Atty. Michele A. Roberts

Atty. Michele A. Roberts

Michele Roberts is a renowned trial lawyer and a member of the firm’s Litigation Group. Her practice focuses on complex civil and white collar criminal litigation before state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings.

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Profile Summary

About Michele A. Roberts at a glance

Michele A. Roberts is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in New York, New York, practicing at Free and Fair Litigation Group, Inc.. Admitted to practice in District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar. Educated at University of California Berkeley (J.D., 1980) and Wesleyan University (BA). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Washington DC) (2015), and Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Washington DC) (2012). Serands clients in New York, NY and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michele Roberts is a renowned trial lawyer and a member of the firm’s Litigation Group
  • Her practice focuses on complex civil and white collar criminal litigation before state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings
  • Ms. Roberts has tried more than 100 cases to jury verdicts, representing clients in a wide variety of areas, including products liability, white collar, racketeering, securities regulation violations, Title VII issues and premises liability
  • She has been called the finest pure trial lawyer in Washington, D.C. by Washingtonian Magazine
  • Ms. Roberts is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Ms. Roberts also served for eight years in the office of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, where she was named Chief of the Trial Division
  • She served as counsel in more than 40 jury trials
  • Prominent Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree, Jr. commended Ms. Roberts’ courtroom presence, stating “she becomes the 13th juror, capable of seeing the case as the jury sees it, and therefore able to revise strategy, as necessary, mid-trial to address the jury’s concerns.” (The Legal Times, March 2011) Ms. Roberts repeatedly has been ranked in the top tier for Litigation: Trial Lawyers in both Chambers Global and Chambers USA
  • She was the recipient of the Business Trial Lawyer of the Year at the 2011 Chambers USA Awards of Excellence
  • Ms. Roberts also was named a finalist in the “Litigator of the Year” category at the inaugural Chambers USA Women in Law Awards 2012
  • She was named one of Benchmark Litigation’s “Top 250 Women in Litigation” in 2013, was selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2013-2014 and was included in the list of “Top Guns” in the Ethisphere® Institute’s 2012 “Attorneys Who Matter” rankings
  • In addition, she has been included in Who’s Who Legal – Business Crime Defense 2013 and Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America 2013
  • When the Washington Business Journal was looking for innovative and inspiring leaders, they named her to their 2010 “Women Who Mean Business” list
  • In 2007, she was recognized as one of Washingtonian’s “Big Guns: Top 30 Lawyers in Washington, D.C.,” and since 2003, Washingtonian Magazinehas named her to its top lawyer rankings, including 2009’s list of Washington’s “100 Most Powerful Women.” In 2006, The Legal Times also listed her among the top 10 white collar lawyers in Washington, D.C
  • Ms. Roberts is a frequent lecturer and presenter to both the bench and bar on a variety of topics related to litigation and trial practice
  • She serves as an adjunct member of the faculty at Harvard Law School, teaching a Trial Advocacy Workshop and is an instructor with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Practice Areas Explained

Michele A. Roberts's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michele A. Roberts 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.

Michele A. Roberts is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in New York →

White Collar Crimes

Michele A. Roberts is one of 20,025 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 andnue, 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 Michele A. Roberts

Where is Michele A. Roberts's law office located?
Michele A. Roberts's law practice is located in New York, New York. The firm is Free and Fair Litigation Group, Inc.. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michele A. Roberts handle?
Michele A. Roberts focuses on criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in New York.
Where did Michele A. Roberts go to law school?
Michele A. Roberts earned their education at (J.D., 1980); (BA).
How can I contact Michele A. Roberts for a consultation?
You can contact Michele A. Roberts 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 Michele A. Roberts received?
Michele A. Roberts's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Washington DC); Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Washington DC).

Education

J.D.
University of California Berkeley
- 1980
BA
Wesleyan University
- In Progress

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Washington DC)
- 2015
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Washington DC)
- 2012

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar

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