Life Member Directory

Life members are attorneys who have made an extraordinary commitment to support the work of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. By supporting NACDL at the highest dues level, they are accorded a lifetime membership as long as they continue to meet the standards for NACDL membership. In addition, they are listed in this special expanded life member directory, including bio and photograph, and receive a special award in recognition of their support for NACDL’s work.

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  • John Salvatore

    John R. Salvatore

    Contact Information
    Biography
    President, Washington Co. Assn. of Criminal Defense LawyersDirector, Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Assn.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Maryland, , 1967
    • Law School: University of Baltimore Law School, 1970
  • Brandon Sample

    Brandon Sample

    • Criminal Center LLC
    Contact Information
    Social Media
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Adams State University, BA, 2012, Summa Cum Laude
    • Graduate: –
    • Law School: Vermont Law School, JD, 2016, Magna Cum Laude
    Bar Information
    • U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, & D.C. Circuits and the U.S. District Court for the Northern & Western District of Texas, the Eastern & Western District of Wisconsin, the Northern, Central & Southern Distr
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Don Samuel

    Don F. Samuel

    • Garland, Samuel & Loeb, P.C.
    Contact Information
    Biography
    President, GACDLMember, American Board of Criminal LawyersMember, American College of Trial LawyersAuthor, "Eleventh Circuit Criminal Law Handbook", Lexis-Nexis (2016), "GA Criminal Law Case Finder", Lexis-Nexis (1996, 2016), "Federal Criminal Law Digest", James Publishing Co. (2000), "The Money Laundering Control Act of 1996: Will Attorneys be Taken to the Cleaners?" GA Bar Journal, (1996)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Oberlin College, , 1975
    • Graduate: University of Georgia, , 1980
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • George Santangelo

    George L. Santangelo

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Melinda Sarafa

    Melinda M. Sarafa

    • Sarafa Zellan PLLC
    Defender Circle
    Contact Information
    Social Media
    Biography
    Founding Partner, Sarafa Zellan PLLC, New York, NY (2024-Present); Deputy General Counsel, Select Equity Group, L.P., New York, NY (2014-2024); Founding Member, Sarafa Law LLC, New York, NY (2006-2014); Partner, Zuckerman Spaeder LLP, New York, NY (2004-2006); Senior Associate, Brafman & Ross, PC, New York, NY (1999-2004); Assistant Federal Public Defender, Houston, TX (1997-1999); Law Clerk, Hon. Carolyn Dineen King (USCA 5th Cir.) (1996-1997); Law Clerk, Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer, (USDC N.D. TX) (1995-1996)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Princeton University, AB, 1989
    • Law School: Stanford Law School, JD, 1995
    Bar Information
    • 2nd, 5th Cirs., S.D. NY, E.D. NY, S.D. TX
  • Mark Satawa

    Mark Satawa

    • Satawa Law, PLLC
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Member, Board of Directors, NACDLAsst. Prosecuting Attorney, Wayne Co.Asst. Attorney General, State of MichiganBoard of Directors, Criminal Defense Attys. of MichiganFaculty, CDAM/Cooley Law School, Trial Skills CollegeLecturer, DNA, shaken baby syndrome, cross exam, and demonstrative evidence
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Michigan, , 1989
    • Law School: Notre Dame Law School, 1992
    Bar Information
    • 6th, 10th Cirs.
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Andrew Savage

    Andrew John Savage

    • Savage Law Firm
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Former prosecutor for the State of South Carolina, Fifth Judicial CircuitFormer Chief Trial Counsel for the S.C. Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Division, Fifth and Ninth Judicial CircuitsBoard Certified as a Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial AdvocacyAV-Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell for over 20 yearsFellow - American College of Trial LawyersNamed Yearly in the Best Lawyers in America since 1990 in multiple practice areasTop 25 Super Lawyers every
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Fordham University, Bachelor of Arts, 1972
    • Law School: University of South Carolina Law School, J.D., 1975
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Juvenile Defense
  • Josh Schaffer

