New York Criminal Defense Lawyer | State & Federal Defense
AIDA FERRER
LEISENRING
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Representing clients in the most complex criminal matters while telling the stories that shape justice beyond the courtroom. Aida Ferrer Leisenring is a New York criminal defense lawyer representing individuals in state and federal prosecutions. Former Legal Aid attorney, law firm partner, producer, consultant and story architect.
Trial Lawyer.
Producer.
Story Architect.
Services
Focused legal advocacy, strategic collaboration and authentic criminal-justice storytelling.
Criminal Defense
Direct, discreet representation grounded in preparation, judgment and trial experience—from the earliest investigation through disposition and post-conviction advocacy.
- State Criminal Defense
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Homicide & Violent Felonies
- White Collar Matters
- Sex Offense Defense
- Domestic Violence Matters
- DWI / DUI Defense
- Grand Jury Representation
- Plea Negotiations
- Sentencing Advocacy
- Drug Offenses
- Mental Health Proceedings
Strategic Collaboration
Independent, senior-level assistance for lawyers who need an experienced trial partner, a fresh strategic perspective or focused support on a demanding matter.
- Trial Co-Counsel
- Case Strategy Consulting
- Discovery Review
- Motion Practice
- Cross-Examination Strategy
- Witness Preparation
- Grand Jury Preparation
- Jury Selection
- Mitigation Memoranda
- State Sentencing Advocacy
- Federal Sentencing Advocacy
- Per Diem Court Coverage
Story & Production
Legal accuracy and narrative intelligence for criminal-justice stories, from early development and reporting through production, editing and release.
- Executive Producing
- Producing
- Technical Advising
- Story Consulting
- Writing
- Documentary Development
- Script Review
- Criminal Procedure Consulting
- Trial Accuracy Review
- Forensic Analysis
- On-Camera Commentary
- Speaking & Lectures
20 Years in the Courtroom.
A Lifetime of Storytelling.
Leisenring Law & Media sits at the intersection of criminal defense, litigation strategy and authentic criminal-justice storytelling—bringing preparation, judgment and humanity to work inside and beyond the courtroom.
Representative Matters
The matters below reflect more than two decades of work as primary counsel or co-counsel on trial teams in state and federal criminal defense, trial advocacy, sentencing, mental-health proceedings and wrongful-conviction litigation. Many representations remain confidential.
Homicide & Serious Violent Felonies
Trial and strategic representation in cases carrying the gravest personal and legal consequences.
• People v. Calvin Harris — Murder acquittal after four trials.
• People v. Nestor Ortiz-Ocampo — Acquittal of murder and manslaughter charges.
• People v. Newcomb — Murder matter resolved by a finding of Not Responsible by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect.
• People v. L.G. — Acquittal of felony weapons and drug charges.
• People v. A.M. — Reduction of Felony Homicide Conspiracy Charge to a Misdemeanor Charge.
• People v. M.M. — Time-served disposition in a murder case under New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.
Federal Criminal Defense
Complex representations in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
• United States v. Nicholas Tartaglione — Death penalty deauthorized.
• United States v. Matthew Conroy — Acquittal in a federal wire- and insurance-fraud prosecution.
• United States v. Eric Gerwatowski — January 6 prosecution resulting in a non-custodial sentence.
• United States v. J.L. — Time served in an EDNY sports-betting-fraud matter involving approximately $25 million.
• United States v. O.D. — Time served in an SDNY wire-fraud matter involving approximately $3.5 million.
• United States v. L.C. — Below-Guidelines Sentence in a Major Drug-Trafficking Case (SDNY).
White Collar & Complex Criminal Matters
Defense of fraud, corruption and financially complex criminal allegations.
• People v. W.F. — Bribery acquittal.
• Medicaid-fraud, insurance-fraud and public-corruption matters.
• Dismissals in the Interest of Justice following motion practice.
Sex Offenses & Sensitive Matters
Discrete, trauma-informed representation in highly sensitive proceedings.
• Child-sexual-abuse acquittal.
• Rape in the Third Degree acquittal.
• Representation of victims in the Sean Combs SDNY criminal trial.
Sentencing, Liberty Advocacy & Mental Health
Advocacy focused on liberty, proportionality and successful return to family and community.
• Early termination of probation and supervised release.
• Successful Mental Hygiene Law retention hearing resulting in release from a secure facility to Track II placement.
• Order-of-protection modification permitting family reunification.
Wrongful Convictions & Criminal Justice Reform
Litigation, investigation and storytelling on behalf of people failed by the justice system.
• Participated in the exoneration of Barry Gibbs through the Innocence Project.
• Civil-rights settlements for wrongfully convicted individuals.
• Co-created and co-executive produced The Last Defense.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each matter depends on its own facts and circumstances.
