34 yrs fighting for Equality & Justice!!!
Laura M. Miranda Counselor At Law
Graduate of Cornell Law, JD '89, Cornell University School of Arts & Sciences, AB ‘86
For the past 34 years, Ms. Miranda has effectively defended cases including DWI, Murder, Manslaughter, Criminal Negligent Homicide, Vehicular Assault/Homicide, Gang Assault, Assault, Drug Trafficking, Conspiracy, Weapons, Sex Crimes, Burglary, Robbery, Larceny, and White Collar crimes. Although her law firms are in NYC, 1 block North of the World Trade Center, & in PR, Ms. Miranda has sued & deposed in Guadalajara, Mexico; defended clients in CT, MA, NJ & PA, state courts, & PR Federal District Court.
Admitted: NYS 1st Dep't., NYS Eastern, Southern, & Northern Federal District Courts; 1st & 3rd Circuit, Court of Appeals; Federal District Court of Puerto Rico (304804).
CONSULTANT
Fifteen (15) years of experience, Ms. Miranda has been hired by other law firms as a Consultant to assist in defending their clients. Ms. Miranda has advised on Voir Dire, Trial Strategies and Negotiated Plea-Bargains with Prosecutors on NY State & Federal felony cases.
2015 & 2009 PUBLICATIONS
Ms. Miranda's expertise was also sought by Thomson Reuters when the publisher requested she write chapters for "Inside the Minds, DEFENDING DUI VEHICULAR HOMICIDE CASES" to advise trial lawyers. Both chapters Ms. Miranda submitted were published: "Checklist for Effective Representation on a DUI Vehicular Homicide" and "Selecting a Defense Strategy: Understanding the Charges, Analyzing the Evidence, and Always Considering Your Client."
LECTURER - 28 YEARS
Throughout the five (5) boroughs and upstate NY, including New York Law, Brooklyn Law, Fordham, Hofstra, and Cornell, Ms. Miranda has lectured on Criminal Defense practice. Likewise at the Brennan Center for Justice,“The Future of Social Justice Lawyering”; CUNY Law School, "Progressive approach to Defending a Criminal Case" and "Cross-Examination"; John Jay College, "Sex Abuse Crimes" and "Stop & Frisk"; Cornell Law School, "Legal Aid to NYS Supreme Court Clerkship to Private Practice, and "Race, Class & Gender"; Fordham Law School on "Sex Offenses"; NY County District Attorney's Office, Internship Program, "Defending the Criminal Case"; and New York Law School on "Motion Practice".
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
In 1989 after graduating from Cornell Law School, Ms. Miranda began living her teenage dream to be a Public Defender. The first seven (7) years of her career Ms. Miranda was a trial attorney at the NYC Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division. She was also responsible for investigations, line-ups, grand jury presentations, legal memoranda, habeas writs, hearings, teaching interns and young attorneys the ropes.
Ms. Miranda began lecturing on Criminal Defense in 1991 and has continued throughout her career. She was one of two (2) attorneys chosen for the first time to join management at the NYC Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division, in recruiting attorneys.
CLERKSHIP
Due to Ms. Miranda 's litigation excellence she followed Legal Aid with a two (2) year clerkship in NYS Supreme Court, advising Judge Nicholas Figueroa on complex felony legal issues at pre-trial hearings and criminal trials. She drafted nine (9) legal decisions published in the NYLJ, two (2) in which evidence unlawfully obtained was not admitted against the accused at trial. Both decisions made the front page. As a Law Clerk, Ms. Miranda was also responsible for teaching legal interns and young attorneys criminal law and procedure, assigning legal issues for them to research and critiquing their memos of law. At her own law firms for the past 22 years, Ms. Miranda has defended serious and minor crimes, State and Federal, upholding her commitment to make a difference in how People of Color and Immigrants are treated and viewed by our society. Critically empowering her clients to have a voice, to stand up for themselves and others.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 - Present: Volunteer Legal Counsel, United Clergy Task Force, PR Hurricane Maria Relief
2016-2019: Cornell Law School Alumni Board of Directors
2010-2016: Volunteer Lawyer, non-profit, Golden Drum.org
2005-2008: National Criminal Law & Procedure answered questions for Lawyers.com
2005-2006: Anthony Robbins Foundation, Platinum Partner
2005-2006: Skyradio & Forbes on American Airlines
2005-2006 : Fortune Business Executives
2006: One of America's Influential Women, Lawyer's and Business Executives in the News
2003: PR Bar Association Newsletter Article, Laura Miranda's legal practice at the Empire State Building, "A Growing Latino Law Firm Rooted in Love of Work and Seizing the Opportunity."