Roy Black, one of America’s most recognized and controversial criminal defense attorneys, died Monday at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, at the age of 80, following an undisclosed illness.
The news was confirmed by his longtime law partner Howard Srebnick, who praised Black as a towering figure in the legal world.
“Roy Black was the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history,” Srebnick told The Miami Herald.
“The losses I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable.”
The Lawyer Behind Epstein’s 2008 Plea Deal
Black gained national attention for representing financier Jeffrey Epstein, negotiating the 2008 plea agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal sex trafficking charges by pleading guilty to state-level prostitution charges involving minors.
Epstein served just 13 months of an 18-month sentence—during which he received work release privileges—a deal that would later be fiercely criticized and scrutinized by the public and members of Congress.
Two of Epstein’s accusers later sued, saying the plea deal was made without their knowledge or consent, violating federal law. Black, in court filings, denied any wrongdoing, calling the deal “no sweetheart deal by any stretch.”
In 2015, Black sought to block the release of communications between Epstein’s legal team and federal prosecutors, arguing Epstein would be “irreparably harmed” if they were made public.
Epstein was later re-arrested in 2019, and died in jail while awaiting trial.
A Legal Career Spanning High-Profile and Celebrity Trials
Despite the controversy surrounding the Epstein case, Roy Black had a storied legal career that spanned over five decades. He is perhaps best known for securing the 1991 acquittal of William Kennedy Smith in a rape case that captivated the nation and was broadcast live.
Black’s client list read like a who’s who of South Florida headlines and celebrity news:
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Rush Limbaugh, conservative radio icon
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Justin Bieber, pop star
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Kelsey Grammer, actor
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Joe Francis, founder of Girls Gone Wild
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William Lozano, Miami police officer involved in a shooting that led to riots
In Lozano’s case, Black overturned a conviction, winning an acquittal in a retrial held outside of Miami.
Black also became a regular media presence, appearing on shows like Larry King Live and Today to comment on legal matters and lend his expertise.
Remembered as a Legal Force
Black continued working even during his final illness, according to Srebnick. He is survived by his wife, Lea Black, and their two children, Roy Black Jr. and Nora Black.