About Aida ─────
TRIAL LAWYER · PRODUCER · EDUCATOR
A career built in courtrooms—and shaped by a lifelong understanding of the human condition.
Born in Barcelona, Spain, Aida Ferrer Leisenring brings a dynamic perspective to her work as a New York criminal defense attorney, combining more than two decades of courtroom experience with a career in journalism, documentary production and criminal-justice advocacy.
Her work combines rigorous case preparation, substantial trial experience and an ability to identify the human narrative at the center of a legal dispute. She has represented clients in matters involving homicide, fraud, bribery, sex offenses, domestic violence, drug trafficking and other serious allegations, and has collaborated with attorneys and families at every stage of a criminal case.
Beyond the courtroom, Aida has produced and developed nationally broadcast criminal-justice programming, taught and lectured attorneys through Continuing Legal Education programs, and will be serving as an adjunct professor at CUNY School of Law.
Admissions
New York State
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Professional Standing
Admitted and in good standing in New York State, the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York.
Recognition
Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Stars, 2014–2016; Justice Through the Arts Award, New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2019; Public Interest Award, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 2006.
Memberships
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; Nassau County Bar Association, 2012–2016; Sigma Delta Pi, National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society.
Leisenring Law & Media
Founder
2026–
Barket Epstein LLP
Partner
Jan. 2018– July 2026
Barket Epstein LLP
Associate
Oct. 2012–Dec. 2016
The Legal Aid Society
Staff Attorney, Criminal Defense Division
2006–2012
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Juris Doctor, honors graduate
2006
Innocence Project
Legal Intern
2005
ELLE Magazine
Associate Editor
Jan. 2000– July 2003
Brown University
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature and Hispanic Literature and Culture
1999
The Hotchkiss School
Lakeville, Connecticut
1995
Media ─────
A career spanning courtroom advocacy, documentary production, broadcast journalism, writing and legal commentary.
Original documentary and broadcast work
Productions
ABC · Co-Creator & Co-Executive Producer
The Last Defense
Seven-part documentary series examining innocence claims in the death-row cases of Darlie Routier and Julius Jones.
ABC · Executive Producer
20/20 Special Editions
Follow-up broadcasts on Julius Jones and Darlie Routier, expanding the cases' national reach.
Selected appearances and conversations
Broadcast & Interviews
Crime & Justice Radio
Amanda Knox
A conversation about wrongful convictions, public narratives and justice.
Crime & Justice Radio
Nancy Hollander
Guantánamo, The Mauritanian and defending politically charged cases.
Crime & Justice Radio
Ron McAndrew
A former death-row warden discusses botched executions and abolition.
Crime & Justice Radio
Wrongfully Convicted or Falsely Accused
With Marty Tankleff and Steven Brand, Barry Scheck is also among the program's notable guests. Listen →
Selected Television
NatGeo’s Criminal Defense · Nightline · Dateline · 48 Hours
Appearances and coverage concerning criminal cases, wrongful convictions and trial work.
ABC News Live
Harvey Weinstein Trial Analysis
On-camera criminal-defense analysis of the Weinstein trial.
Publications
Writing and editorial work
The New York Times · 2018
Kevin Cooper Deserves Justice
Letter to the Editor concerning Kevin Cooper's conviction and death sentence.
ELLE Magazine · 2000–2003
Associate Editor
Wrote and edited feature stories and covered culture, fashion and New York Fashion Week before entering law.
Independent reporting on Aida's career and casework
IN THE PRESS
New York Law Journal · November 17, 2021
How I Made Partner
A career profile discussing Aida Ferrer Leisenring's path to partnership and approach to criminal-defense practice.
New York Law Journal · September 2, 2021
DVSJA Paves the Way for Better Informed Sentencing
Analysis of People v. M.M., a DVSJA matter in which Aida represented the defendant with Daniel Arshack.
New York Law Journal · June 8, 2016
Attorneys Leave Client's Fate to Judge in Fourth Murder Trial
Coverage of the fourth Calvin Harris trial identifying Aida as a member of the defense team.
New York Law Journal · May 25, 2016
Man Acquitted of Killing Wife After Fourth Trial
Coverage of Calvin Harris's acquittal, identifying Aida as a member of the defense team.
New York Law Journal · January 2015
Nassau Litigator Acquitted in Insurance Fraud Scheme
Reporting on Matthew Conroy's SDNY acquittal, identifying Aida as defense counsel.
Philosophy
“Look deeper. Think differently. Defend relentlessly.”
Aida Ferrer Leisenring · Criminal Defense Attorney
“Aida is one of the most fierce competitors I know in criminal defense. She has an unbelievable passion for what she does.”
Steven Brand · Criminal Defense Attorney
Confidential Consultation
Let’s discuss your case.
For individuals, families, attorneys and production companies seeking strategic legal insight, trial advocacy or criminal-justice storytelling expertise.