Meringolo & Associates P.C. – Attorneys in Law

A Manhattan based law firm specializing in complex litigation since 2003, Meringolo Law has litigated over 125 cases in the federal courts nationwide, many of which were high profile. Its proprietor, John Meringolo has over 100 weeks of federal trial experience in the federal court system in addition to authoring 20 appellate briefs for the Circuit Courts of Appeals. Notably, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the sentence in United States v. Calabretta, holding that the Career Offender statute was unconstitutionally applied to the Mr. Calabretta.

Presently, the firm represents Deputy Inspector James Grant of the New York Police Department. Grant is the first member of the NYPD to be charged with Honest Services fraud. On June 20, 2016, John Meringolo was quoted in the New York Times, describing Inspector Grant as “…an exceptional police officer for his entire career. “Also, on July 8, 2016, in the New York Post Meringolo further stated, “Allegations that Mr. Grant violated the police code of conduct do not support a conviction of a federal crime.”

In June of 2017, the New York Post reported that Joseph Merlino, former Philadelphia Mob Boss and co-defendant in the Parrello case, retained Meringolo. It was speculated that Merlino hired Meringolo, who has represented former Gambino boss John “Junior” Gotti and acting capo Greg DePalma, because he plans to take his case to trial despite a plea offer that could have left him with less than two years’ prison time.

The firm also represented John Tognino in the racketeering conspiracy case, United States v. Parrello. The defendant was alleged to be part of a new syndicate of organized crime families – the “La Cosa Nostra East Coast Enterprise.” The firm filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, challenging the validity of such an enterprise in the context of racketeering. The Daily News quoted the brief, “[w]hile there is certainly evidence that different organized crime families work together, the families are still considered separate and distinct enterprises.”

Some of the firms white-collar cases have been featured on CNBC’s American Greed, including – United States v. David Brooks, a $190 million insider trading case for which the firm authored all pre-trial motions; United States v. Sal Romano, where the defendant was charged with a $60 million fraud in his sale of vintage coins; and United States v. Sholom Robaskin, a $23 million fraud case to which the firm contributed to the bail memorandum.

The firm contributes to the Pace Law Criminal Blog, writing about relevant federal criminal issues as well as mentoring law students each year.

United States v. David Brooks
Brooks, who is under house arrest at his Upper East Side apartment after posting a $400-million bond, is now represented by five attorneys: Kenneth Ravennelland William Murphy Jr., both of the Murphy Firm in Baltimore; James LaRossa, John C. Meringolo and Richard Ware Levitt, all of Manhattan. The team has had some famous, or infamous, clients. Meringolo was part of a group that defended mobster John Gotti.
Newsday
July 1, 2009
United States v. Armando Rea
Meringolo also opted for a speedy trial, a bet that also paid off. Meringolo pointed out in court papers that no fewer than three government cooperators had named six different killers for the slaying with which Rea was charged – the 1980 shotgun slaying of Gerard (Papa Bear) Pappa in a Borough Park, Brooklyn restaurant. None of them mentioned his client.
Ganglandnews
February 17, 2011
United States v. Armando Rea
The 1980 rubout of Mafia hit man Gerard Pappa vanished from a new indictment against Rea unsealed Tuesday in Brooklyn Federal Court. As we prepare for trial, we anticipate further vindications of Mr. Rea," lawyer John Meringolo said.
New York Daily News
January 5, 2011
United States v. John Gotti
"This is evidence of the government's willingness to accept liars in order to maliciously prosecute Mr. Gotti," defense lawyer John Meringolo said.
New York Daily News
September 17, 2009
United States v. Chief James Burke
Burke's lawyer, John Meringolo of Manhattan, denied that drugs were found in Burke's locker but said: “My client denies all allegations. He'll be vindicated.”
Newsday
May 9, 2017
Joe Montana Magazine
Meringolo published one other collector's edition magazine, featuring NFL great Joe Montana, before he packed up his media side gig to focus on criminal defense work and teaching at Pace University and New York Law Schools.
New York Daily News
June 10, 2016
People v. Dr. Richard Lucente
Dr. Lucente’s lawyer, John Meringolo, said on Friday that Dr. Lucente was not responsible for Mr. Baglio’s death. He also said that he had subpoenaed the autopsy report from Columbus, Ohio, adding that “it’s categorically false” that Mr. Baglio died because of Dr. Lucente’s prescriptions.
New York Times
February 16, 2009
United States v. John Venizelos
John Meringolo, a New York Law School professor who represents Venizelos, initially insisted that the $100,000-plus seized by feds at Venizelos’ residence wasn’t drug money – it was simply cash for tipping exotic dancers at the “Jaguars 3” club.
New York Post
April 29, 2013
United States v. Joseph Merlino
Merlino’s attorneys declined to comment for this report but their court filings make it clear they plan to attack the credibility of the agents and informants.
Sun-Sentinel
December 29, 2017
United States v. James Grant
In a trial scheduled for April, Rechnitz is slated to be star witness against the ex-cops, James Grant... “The government should re-evaluate Mr. Rechnitz’s testimony and credibility before they move forward with any other case,” said John Meringolo, a lawyer for Grant told The Post.
New York Post
November 16, 2017

Counselors of Law

John C. Meringolo, Esq.

Mr. Meringolo has career experience in academia, entertainment, law and publishing. Currently, he is the proprietor of Meringolo Law and a Professor of Law at Pace Law School.

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Anjelica Cappellino, Esq.

Graduated from New York Law School in 2011. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from St. John’s University in 2008.

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Clara Kalhous, Esq.

Graduated from Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University in 2009. She is admitted to the bars of New York (2009), New Jersey (2009), the Southern District of New York (2010), the Eastern District of New York (2010), and the District of New Jersey (2009).

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Joe Montana’s In the Redzone

Mr. Meringolo was involved in a number of successful business ventures. In 1999, Mr. Meringolo served as Associate Counsel and Special Projects Coordinator for football legend Joe Montana’s magazine, “Joe Montana’s In the Redzone.” At the age of 26, from 2000 to 2001, Mr. Meringolo served as Chairman and CEO for Premier Sports Media and Entertainment Group, Inc., the New York parent company of Explosion Promotions, which promoted boxing events on ESPN and HBO.

Meringolo & Muhammad Ali

In 2002, Mr. Meringolo published the collectible magazine, “Muhammad Ali, The Greatest,” which was authorized by Muhammad Ali. The magazine, which highlighted the career of Muhammad Ali, was hailed as a “one of a kind publication” and “the perfect gift for Ali fans, memorabilia collectors, fans of Will Smith and the ‘Ali’ movie, as well as the millions of young people who never had the opportunity to see Ali fight or understand the impact he had on society.”