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
5
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.
The Department of Justice Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force: Combating the Opioid Crisis
The Department of Justice Prescription Interdiction & Litigation Task Force (PIL) is the entity that the federal government uses to fight the prescription opioid crisis. It calls for every criminal and law enforcement tool to be put toward fighting this epidemic. The main focus was meant to be on drug manufacturers and drug distributors, and the purpose was to significantly reduce the number of overdoses due to opioids.
Origins of the Epidemic
The epidemic began because the pharmaceutical industry lied to physicians in the 1990s. According to the industry, opioid pain medications were not addictive, so physicians began to prescribe them at much greater rates. People began to misuse these medications, and it was clear that opioids were very addictive.
The Department of Justice has been engaged in this fight for several years, but the inauguration of the PIL helps by placing all of the government’s efforts for fighting the opioid crisis into one entity.
Urgency of Action
The federal government determined that it was time to act because in 2015 and 2016, American life expectancy decreased with 180 citizens dying of drug overdoses every single day. Drug overdoses are the number one cause of death amongst those under the age of 50. According to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the U.S. couldn’t accept this reality, so his department decided to do everything that it could to reverse this trend.
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.
How the PIL Works
The PIL aims its efforts at the opioid distribution system. It uses all criminal and civil remedies it can to arrest and try opioid manufacturers when they engage in wrongdoing. It also ensures that opioid manufacturers are honest in their marketing efforts and follow all of the rules put forth by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA. The federal government also assists local and state governments in their lawsuits against opioid manufacturers.
In addition to focusing on manufacturers, the Department of Justice turns its attention to the distributors of opioids. These targets include physicians, drug testing facilities and pain-management clinics that are involved in criminal activity.
The PIL has its eye on distributors and pharmacies so that it can ensure that both entities are obeying the DEA’s rules that seek to prevent unlawful opioid prescriptions. For example, the False Claims Act prohibits the false billing of the federal government, so the federal government uses this act to punish physicians, drug testing facilities and pain-management clinics that are engaged in prescribing opioids.
The Controlled Substances Act classifies drugs that the federal government regulates into “schedules.” Opioids are under “Schedule II” on the list of Controlled Substances. This means that opioids are likely to be abused, and they have the potential to cause the user to develop a severe physical or psychological dependence. The federal government uses this law to punish pharmacies and physicians when they break the law.
The PIL strengthens the Opioid Fraud and Abuse Detection Unit to identify entities engaged in contributing to the opioid crisis. It also assists the Department of Health and Human Services in its efforts to identify and prosecute anyone involved with illegal opioid prescriptions.
In addition to that, Attorney General Jeff Sessions advised the PIL to create a group that would be in charge of the following:
Recommending changes in the laws.
Determining whether or not laws need to be changed in the way that entities distribute opioids.
Improve communication between agencies so that fraud and violations of the law can be detected easily.
Facing Charges Related to Opioids
Being charged with opioid fraud, for example, may be very serious. It will depend on whether or not the charges are criminal or civil. If you can ensure that the investigation will remain a civil investigation, this will be much more advantageous to you. For example, you may be charged under the False Claims Act, and this would be a substantial charge. However, the penalties would not be as severe as they would be if you are charged criminally. A federal criminal charge may result in significant prison time.
If you have already been notified by the PIL Task Force, the next step that you need to take is to hire a defense attorney. It is very important that you do not wait until the federal government charges you with a crime. Your attorney will begin working on your case right away while the investigation is ongoing.