    Josh Schaffer

    • The Schaffer Firm
    Contact Information
    Social Media
    Biography
    Josh has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer from 2016-23 and as a Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star, one of the top Texas criminal defense lawyers under the age of 40, for 11 years in a row from 2006-16.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Duke University, AB, 1999
    • Law School: University of Texas Law School, JD, 2002
    Bar Information
    • US Sup. Ct., 5th Cir., all TX federal courts
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • Pregnancy Related Prosecutions
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Kent Schaffer

    Kent A. Schaffer

    • Schaffer Carter Kennedy & Mays
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Former Member, Board of Directors, NACDLPast Parliamentarian, NACDL (1995-96)Past President, Harris Co. Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.Past President, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn. (1998-99)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Texas, , 1978
    • Law School: University of Houston Law School, 1981
  • Randy Schaffer

    Randy Schaffer

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Recipient, Outstanding Criminal Defense Lawyer, State Bar of TexasRecipient, President's Award of Merit, NACDL (1993)Recipient, President's Award of Merit, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Assn.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania, ,
    • Graduate: University of Texas Law School, , 1973
    • Law School: University of Texas, , 1970
  • Marvin Schechter

    Marvin E. Schechter

    Contact Information
    • New York, NY
    Biography
    Member, Board of Directors, NACDLPast Member, Board of Directors, NY State Defenders Assn.Vice Chair, Executive Comm., Crim. Just. Sect., NY State Bar Assn.NACDL Committees: Past Co-Chair, Indigent Defense, CLE; Past Chair, Bylaws, Audit; Co-Chair, Task Force-Specialty Cts.Editor, "Evidence Handbook" Co-Author, Nat. Acad. of Sciences, "Strengthening Forensic Science in the U.S.: A Path Forward"
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Brooklyn Law School, , 1972
    • Law School: Brooklyn Law School, 1972
    Bar Information
    • NY State/Fedl., 2nd,
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • Sex Crimes
  • Barry Scheck

    Barry C. Scheck

    • Innocence Project
    Defender Circle
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Past President, NACDL (2004-05)Trustee, Foundation for Criminal Justice (2005)Co-Director, Innocence Project, Cardozo Law Sch.Partner, Neufeld Scheck & Brustin, LLPRecipient, Robert C. Heeney Award, NACDL (1996)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Yale University, , 1971
    • Law School: Univ Calif Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law , 1974
  • Grant Scheiner

    Grant M. Scheiner

    • Scheiner Law Group
    Contact Information
    Biography
    NACDL Life Member; "Top 100 Trial Lawyers" in Texas by The National Trial Lawyers Association; Texas Super Lawyer in areas of criminal defense, DWI defense, federal white collar defense (2009 - present); H-Texas Magazine's "Houston's Top Lawyers" (2006 - present); Board Certified, Criminal Law - Texas Board of Legal Specialization; AV Preeminent-rated, Martindale-Hubble; 10.0 Superb-rated, Avvo.com; A+ rated, Better Business Bureau. Frequent author, lecturer, CLE course director.
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Trinity University, , 1986
    • Graduate: Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, , 2011
    • Law School: University of Houston Law Center , , 1992
    Bar Information
    • 5th Cir., S.,E. Dists. TX
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Cris Schneider

    Cris Schneider

    • The Schneider Law Firm
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Juvenile Defense
    • White Collar Crime
  • Kelly Schulten

    Kelly Schulten

    • Shareholder
    Biography
    Bar Information
    • United States District Court - District of Colorado
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Mental Health Defense
    • Public Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Irwin Schwartz

    Irwin H. Schwartz

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Past President, NACDL (2001-02)Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow,American Coll. of Trial LawyersPast President, Federal Bar Assn. of theWestern Dist. of WashingtonPast Chair, ABA Criminal Justice Standards Committee
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Brooklyn College, B.A., 1968
    • Law School: Stanford University Law School, J.D., 1971
  • Joel Schwartz

