew parallels between his departed colleague and basketball legend Michael Jordan.
"He worked harder than any lawyer I know. And he outlawyered every prosecutor who he ever went up against. I will miss him. His impact on criminal defense is beyond measure," Markus wrote in an email to the news organisation.
Jackie Perczek, another law partner of Black, stated that she learned from him that it was a lawyer's duty to 'fiercely battle the oppressors and support the underdog.' She added, 'This generation and many to come stand on his shoulders.'
Black was among the attorneys who represented Jeffrey Epstein and fought to prevent a federal judge from tossing Epstein's controversial plea deal on grounds that victims hadn't been informed. His efforts ultimately succeeded- but only after Epstein's death, according to the Palm Beach Post.
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Apart from Epstein, Black successfully represented numerous high-profile clients, including pop star
Justin Bieber
, William Kennedy Smith and motorsport competitor Helio Castroneves.
Smith's 1991 case received nationwide coverage and television broadcast after he faced accusations of assault against a woman in Palm Beach following an evening of drinking. He was cleared of all charges. Smith, currently a medical practitioner involved with an anti-landmine organisation, is related to former president John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and US Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and former Sen. Edward M.
Kennedy as their nephew.
Regarding Bieber's case, the singer faced accusations of operating a Lamborghini whilst impaired and participating in drag racing. He subsequently entered a not guilty plea to minor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest.
Castroneves, an Indianapolis 500 champion, was acquitted of attempting to evade over $2 million in tax payments.
Black's other notable clients included the late conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh; Amid Khoury, who was found innocent of bribing a Georgetown University tennis coach for his daughter's admission; and Miami police officer William Lozano, who was acquitted in the fatal shooting of Black motorcyclist Clement Lloyd.
Black was also a adjunct professor at University of Miami School of Law, a position he has held since 1973, which is also his alma mater, according to his law firm's website.