Hon. David L. Lewis (Ret)
Location: New York, New York
TELEPHONE: 212-486-0011
FAX: 718-921-3292
The Honorable David L. Lewis (Ret)
In June 2023, Judge David Lewis retired from the bench after serving as an acting Supreme Court Judge in the Bronx.
Judge Lewis began his legendary legal career primarily focusing on the defense of organized crime and white-collar cases in state and federal courts. Lewis represented Panamanian General Manuel A. Noriega, Carolyn Warmus, corporate executives, federal, state and local public officials, and CIA agents at the international, federal and local state levels. His international criminal law practice involved complex treaty interpretations. He has defended members of the United States military and members of the Irish Republican Army.
His primary focus before taking the bench was defense of death penalty cases.
Lewis has taught cross-examination and storytelling for defense lawyers in 45 states.
Prior to taking the bench, he served as counsel to the New York State Senate Majority Leader representing the New York State Senate in state and federal courts.
He appeared for the Senate as amicus curiae in the Supreme Court of the United States.
His publications include The Urban Criminal Justice System & The Juror’s Perception, and Cross-Examination Rudiments of the Art: Advocacy in Defense of the Citizen Accused of Crime, and The Speech and Debate Clause: No Longer a Legislative Shield, 10 National Law Journal 25, 1988.
Judge Lewis will focus on federal criminal defense and appellate matters Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, P.C. is a full-service boutique litigation law firm.
Education
JD from Fordham University in 1979
BA from New York University in 1976
Professional Activities
Advisory Board Member and Instructor, Darrow/Baldus Death Penalty Defense College, Iowa City, Iowa (formerly Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, 2002 to 2015
Panel Member, New York State Office of Court Administration Judicial Training, 1999 to 1999
Continuing Legal Education on Evidence, Expert Witnesses, Trial Techniques and Storytelling in the Courtroom. More than 100 presentations in over 45 states., 1998 to Present
Chair and Member, Board of Regents, National Criminal Defense College residing at Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon Georgia, 1998 to Present
Adjunct Professor, Clinical Law, Pace University School of Law, Trial Advocacy, Spring Semester, 1992 to 1992
Past Employment
New York State Senate, Counsel to Majority Leader, 2011 to 2018
Kings County, Counsel to Public Administrator, 2008 to 2018
Member and Conference Services, New York State Senate, Counsel, 2003 to 2011
State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr., General Counsel, 2002 to 2002
State Senator Roy M. Goodman, Chief Counsel, 2001 to 2001
State Senator Roy M. Goodman, Assistant Legislative Counsel, 2000 to 2000
State Senator Roy M. Goodman, Special Counsel to New York State Senate Select Committee on Arts and Cultural Affairs, 1990 to 1990
New York State Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore, William F. Passannanate, Chief Counsel, 1980 to 1983
Honorable Gabriel Krausman, Civil Court Judge Sitting in New York City Criminal Court, Kings County, Law Secretary, 1980 to 1980
Lewis & Fiore, Partner, 1980 to 2018
Published Works
Clinton Didn’t Pardon the F.A.L.N., 22 National Law Journal 5 at A18, 1999
Bias in Drug Sentences, 18 National Law Journal 21 at A18, 1996
Substantial Subversion, 17 National Law Journal 13 at A23, 1994
The Urban Criminal Justice System & The Juror’s Perception, XX Fordham Urb LJ 3, 1993
Cross Examination (as part of invitation only) Rudiments of the Art: Advocacy in Defense of the Citizen Accused of Crime, 42 Mercer L Rev 2, 1991
The Speech and Debate Clause: No Longer a Legislative Shield, 10 National Law Journal 25, 1988
Costs to Justice When the Jury is Anonymous, National Law Journal, Reprinted in 2 Drug Law Report 2, 1988