Philadelphia White Collar Defense Attorney

White collar crimes can encompass many different allegations, including fraud, money laundering, tax-related charges and embezzlement. In many instances, federal law enforcement agents will spend months or longer compiling evidence against suspects. As soon as you have reason to believe you are under investigation, it is crucial to hire a criminal defense attorney immediately. By formulating your defense strategy early on, you will have more options in your case.

Further, it is critical that your lawyer has the experience to identify and implement a strong case. With nearly two decades of legal experience and tens of thousands cases, Michael J. Diamondstein has earned a reputation as one of the leading criminal defense lawyers in the Philadelphia area.

Protect Your Rights With An Aggressive Defense

Michael represents clients facing white collar accusations in federal and state courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond. White collar cases are unique in that the government may rely on extensive documents to try to prove its allegations. It is critical that your lawyer understands how to analyze these documents and find the flaws in the government’s case. Michael J. Diamondstein has this experience, and will work with other experts as necessary in order to demonstrate the weaknesses in the evidence.

Michael’s goal in every case is to seek the best possible outcome for his client, whether that is a dismissal or acquittal at trial, or a plea agreement that minimizes the potential consequences. If he is retained early in the process, he may be able to convince the authorities that an indictment is not appropriate under the circumstances.

However your case is eventually resolved, Michael will candidly explain your options and the long-term consequences of each approach. He recognizes the lasting impact of a criminal allegation on a professional accused of white collar crimes, and will take all measures within the law to help you achieve a favorable result.

Contact Michael J. Diamondstein, P.C.

Call 215-940-2700 or complete the firm’s online contact form to schedule your initial consultation to discuss your specific charges.


Philadelphia Fraud Defense Attorney

Fraud charges can be brought in either state or federal court, depending on the circumstances. Federal prosecutors may seek an indictment under wire fraud or mail fraud statutes. In state courts, prosecutors can charge people for various types of fraud or theft. The criminal penalties associated with a conviction, combined with the damage to one’s reputation, make it extremely important to hire a tenacious, resourceful defense lawyer. With nearly two decades of legal experience, individuals across Pennsylvania and New Jersey have put their case in the hands of Philadelphia fraud defense lawyer Michael J. Diamondstein.

Providing Candid Counsel And Forceful Advocacy

When preparing your defense, Michael will examine the charges and analyze the evidence to find the weak points in the government’s case. In order to prove fraud beyond a reasonable doubt, the government will typically have to prove some type of intent, meaning that the defendant meant to commit fraud. In many cases, what the government contends is fraud is actually an honest mistake. Michael will work to secure the best possible outcome for your case, holding the prosecution accountable if fraudulent intent cannot be proven. If a full dismissal of the charges is not possible, he will explain your options and help you take all appropriate steps to minimize the damage associated with a conviction.

Having handled approximately 20,000 cases over his career, both as a prosecutor and defense lawyer, Michael can defend against any type of fraud or white collar criminal accusation, including:

  • Mortgage fraud
  • ID fraud
  • Tax fraud
  • Internet fraud
  • Bank fraud
  • Credit card fraud
  • Wire fraud
  • Mail fraud

An Experienced Philadelphia Tax Fraud Defense Attorney

Because many fraud charges are federal, having an attorney with significant federal court experience is a great benefit. Michael has defended clients in district courts throughout the United States, obtaining favorable results in challenging cases. To get a better understanding of the depth of Michael’s experience, please review our press page.

Contact Michael J. Diamondstein, P.C.

Call 215-940-2700 or complete the firm’s online contact form to schedule your initial consultation to discuss your specific charges.

Contact Michael J. Diamondstein About Your Case

Notable Cases

Pretrial Intervention Program That Accepted Ray Rice Is Rarely Granted

We were concerned that Mr. Rice would be treated more harshly because of his celebrity status. We are thankful that he was not. We are thankful that he was given the same treatment as anyone else in a similar situation.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be allowed to enter a program to avoid prosecution in an alleged assault of his now-wife. Upon successful completion of the program — which will be a minimum of one year — the third-degree charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury would be dismissed. The arrest would remain on his record, but with no conviction.
Pretrial Intervention Program That Accepted Ray Rice Is Rarely Granted
Notable Cases

Pennsylvania and Maryland Prosecutors Drop Child Sex Abuse Cases After Diamondstein Cross Examination

“Michael Diamondstein is the best lawyer on Earth. He saved my life.”

- DT
DT had spent three years in jail and was facing lifetimes more for multiple counts of child rape in Pennsylvania and Maryland. But Michael Diamondstein’s thorough investigation and strategic cross-examination forced prosecutors to withdraw their case mid-jury trial.
Pennsylvania and Maryland Prosecutors Drop Child Sex Abuse Cases After Diamondstein Cross Examination
Notable Cases

Life Sentence Vacated After Decades in Prison

“The district attorney recognized the inequities in the case and we are thankful for the compassion and justice they decided was appropriate.”