    Joel J. Schwartz

    • Rosenblum Schwartz Fry & Johnson
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Texas, , 1984
    • Law School: University of Texas Law School, , 1987
    Bar Information
    • E & W US Dist. of MO, S & C US Dist. of IL, W US Dist. of MI, US Dist. Ct. for E. Dist. of MI, US Di
    Practice Areas
    • Federal Practice
  • Robin Scroggie

    Robin R. Scroggie

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practice Areas
    • Controlled Substances
    • Federal Practice
    • White Collar Crime
  • Mark Scruggs

    Mark C. Scruggs

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Tennessee at Knoxville
    • Graduate: University of Tennessee Law School
    Bar Information
    • Tennessee 1982
  • John Sears

    John M. Sears

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Vice President, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal JusticeCertified Criminal Law Specialist, State Bar of ArizonaJohn Flynn Lifetime Achievement Award, Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice
    Education
    • Undergraduate: University of Maryland, BA, 1972
    • Law School: George Washington University, JD, 1975
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Juvenile Defense
    • White Collar Crime
  • Irving Seidman

    Irving P. Seidman

    • Seidman & Seidman, PC
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Kings County DA, Asst. District Attorney (1960-66); Asst. DA in charge of Rackets Bureau (1967-70)Commissions, Committee on Public Access to Records (1978), Commission on Uniform State Laws (1981-85)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Brooklyn College, , 1955
    • Law School: New York University Law School, 1958
    Bar Information
    • 2nd Cir., 11th Cir., US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • White Collar Crime
  • David Serna

    David C. Serna

    • Commandante, Serna Law Offices
    Contact Information
    Biography
    NBTA Certified Criminal Trial Diplomate (1986-present)Certified Criminal Trial Specialist, NM State Bar (1990-present)Founding Member, National College for DUI Defense (1995-present)Recipient, Top Lawyers of Albuquerque, ABQ Magazine (2006) Super Lawyers Criminal Law (2007-present)LifetimeMember National Legal Committee NORML (1985-present)Charles Driscoll Memorial Award (2013)National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2015-present)
    Education
    • Undergraduate: –Univ NM 1974
    • Law School: Georgetown Law School, Juris Doctor, 1977
    Bar Information
    • 10th Cir.; District of Columbia, US District Court NM, NMState Bar
    Practice Areas
    • Capital Defense
    • Controlled Substances
    • DUI
    • Federal Practice
    • Forfeiture
    • Juvenile Defense
    • Mental Health Defense
    • Sex Crimes
    • White Collar Crime
  • Craig Shannon

    Craig K. Shannon

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Founding, Life Member, & Past Board of Directors, Montana Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MTACDL)Graduate, Natl. Criminal Defense Coll. (1994)Graduate, Trial Lawyers College (2005)Legal Defense Counsel and Lifetime Member, NORML
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Michigan State University, , 1982
    • Law School: University of Montana School of Law, , 1990
    Bar Information
    • US Dist. Ct., 9th Cir., Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Ct.
  • Michael Shapiro

    Michael Shapiro

    • Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP
    Contact Information
    Biography
    Former Chief of Appeals, New York State Special Prosecutor's OfficeFaculty, Cardozo Law School ITAPMember, NY Council of Defense Lawyers, Federal Bar CouncilAuthor, "The USA Patriot Act and Money Laundering", The Banking Law Journal (2006)Listed, Best Lawyers in America, NY Super Lawyers, Who's Who in American Law
    Education
    • Undergraduate: City College of New York, BA, 1970
    • Law School: New York University School of Law, JD, 1973
    Bar Information
    • 2nd Cir., 3rd Cir., 6th Cir., 11th Cir., US Supreme Ct.
    Practice Areas
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • White Collar Crime
  • Gerald Shargel

    Gerald L. Shargel

    Contact Information
    Biography
    Practitioner in Residence, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law Sch.Former Faculty, New York Univ. Sch. of LawMember, American Bar Assn., New York Criminal Bar Assn., Assn. of the Bar of the City of New York, Fedl. Bar CouncilColumnist, "New York Daily News"
    Education
    • Undergraduate: Rutgers University, , 1966
    • Law School: Brooklyn Law School, , 1969

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