Atty. Jay R. Nanavati
Jay R. Nanavati is an accomplished litigator, a former federal tax prosecutor, and a founding partner of Kostelanetz LLP's Washington, D.C., office.
Profile Summary
About Jay R. Nanavati at a glance
Jay R. Nanavati is a criminal defense, tax, tax litigation, and white collar attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Kostelanetz LLP. Admitted to practice in District of Columbia, District of Columbia and Virginia, Virginia. Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 1999) and University of Virginia (B.A., 1996). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law, Washington (D.C.) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- Jay R. Nanavati is an accomplished litigator, a former federal tax prosecutor, and a founding partner of Kostelanetz LLP's Washington, D.C., office
- He has developed an enviable record of success in persuading the government to terminate investigations of his clients and in defeating the government in court
- Mr. Nanavati maintains a nationwide practice, focusing on white-collar criminal defense with an emphasis on tax-related matters
- He represents individuals and entities facing investigations and prosecutions by the IRS, the FBI, state investigative agencies, U.S
- Attorney’s offices, and the Department of Justice Tax Division
- His clients rely on his ability to analyze cases from the government’s perspective and trust his sound judgment to guide them through their most difficult challenges
- Mr. Nanavati spent more than a decade as both a federal and a state prosecutor
- He supervised more than 30 federal tax prosecutors and oversaw criminal tax enforcement for a region covering 22 states
- He is a veteran trial lawyer, having conducted dozens of jury trials and hundreds of bench trials
- Mr. Nanavati is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a member of the ABA’s Section of Taxation, Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee, as well as of the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee, and a member of the Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court
- From 2013 to 2016, Mr. Nanavati assisted the White House Office of Presidential Personnel in a pro bono capacity by vetting potential presidential appointees for possible tax-related problems
- Background Department of Justice Tax Division, Assistant Chief for the Western Criminal Enforcement Section
- Counsel to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Matters
- Trial Attorney Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, Virginia Law Clerk for Chief Judge Hector M. Laffitte of the U.S
- District Court for the District of Puerto Rico
Practice Areas Explained
Jay R. Nanavati's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jay R. Nanavati handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Jay R. Nanavati is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →
Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.
Jay R. Nanavati is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jay R. Nanavati is one of 3,110 tax litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax litigation attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jay R. Nanavati is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Jay R. Nanavati
Where is Jay R. Nanavati's law office located?
What practice areas does Jay R. Nanavati handle?
Where did Jay R. Nanavati go to law school?
How can I contact Jay R. Nanavati for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Jay R. Nanavati received?
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.