César de Castro is a well-recognized and experienced litigator whose practice focuses on criminal defense, corporate investigations, commercial litigation, and appellate litigation. He regularly appears in New York federal courts as well as the criminal and civil courts of the State of New York. César is an active trial lawyer. He helped secure a full acquittal for Denis Field, the former Chief Executive Officer of BDO in what has been labeled as the largest tax shelter prosecution in United States History. He also helped secure acquittals for the former Chief Financial Officer of Dewey LeBoeuf in his first criminal trial related to what was reported as the largest law firm collapse in U.S. history. He has and currently defends clients in high-profile matters including a former Mexican cabinet member and chief of public security under Mexican President Felipe Calderon, a former Venezuelan general charged along with the President of Venezuela, and a client charged alongside former United States Senator Robert Menendez.
César is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of North America’s premier legal organizations, a Board Member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers, and he has been recognized by SuperLawyers as a top-rated White Collar Criminal defense lawyer since 2013. César commands respect from both federal and state prosecutors and the judges before which he regularly appears. He has a reputation that is trustworthy and sincere, but most importantly, a passionate and tireless advocate for his clients. César’s prior experiences as a judicial law clerk and prosecutor as well as his experience in private practice allow him to zealously and effectively represent his clients.
César currently serves as the Ombudsperson for Mold and Leaks for New York City Housing Authority (“NYCHA”) Residents. In 2019, he was appointed by federal district court judge William H. Pauley to serve as the ombudsperson in connection with the Baez class action litigation. In addition, in 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed César to serve on the Board of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services.
César is a Speaker for the Conducting Effective Internal Investigations program.