About

There are many important factors to consider when choosing the right criminal defense attorney to represent you. Below you will learn more about Robert Richman’s experience, education, and reputation for successfully defending his clients in federal court.

MINNESOTA FEDERAL CRIME LAWYER

Expertise

Robert D. Richman has represented hundreds of clients in federal court and has won numerous acquittals. He is known for his withering cross-examinations and compelling closing arguments. He is often told by people who see lawyers in action every day — other attorneys, investigators, and courtroom personnel — that if they were arrested, they would want him to represent them. Robert has a sterling reputation with federal judges, other criminal defense attorneys, and his clients.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Education

Robert graduated magna cum laude from Brown University. He received his law degree from Yale Law School in 1983, where he was a senior editor of the Yale Law Journal. After clerking for the Honorable Rya W. Zobel, a federal judge in Boston, Massachusetts, Robert spent three years as a litigation associate at the Boston law firm of Hill & Barlow. From 1987 to 2000, Robert was a highly regarded Assistant Federal Defender in the Districts of Massachusetts and Minnesota. In 2000, he started his own law firm, Margulies & Richman plc, specializing in criminal defense and civil rights litigation. In 2009, he directed the mentor program, training young attorneys for the United States District Court and the Federal Public Defender's Office and maintained his private practice in federal criminal law.

LinkedIn Profile

Recognition & Memberships

Robert is a frequent lecturer, teaching trial and pretrial skills and tactics to other attorneys.

The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)

Fellow
The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) is composed of pre-eminent members of the Trial Bar from the United States and Canada and is recognized as the leading trial lawyers’ organization in both countries. Only the top 1% of lawyers in any state or province are invited to become members of the ACTL. Fellowship is extended only by invitation, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

American Board of Criminal Lawyers (ABCL)

Fellow
National legal honorary society for outstanding criminal trial lawyers with admission by invitation only. Members must have at least 10 years of criminal trial experience, and have tried at least 50 trials of which 35 were felony jury trials. Exceptional recommendations from distinguished jurists and current Fellows attesting to each of the candidate’s high ethics as well as their litigation skills in the area of criminal defense are also required.

Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL)

Member, Board of Directors
The Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Minnesota’s preeminent defense bar association. This organization helps members learn from the very best, hone their skills, promote justice, and contribute to the legislative process. Robert was a member of MACDL’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2021.

AVVO

Contributor
Robert has achieved the highest ranking of “10/Superb” by Avvo for his contributions to this internet legal community.

Publications

For several years, Robert was the co-editor of Practice Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the leading legal treatise on the sentencing guidelines, published by the American Bar Association. He was also a contributing author.

Co-editor, "Practice Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines," (Aspen Publishers 2003 & 2004 Suppls.).

“Plea and Sentencing Procedure,” Practice Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines,
ch. 7 (Aspen Publishers-4th ed. 2005).

Note, “A Proposal to Ensure Accuracy in Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports,” 91 Yale Law Journal 1225 (1982).

“Contesting Guideline Enhancements in Fraud and Financial Cases,” VI Magazine (2018)

“Overcoming the Language Barrier,” Challenger Magazine (Summer 2015) at 5

“Effective Assistance of Counsel in Plea Negotiations,” Challenger Magazine (Winter 2015) at 32

"It's About Justice, Not Convictions," Minneapolis Star Tribune (Sept. 1, 2001) at 17A.

“Freedom of the Press in America: First Stirrings,” 5 Clio: A Journal of History 6 (1980).

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ENDORSEMENTS

Federal Judge

"You are a very fine lawyer with great skills. Lawyers with your talent and ability, especially given your approach to zealous advocacy for your clients, truly make the criminal justice system better."

Federal Prosecutor

"I rank him among the top 5 lawyers against whom I have worked. He is a supurb writer, an impassioned advocate, and a great trial lawyer who has worked his whole career almost exclusively in federal court."

Client

"I have had relationships with many attorneys over the years, and Mr. Richman has one of the finest legal minds I have ever encountered — a fact which has made many of his associates refer to him as scary smart."

Federal Defense Lawyer

"Each time Robert tried a case, the first call I got was from the presiding Judge, complimenting, and sometimes even raving about his performance. That was followed by the jury's verdict, often in Robert's favor."

Federal Judge

"You are an ace in the deck."

Client

"At the end, when the verdict came in for full acquittal of all charges, Robert was as emotionally drained as I was. I truly believe, that if not for his unshakeable belief in my innocence, his dedication and determination to represent me to the absolute best of his abilities, I would never have walked out of that courtroom a free man."

Federal Prosecutor

"Mr. Richman is clearly one of the best defense attorneys against whom I have litigated. He is a tremendous advocate on behalf of his clients, both in the courtroom, and in his written work. In the courtroom, he combines passion and zeal with an incredible attention to detail. Whether in arguments to the court or jury, or in questioning witnesses, he invariably identifies and exploits every possible weakness in the opposing case."

Client

"When the trial finally started, Robert was consistently the calmest, best prepared and attentive lawyer in the courtroom. He seemed to live and breathe my case for three months."

Federal Defense Lawyer

"I can recall at least two specific instances when Robert's intellect and creativity led to solutions that no other member of the legal team envisioned. On these occasions, his calm influence brought others to see the wisdom of his approach and he correctly persuaded members of the legal team to adopt what turned out to be the correct path."

Client

"Mr. Richman did a great job by proving I was innocent. He goes out of his way to understand all circumstances in an equal manner. He will do all what's needed to get the job done."

Federal Prosecutor

“Boy, did you have an uphill battle. It’s really hard to believe your client was not convicted. You did a fabulous job.”

Federal Judge

Designation

"He is an effective advocate who has a reputation among my colleagues on the federal bench as being extremely bright and creative and one of our very best criminal defense attorneys."

Client

"Mr. Richman was not just a good lawyer in representing me; he is the best lawyer that I have ever known. Prevailing was no small task as it was the only habeas corpus proceeding of its type that was successful in Minnesota Federal District Court in about 50 years."