Atty. Benjamin Gruenstein

Atty. Benjamin Gruenstein

Benjamin Gruenstein serves as a trusted advisor to companies, boards of directors and senior executives navigating their most consequential legal challenges in the areas of government and internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation. Before launching Gruenstein Law, Ben spent 14 years as a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he was a founding member of the firm’s Investigations and Regulatory Enforcement Practice.

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Profile Summary

About Benjamin Gruenstein at a glance

Benjamin Gruenstein is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Gruenstein Law. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1999) and Harvard University (—, 1996). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA (2026). Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Benjamin Gruenstein serves as a trusted advisor to companies, boards of directors and senior executives navigating their most consequential legal challenges in the areas of government and internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation
  • Before launching Gruenstein Law, Ben spent 14 years as a partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, where he was a founding member of the firm’s Investigations and Regulatory Enforcement Practice
  • In that role, he represented companies and executives in investigations and litigation involving securities and accounting fraud, money laundering, healthcare fraud, trade sanctions, theft of trade secrets, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the False Claims Act
  • He also routinely advised companies and their boards of directors on corporate governance and regulatory compliance
  • Ben is a first-chair trial lawyer, who has tried numerous cases as a federal prosecutor and in private practice
  • He also regularly argues cases in federal courts of appeals, and recently argued a case before the U.S
  • Supreme Court
  • Ben has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers USA for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, named a “National Star” by Benchmark Litigation and selected by Lawdragon as one of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America.” Clients and peers have praised Ben as “highly esteemed,” and “known for his strategic acumen, meticulous approach and dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients.” Others have noted that he “brings an exceptional amount of intellect to his cases and is strategically on point,” and has “impeccable judgment” and “total command of the facts of a case.” Before joining Cravath, Ben served from 2002 to 2008 as an Assistant U.S
  • Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S
  • Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York
  • He is a summa cum laude graduate of Harvard College and a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review
  • After law school, he clerked on the U.S
  • Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for Judge Stephen F. Williams and on the U.S
  • Supreme Court for Justice David H. Souter

Practice Areas Explained

Benjamin Gruenstein's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Benjamin Gruenstein handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Benjamin Gruenstein is one of 190,900 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in New York →

White Collar Crimes

Benjamin Gruenstein is one of 18,196 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in New York →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in New York

Practicing law in New York. Legal matters in New York are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in New York are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New York state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New York brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New York courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional New York attorneys? Browse all attorneys in New York or all attorneys in New York.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Benjamin Gruenstein

Where is Benjamin Gruenstein's law office located?
Benjamin Gruenstein's law practice is located in New York, New York. The firm is Gruenstein Law. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Benjamin Gruenstein handle?
Benjamin Gruenstein focuses on criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
Where did Benjamin Gruenstein go to law school?
Benjamin Gruenstein earned their education at (J.D., 1999); (—, 1996).
How can I contact Benjamin Gruenstein for a consultation?
You can contact Benjamin Gruenstein directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Benjamin Gruenstein received?
Benjamin Gruenstein's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA; Best Lawyers in America — White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - New York (2025-2019); Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation.

Education

J.D.
Harvard University
- 1999
Harvard University
- 1996

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - New York (2025-2019)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — White Collar Crime Litigation Star - National (2026-2017)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation Star - New York (2026-2017)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Lawdragon
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2026-2013)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Legends of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2023)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — 500 Leading Global Litigators (2025- 2024)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — 500 Leading Litigators in America (2026-2023)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — 500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management (2026-2025)
- 2026

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