My Practice

“She Tamed The Beast”

Federal Criminal Client

“Top 50 Women”

Super Lawyers

“Saved My Career As A Doctor”

Criminal Client

NiaLena Caravasos has earned national and international acclaim as one of the most respected and tenacious federal criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania. Known for her relentless pursuit of justice and refusal to take “no” for an answer, NiaLena separates her clients from the masses and crafts highly individualized, strategic defenses that maximize the chances of favorable outcomes.

Through her boutique law practice, she provides personal, undivided attention and frequently makes herself available around the clock to ensure that her clients receive the highest level of care and legal defense. Her philosophy is deeply rooted in Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”—embracing unconventional paths to deliver extraordinary results in cases others often consider hopeless.

What truly sets NiaLena apart is her unwavering compassion. She views every client as a whole person—not just a case file—and recognizes that individuals facing federal criminal charges often struggle with complex, deep-rooted challenges beyond the legal realm. Her uniquely holistic approach considers emotional, psychological, and social factors alongside legal strategy, creating a more comprehensive and effective defense.

Unlike most other lawyers in her field, NiaLena brings to the table a prestigious business education from The Wharton School and first-hand experience in international business. This powerful background gives her rare insight into the personal and professional pressures faced by white-collar defendants and allows her to uniquely understand her clients and to therefore be able to navigate intricate federal investigations with unmatched precision.

From the beginning of her career, NiaLena has been known for breaking boundaries. As the youngest and only female attorney to represent a high-ranking mafia member, she fearlessly stood alone, defying the traditional “old boys’ network” to do what was right for her client. Her bold and ethical decision-making has continued to define her practice.

Her fearless advocacy and extraordinary skill have not gone unnoticed. She has been featured three times on the covers of prestigious magazines – including twice on the cover of Super Lawyers Magazine, not only by herself in 2013 but also again on the cover of the 2023 20th Anniversary Edition alongside some of the most esteemed names in law. She remains the only Philadelphia criminal defense attorney to receive this Super Lawyers cover recognition more than once.

NiaLena’s excellence has been recognized year after year:

• 2024: Named for the fifth year to the “Top 100” Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and “Top 100” in Philadelphia across all practice areas
• 2024: Selected for the ninth time as one of the “Top 50 Women” Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania across all practice areas
• Sixteen consecutive years as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer

In 2021, she was honored by an international nonprofit organization that profiles inspirational global figures—including Nobel laureates and Olympic gold medalists—making her one of only two lawyers in the U.S. ever selected. Most recently in 2025, CIO Women Magazine recognized her on the cover as a “Pioneer of Female Leadership in Male-Dominated Criminal Defense.”

NiaLena focuses her legal practice on federal criminal defense and white-collar crime and serious state criminal matters. She represents individuals at every stage—from grand jury subpoenas and target letters to full-scale federal indictments. Her experience spans high-profile and highly complex cases, often involving sophisticated surveillance, wiretaps, and multi-agency investigations.

Her defense work includes investigations and prosecutions led by the:

• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
• DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)
• DHS (Department of Homeland Security)
• IRS (Internal Revenue Service)
• NSA (National Security Agency)
• ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)
• ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
• USPS (United States Postal Inspection Service)
• SBA (Small Business Administration)
• NASA, OIG, Secret Service, and more

Over the years, NiaLena has successfully handled cases involving:

• White Collar Crime: Mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, healthcare fraud, PPP/COVID-19 fraud, mortgage fraud, investment fraud
• Financial & International Crimes: Embezzlement, money laundering, smuggling, export violations, terrorism related
• Conspiracy and Racketeering: RICO, organized crime, corrupt organizations
• Public Corruption & Bribery: Political corruption, obstruction of justice, false statements
• Drug and Firearms Offenses: Narcotics trafficking, weapons violations
• Cybercrime and Computer Offenses: Including crimes related to cryptocurrency and digital assets
• Sex Crimes: Sexual assault, child pornography
• Violent Crimes: Homicide, manslaughter, arson, aggravated assault
• Post-Conviction Matters: Federal habeas corpus, PCRA, appeals
• Federal Sentencing: Downward departures, variances

NiaLena’s federal criminal defense practice spans:

• Eastern District of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Berks County, Chester County, Lehigh County, Lancaster County, Northampton County
• Middle District of Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport
• New Jersey Districts: Camden, Trenton, Newark
• Washington, D.C. & Eastern District of Virginia
• Select Federal Jurisdictions Nationwide

No matter the jurisdiction or complexity, NiaLena’s mission remains the same: to offer fierce, ethical, and strategic representation while honoring the humanity of every client she serves.

Over the years, NiaLena Caravasos has been entrusted by a remarkably diverse group of clients—ranging from prominent public figures to everyday individuals from all walks of life—reflecting her wide-ranging expertise, discretion, and dedication to justice. Her clientele includes:

• Alleged made members of La Cosa Nostra (LCN)
• Medical professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses from across the United States
• A National Security Agency (NSA) employee with the highest security clearance (Top Secret / SCI) in global intelligence operations
• A powerful elected official
• A senior federal government official from the U.S. Department of Justice
• A high-ranking leader within the U.S. central banking system
• Alleged kingpins of major narcotics trafficking operations
• The principal of a national advertising agency
• Corporate executives, accountants, and financiers
• A CEO of an out-of-state mortgage firm
• A touring international musician
• An Olympic boxing hopeful
• Fellow attorneys
• Federal law enforcement agents and police officers
• A disabled military veteran honored for service to the nation
• University students from diverse academic institutions
• Citizens from all walks of life, including Arab American, Russian-Ukrainian American, Albanian American, Asian American, European backgrounds, African American, Latin American, and many other ethnic backgrounds

No matter their status or situation, each client receives NiaLena’s full commitment, strategic thinking, and compassionate advocacy. Her ability to connect across cultures, professions, and legal challenges makes her one of the most sought-after federal criminal defense attorneys in Philadelphia and beyond.

