Atty. Howard E. Tanner
Howard E. Tanner, Esq., a former prosecutor, is the managing partner of Tanner & Ortega, L.L.P.
Criminal Defense & More Attorney · Serving New York, NY · 36+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Howard E. Tanner at a Glance
Howard E. Tanner is a Managing Partner based in New York, New York, practicing at Tanner & Ortega, LLP. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, personal injury, criminal defense, employment, and white collar. Admitted to practice in New York (1990), New Jersey (1991), and District of Columbia United States District Court for the Southern District of New York United State (1992). Educated at University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1989) and University of Miami (B.A. Criminal, 1986). Active member of New York County Lawyers' Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Kings County Criminal Bar Association. Serves clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Howard E. Tanner
- Howard E. Tanner, Esq., a former prosecutor, is the managing partner of Tanner & Ortega, L.L.P
- He graduated from the University of Florida in 1986 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
- Upon graduating from the University of Miami School of Law in 1989, he joined the Kings County District Attorney's Office in Brooklyn, New York
- As an Assistant District Attorney, he successfully prosecuted the most serious felony cases, including narcotics, robberies, burglaries, rapes, assaults and murders, trying over 30 felony and misdemeanor trials to verdict
- He left the District Attorney's Office in 1995 to join the law firm of Lysaght Lysaght & Kramer, P.C., where he put his expertise to work in the areas of criminal defense, labor and administrative law
- There, Mr. Tanner conducted numerous trials to verdict, successfully defending government employees, such as police officers, housing authority employees and others against allegations of assault, bribe receiving, narcotics possession and other charges
- He also defended against administrative allegations of employee misconduct
- He left Lysaght in 1998 and established the law firm of Tanner & Ortega, L.L.P
- As lead defense counsel, Mr. Tanner has tried over 100 felony and misdemeanor cases to verdict
- He has been successful in achieving positive outcomes for his clients by obtaining pre-trial dismissal of criminal charges, verdicts of acquittal after trial or by favorable plea bargaining through proactive and rigorous negotiations with the government
- He has been retained as lead defense counsel in a variety of high-profile criminal cases
- He secured an acquittal after trial in the NYPD 13th Precinct peddler bribery case in New York County
- He successfully defended his client against allegations in the Sean Bell murder case in Queens County, resulting in no criminal indictment
- He compelled a pre-trial dismissal, by the District Attorney, of all criminal charges against his client in the NYPD 61st Precinct Insurance Fraud case in Kings County
- He obtained a favorable plea bargain for his client in the Byram Hills school teacher unlawful surveillance case resulting in probation and no jail time in Westchester County
- and obtained a verdict of acquittal after trial in Yonkers in the off-duty NYPD McLean Avenue bar assault case in Westchester County
- Media Coverage Mr. Tanner has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX and was a legal analyst on Court TV
- He was featured on the front page of the Miami Herald and has been frequently quoted in or interviewed by major newspapers across the country, such as the New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Journal News, Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinal, the Associated Press and The Chief-Leader
- He has been interviewed on Dateline NBC and his case featured on 48 Hours, Investigation Discovery Channel, Anderson Cooper Live and other national broadcasts
- He has also appeared on local cable news and radio stations such as NY1, News 12 Westchester, 1010 WINS and 880 WCBS
- Admissions Mr. Tanner is admitted to practice in the state courts of New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia, as well as the Federal Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the District Court of New Jersey and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals
- He is a member of the New York County Lawyers' Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Kings County Criminal Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
Howard E. Tanner's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Howard E. Tanner handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in New York.
DUI / DWI Defense in New York
Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.
Howard E. Tanner is one of 29,739 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in New York →
Personal Injury in New York
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Howard E. Tanner is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in New York →
Criminal Defense in New York
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Howard E. Tanner is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in New York →
Employment Law in New York
Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.
Howard E. Tanner is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in New York →
White Collar Crimes in New York
Howard E. Tanner is one of 19,824 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.
New York Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a New York-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in New York Choose Howard E. Tanner
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Howard E. Tanner's practice in the field of dui/dwi, personal injury, criminal defense, employment, and white collar.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Howard E. Tanner brings 36+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in New York, New Jersey, and District of Columbia United States District Court for the Southern District of New York United State, Howard E. Tanner can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering dui/dwi, personal injury, and criminal defense, Howard E. Tanner can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in New York
A New York-based practice means Howard E. Tanner attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Howard E. Tanner Handles in New York
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Howard E. Tanner has experience with under New York law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Howard E. Tanner directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
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