From the moment Jeffrey Epstein came under investigation in Palm Beach, he deployed a defense team of remarkable power and sophistication — a group of attorneys whose collective skill, connections, and aggressive tactics were central to the lenient outcome he received.
The Defense Team
Key members included:
- Roy Black: A renowned Miami defense attorney, former law professor, and one of Florida’s most skilled criminal defense lawyers
- Alan Dershowitz: The Harvard Law professor and prominent constitutional attorney who had represented O.J. Simpson and Claus von Bülow
- Jay Lefkowitz: A Washington attorney with deep Republican political connections, who handled government relations aspects of the defense
- Kenneth Starr: The former Whitewater independent counsel joined the team at various stages
- Martin Weinberg: A prominent Boston defense attorney
The Negotiation Strategy
The defense team’s strategy focused on negotiating with federal prosecutors rather than preparing for trial. Their access to Acosta and their understanding of prosecutorial incentives enabled a negotiation that produced the NPA — an outcome that would have been unimaginable for defendants without similar resources.
Political Pressure
Lefkowitz’s role involved maintaining contacts with high-level DOJ officials in Washington, ensuring the Florida NPA received appropriate oversight — or ensuring problematic oversight was minimized. The Defense’s ability to operate at the DOJ Main Justice level was a significant advantage.
Dershowitz’s Involvement
Dershowitz has claimed he played only a limited role in the NPA negotiation, focusing on civil aspects rather than the criminal agreement. This account has been disputed. His involvement in post-NPA litigation — including his own civil battle with Virginia Giuffre — made his role a subject of ongoing controversy.
Significance
The assembled defense team is one of the starkest examples of how wealth translates into justice system outcomes. No ordinary defendant would have had access to this level of legal talent and political connectivity.