| Benjamin Brafman | |
| Birth Date: | 21 July 1948 |
| Birth Place: | New York City, U.S. |
| Alma Mater: | Brooklyn College (BA) Ohio Northern University (JD) New York University (LLM) |
| Occupation: | Attorney |
| Children: | 2 |
| Spouse: | Lynda Brafman |
Benjamin Brafman (born July 21, 1948)[1] is an American criminal defense attorney and founder of the Manhattan-based law firm Brafman & Associates.[2] Brafman is known for representing many high-profile defendants, including celebrities, accused Mafia members, and political figures.
Brafman grew up in Brooklyn and Belle Harbor, Queens, a son of Holocaust survivors. Brafman's family fled from Europe to Cuba on their way to the United States just before World War II. He went to a Yeshiva High School and took night classes at Brooklyn College, majoring in anthropology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.[2] [3]
Brafman received his Juris Doctor with distinction from Ohio Northern University College of Law.[2] He also earned an LL.M. from New York University School of Law.[4] In May 2014, Brafman was awarded an honorary degree by Ohio Northern University College of Law.[5]
After graduating from law school, admitted to the New York State Bar in 1975, Brafman worked for a criminal defense firm for two years, then became an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. In 1980, Brafman started his own law firm in Manhattan.[2]
Brafman slowly established his reputation as a celebrity lawyer through a series of high-profile cases.
Brafman defended Sean "P. Diddy" Combs during his 1999 trial on illegal weapons and bribery charges. Combs, who referred to Brafman as "Uncle Benny"[3] was acquitted of the criminal charges, which stemmed from a nightclub brawl while he was accompanied by then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and his usual entourage. One hundred prosecution witnesses and others testified to Combs's culpability, but still a not-guilty verdict was decreed on all charges, raising Brafman's profile.[6] [7] [8] [9]
In November 2023, Brafman would again represent Combs as he was facing a $30 million sexual assault lawsuit from his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura. He would publicly denounce Ventura's accusations against Combs, including in an exclusive interview with People.[10] The lawsuit would end the day after it was filed when both parties agreed to an undisclosed settlement.[11]
On November 30, 2008, Brafman was hired to represent NFL star Plaxico Burress who, on August 3, 2009, was indicted on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and one count of reckless endangerment.[12] [13] Burress pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced to two years in prison.[14]
See main article: New York v. Strauss-Kahn. In 2011, Brafman represented French politician, economist and former IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn in a sexual assault case involving a member of the housekeeping staff of an upscale New York City hotel.[3] Brafman and Strauss-Kahn's other lawyer, William W. Taylor, III, of Zuckerman Spaeder LLP,[15] gained first a recommendation that charges be dropped from New York County District Attorney Cyrus Vance, and then charges dropped by New York State Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus.[16] Brafman discussed his defense of Strauss-Kahn on Charlie Rose in February, 2012.[17]
See main article: New York divorce coercion gang. In 2014 and 2015, Brafman represented Martin Wolmark of the Epstein-Wolmark gang, an outfit that had plotted the kidnap and torture of Jewish husbands to coerce them into granting their wives gets (religious divorces).[18]