YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Client Testimonials
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THE BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR.
The BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR!!! Todd changed our lives! He’s not JUST a lawyer representing us for a case. Todd and his office have become Family. When we entered his office in August of 2022, we entered with such anxiety, uncertainty, and so much stress. Honestly we were very lost. My husband and I felt alone. How could a lawyer who didn’t know us, know our family, know our background represents us, When this could change our lives for the next 5-7years that my husband was facing in Federal jail. By the time our free consultation was over with Todd, we left his office at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief.
Chinese Nationals Federal Defense: Chinese If you’re on our website, it’s likely because you’re a Chinese national (or someone who cares about one) facing a federal investigation, or dealing with serious federal charges. We understand how overwhelming this can be. At Spodek Law Group, we’ve spent decades mastering the federal legal system. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience, and we pride ourselves on delivering a white-glove approach for every single client.
We know you might feel alone and anxious right now. Our goal is to stand by you and protect your rights at every stage of your case. Regardless of how complicated things look, we’re here to help you navigate the federal process, minimize the consequences, and safeguard your future.
A Quick Look at Federal Jurisdiction
If you’re dealing with federal authorities, it’s because the alleged offense might involve crossing state lines, financial institutions, or sensitive commercial data. The Department of Justice (DOJ) tends to scrutinize foreign nationals when they suspect international elements. That’s why Chinese nationals often face charges under Title 18 of the U.S. Code—like conspiracy, money laundering, wire fraud, or economic espionage. These charges can carry serious prison sentences, heavy fines, and immigration consequences.
A big difference with federal cases is the amount of time prosecutors spend building their case before they file charges. They want every angle covered. Our job is to expose flaws in how they collected evidence, question the way they’re interpreting the facts, and force them to prove every single allegation. We don’t give them an inch.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Roleplaying Common Defense Strategies
Every client’s situation is unique. Below are examples of how we strategize different federal cases that commonly impact Chinese nationals. We use them to illustrate the depth of our approach.
Scenario: Alleged Trade Secret Theft
Story: You’re a Chinese graduate student in New York, and your research overlaps with classified corporate data. The company claims you downloaded files you weren’t authorized to access.
Defense: We argue there was no criminal intent. We gather expert testimony to show you were following standard academic procedures. We highlight cultural or language barriers that led to misunderstandings about file-sharing protocols. We scrutinize how the company stored its data—maybe it wasn’t clearly labeled as proprietary. We might also raise questions about whether law enforcement exceeded its search warrant parameters.
Scenario: Wire Fraud Accusation
Story: Federal prosecutors allege you transferred money from a U.S. bank account to overseas accounts for “illicit” purposes. They suspect money laundering or a larger conspiracy.
Defense: We poke holes in the government’s interpretation of your transactions. Perhaps these were legitimate family remittances, or typical Chinese business practices. We examine the actual wire transfer logs. If agents failed to follow correct procedures when investigating your finances, we move to suppress any tainted evidence.
Scenario: Conspiracy with Co-Defendants
Story: You’re accused of conspiring with multiple individuals to commit fraud. The prosecution claims you were part of a larger scheme targeting American corporations.
Defense: We challenge whether there was a real “meeting of the minds.” Under 18 U.S.C. § 371, the government has to prove every conspirator intended to commit the crime. If your involvement was minimal or misunderstood—maybe you only provided translation services, never intending anything illegal—we argue that point aggressively. A single missing link could mean the entire conspiracy charge collapses.
Scenario: Economic Espionage
Story: Federal agents claim you supplied sensitive U.S. trade secrets to contacts in China, violating 18 U.S.C. § 1831.
Defense: We analyze whether the data is genuinely a “trade secret.” If it’s general knowledge, or if the prosecution can’t prove it was handled improperly, the charge falls apart. We also look at whether the FBI used entrapment tactics. If you were induced or pressured into certain actions by government agents, that’s a strong defense angle.
Table of Potential Charges, Penalties, and Defense Angles
Federal Charge
Possible Penalties
Defense Angles
Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343)
Up to 20 years in prison, heavy fines
Show lack of criminal intent, challenge the origin of evidence
Prove no wrongdoing, highlight improper search & seizure
Economic Espionage (18 U.S.C. § 1831)
Up to 15 years in prison, very high fines
Show no actual trade secret, question prosecutorial overreach
*Penalties can vary, depending on the alleged harm, prior record, and other factors.
The Sentencing Guidelines and Immigration Concerns
Federal sentencing is guided by 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Factors like loss amount, role in the offense, and whether you accepted responsibility can drive the final sentence. For Chinese nationals, immigration status adds another dimension. Certain felony convictions can trigger removal proceedings or permanent bars to re-entering the U.S. We bring in immigration counsel when necessary, ensuring you don’t end up in a worse position down the road.
Practical Tips and Insights
Preserving Evidence: Keep every document, email, text—anything that might help us show your actual intentions.
Public Statements: Don’t speak to law enforcement or make social media posts without talking to us first. Anything you say can be twisted by the prosecution.
Cultural Context: We emphasize that cultural misunderstandings can lead to unwarranted suspicion. Federal agents might label normal Chinese financial practices as “unusual,” not understanding the bigger picture.
Parallel Investigations: Be aware of possible actions by Chinese authorities. It doesn’t always trigger double jeopardy here, but we need to coordinate carefully if there’s an overlapping investigation.
Why Choose Spodek Law Group
At Spodek Law Group, we handle tough, high-stakes federal cases. We’re not intimidated by federal investigators or prosecutors. We do our own investigating, speak to witnesses, bring in forensic accountants, and file motions to exclude flawed evidence. Our goal is straightforward: get the case against you dismissed, or significantly reduce the charges if dismissal isn’t possible.
We’ve been recognized for our work on major news outlets. Our attorneys have experience taking on complicated cases—like allegations involving Anna Delvey and Ghislaine Maxwell’s mistrial juror—so we understand high-pressure situations. Whether you’re dealing with a straightforward misunderstanding or a sprawling federal probe, we won’t cut corners.