- Michael Diamondstein
Mark Young had been serving a life sentence for what prosecutors say was his role as a coconspirator in a 1974 bar robbery that ended in the shooting death of a patron. The 67-year-old Young, who maintained his innocence for almost 50 years, is now slated to be released from prison after a negotiated guilty plea. The judge vacated Young’s previous conviction and sentence.
Life Sentence Vacated After Decades in Prison
Notable Cases

Michael J. Diamondstein Secures Client’s Release from Pennsylvania Prison after 37 Years

He took his first free breaths this afternoon after almost 40 years, and he is very happy and humbled.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
Willie Stokes's release comes after the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated his murder conviction, concluding that the state violated Stokes's constitutional rights by "withholding" crucial evidence about the false testimony of a key witness in the case, according to court documents.
Michael J. Diamondstein Secures Client’s Release from Pennsylvania Prison after 37 Years
Notable Cases

Diamondstein Prevails on Murder Charge for Rapper

Mr. Diamondstein saved my life. He is the best there is.

- Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy
Despite that fact that multiple videos showed local rap singer, Monte Small Atwell aka Benjy killing the decedent, a Philadelphia jury found Mr. Atwell Not Guilty of Murder. The video clearly showed that the unarmed decedent was chasing Mr. Atwell. Mr. Atwell’s attorney, Michael Diamondstein litigated a very effective self-defense case. After a number of withering cross examinations and a closing wherein Mr. Diamondstein exhorted the jurors that his client “would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6” the jury agreed that Mr. Atwell’s actions were justified.
Diamondstein Prevails on Murder Charge for Rapper
Notable Cases

Six Narcotics Officers Acquitted in Federal Corruption Trial

The things that were said about these honorable men and police officers over the last eight to 10 months were ridiculous. A lot of people in this city owe these heroes an apology.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
Six members of an elite Philadelphia narcotics squad were acquitted of federal corruption charges – a verdict the men described as “vindication” after nearly a decade of federal scrutiny surrounding their conduct. A jury of six men and six women took 5 1/2 days to reject prosecutors’ arguments that former Officers Thomas Liciardello, Brian Reynolds, Michael Spicer, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman, and John Speiser routinely beat and robbed drug suspects during their time as members of the Narcotics Field Unit.
Six Narcotics Officers Acquitted in Federal Corruption Trial
Notable Cases

DA Seth Williams, in Federal Court, Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges

This indictment is 24 hours old and yet too many politicians and commentators have already tried and convicted Seth Williams in the media. Simply because the government makes explosive allegations in a complaint doesn’t mean they’re going to prove it in a court of law.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of fraud, extortion, and bribery-related charges. But the problems of the city’s cash-strapped top prosecutor continued to mount outside the courtroom, a day after federal authorities accused him of repeatedly selling his influence to wealthy benefactors willing to bankroll his luxury tastes.
DA Seth Williams, in Federal Court, Pleads Not Guilty to Corruption Charges
Notable Cases

When Your Freedom Is at Stake, You Need a Tenacious Litigator

The man gave me my life back.

- Yusef Bey
It's 8:00 on a September morning but Michael Diamonstein has already been in his office for hours. A criminal defense lawyer, Diamondstein likes to be prepared before he goes to court. That preparation paid off to get an innocent man cleared of all charges.
When Your Freedom Is at Stake, You Need a Tenacious Litigator
Notable Cases

DA’s Office Drops Murder Charges in North Philly Shooting

Tremendous day, not only for Mr. Hill but for the entire Philadelphia justice system.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
With evidence missing and the investigation tainted by the involvement of a detective who pleaded guilty to impeding justice, the District Attorney’s Office has withdrawn murder charges against a 28-year-old man, Dante Hill, in a 2011 shooting outside a North Philadelphia sports bar.
DA’s Office Drops Murder Charges in North Philly Shooting
Notable Cases

Exclusive: Claire Risoldi to Pay Less for Insurance Fraud Scheme, Still Hopes to Avoid Jail Time

Diamondstein added that Berks County Senior Judge Stephen Lieberman, who is now overseeing the case, has authority to reconsider the sentence made by the previous judge, who retired last year.

Michael Diamondstein argued the original jail sentence is illegal because the previous judge assigned the case failed to address if Risoldi was eligible for re-entry, which would allow her to be released from jail early.
Exclusive: Claire Risoldi to Pay Less for Insurance Fraud Scheme, Still Hopes to Avoid Jail Time
Notable Cases

Prosecution Failure Leads to Dismissal of Philadelphia Drug Cases

On behalf of Mr. Jordan, we are extremely happy that that the Superior Court upheld the sound decision of Judge Means.

- Michael J. Diamondstein
On October 10, 2014, the Pennsylvania Superior Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that by failing to provide the defense with a copy of police paperwork in a criminal case (Com. v. Jordan, T., 175 EDA 2014 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014 )), the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was barred from the evidence at trial.
Prosecution Failure Leads to Dismissal of Philadelphia Drug Cases