Early in her career, NiaLena Caravasos made national headlines as the youngest and only female attorney to defend a reputed organized crime figure in the high-profile federal RICO trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino. As chronicled in Super Lawyers Magazine’s feature article, “Fierce,” she boldly challenged the conventional defense strategy and chose to stand independently for what she believed was right—for both herself and her client. In a courtroom dominated by powerful male attorneys from the so-called “old-boy network,” NiaLena emerged as a fearless outsider with a fierce moral compass.

Following a nearly five-month trial—marking the first time a mob boss turned government witness against his own family—NiaLena’s client, Frank Gambino, was acquitted of attempted murder and racketeering charges. Her powerful closing argument was later selected and spotlighted by the Center for Criminal Justice Advocacy in Houston and is still used by various professors nationwide as a teaching tool for excellence in defense advocacy.

Building on that early momentum, NiaLena quickly rose to become lead counsel in complex, multi-defendant federal and state criminal cases. Notably, she was again the youngest and only female attorney on the high-powered defense team for Senator Vincent Fumo, long considered Pennsylvania’s most powerful political figure, during his five-month federal political corruption trial.

Her impact on that case was significant. She co-authored a groundbreaking emergency motion to halt jury deliberations due to a juror’s use of social media platforms like Facebook and X (Twitter)—a legal issue that attracted coverage from The New York Times, ABC News, and more. Once again, NiaLena was on the cutting edge of evolving courtroom issues.

Today, NiaLena continues to represent clients at the highest levels of influence and scrutiny, including:

• A Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank
• A pharmacist under federal investigation
• A global auto exporter operating in the Middle East and Far East
• A high-ranking official in the U.S. Department of Justice
• A senior executive in a Fortune 500 financial institution in Washington, D.C.
• A New York-based Arab-American entrepreneur

Throughout her career, her commitment has earned her praise from media, judges, and respected legal figures. The Philadelphia Daily News, a Pulitzer Prize-winning publication, described her as “deliberate, sincere, extremely thorough, and tireless,” while esteemed crime journalist George Anastasia called her “no-nonsense” in The Last Gangster.

During one federal court proceeding, Judge Paul S. Diamond of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania commended her publicly:

You’ve put an enormous amount of work into this.
I want you to know how much I appreciate all the work you’ve done.
I certainly hope your client appreciates it as well.

NiaLena’s path in criminal defense was shaped by early, meaningful legal experiences. She interned at the District Attorney’s Offices in both Philadelphia and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Lisa Aversa Richette, a trailblazer for women and pioneering Philadelphia homicide judge known for her intellect, independence, and compassion.

It was under Judge Richette’s guidance that NiaLena learned to see beyond the surface of her clients’ charges—to recognize their humanity and embrace them as human beings as opposed to seeing them only as defendants. That lesson continues to inform her holistic approach, allowing NiaLena to not only defend but to also transform and affect the course of her clients’ lives in ways that far transcend the immediate boundaries of their legal cases.

In 1997, NiaLena joined the prestigious firm of F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, former District Attorney of Philadelphia, who became a beloved mentor and not only taught her the deeper nuances of federal criminal defense but also helped her gain the courtroom confidence so that she could soar on her own. She later became his partner in 2003, and the firm was renamed Fitzpatrick & Caravasos, PC in 2006. Upon Mr. Fitzpatrick’s retirement after practicing together for eleven years, NiaLena established her own law firm where she has continued her fierce, strategic, and client-centered approach in high-level federal criminal matters. To read more about NiaLena’s unique and inspired mentorship with Emmett Fitzpatrick, please visit the Tribute page of this website.

And years later while practicing in Federal Court, NiaLena was introduced by a federal judge to Robert L. Sadoff, M.D., “a founder of modern forensic psychiatry.” Finding common ground in their shared interest of the growing intersection between forensic psychiatry and federal criminal defense, NiaLena joined forces with Dr. Sadoff to save many clients whose mental health challenges contributed to their criminal paths and was also a co-author of one of his books. And to this day, she continues to incorporate this same philosophy into her practice as appropriate.

Above all, NiaLena is deeply honored and humbled by the trust placed in her by clients from every walk of life—from political leaders and executives to everyday individuals facing the most daunting legal battles of their lives. She is especially grateful for the heartfelt reviews from clients and the professional endorsements from her colleagues, many of which are featured on the Quotes by Others and Case Successes pages of this website.

NiaLena’s style is very intense and personal, and she tells it like it is. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to provide the strongest defense possible in an effort not only to secure the best legal outcome but also to restore the person to a good life while treating every client with dignity, compassion, and respect—a rare combination that continues to set her apart in the legal world.

Looking for powerful federal criminal defense in Philadelphia or beyond? Contact NiaLena Caravasos today to schedule a confidential consultation and experience legal advocacy combined with humanity at its highest level.

If you’re facing federal criminal or white-collar crime charges, need more information about your specific situation, or wish to consult with NiaLena Caravasos—a top-rated federal criminal defense and white-collar attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—regarding a similar legal matter mentioned above, please contact our office.