Richard C. Southard, Esq.

Former Undefeated Prosecutor with Excellent Trial Record

Before starting his own firm, Mr. Southard was the Criminal Court Deputy Bureau Chief and prosecutor for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. This is one of the largest and most frequented urban prosecutor’s offices in the U.S., serving 2.5 million diverse individuals throughout the area. The case volume at this office is more than 100,000 per year, which is greater than the amount of cases prosecuted annually by some states.

Education

Prior to working at the DA’s office in 1996, Richard Southard studied at Brooklyn Law School. During his time here, he studied under Brooklyn District Attorney, Charles J. Hynes, how to be an aggressive trial advocate. Since that time, he has prosecuted numerous violent crimes cases.

Passion for Law

  • Attorney Southard has supervised and trained well over 50 junior assistant DAs
  • He has conducted NYPD recruit training programs regarding courtroom testimony
  • He has participated in School Advocacy Programs on criminal law concepts for three local elementary schools
  • He is currently an adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, teaching Communication Skills in the Courtroom

Starting His Own Practice

Mr. Southard opened up his law office in 2003 in lower Manhattan, but has handled cases in all five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau and Albany counties. Mr. Southard believes that every case deserves his personal attention and instead of assigning work to be handled by paralegals or attorneys with minimal experience. He stays abreast of the latest criminal defense strategies bay participating in many Continuing Legal Education courses.

Accolades & Achievements

  • 10.0 Superb Rated lawyer on Avvo
  • Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Top Contributor for Avvo in 2014
  • Clients' Choice Award for Criminal Defense on Avvo in 2012
  • A+ Rating on BBB
  • One of the 10 Best Lawyers for 2014 by the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys™

Guest Commentator, Court TV, Fox News Channel, ABC News Now

Attorney Southard has been a guest commentator on:

  • Catherine Crier Live
  • Trial Hour
  • Courtside
  • Open Court
  • Both Sides for Court TV, on a consistent basis

Fox News Channel has invited him to appear as a legal analyst regarding well-known cases involving Martha Stewart, Scott Peterson, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson. Additionally, ABC News Now has welcomed him as a legal analyst on their program as well.

To stay up to date with the latest from Attorney Southard, you can follow his legal blog here where you can submit legal questions and expect answers.