Marc Agnifilo is a prominent criminal lawyer who has been involved in some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in recent years. He has represented clients such as Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Martin Shkreli, Harvey Weinstein, and Keith Raniere. But who is the woman behind this successful attorney? Meet Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his wife of 27 years and a former chief assistant district attorney of Manhattan.
How They Met and Married
The pair met three decades ago when they were both working as assistant district attorneys in New York. They fell in love and tied the knot in 1996. They have three children together: Camille “Eliza” Agnifilo, Sofia Agnifilo, and Alex Agnifilo Conescu. Alex and Sofia are fraternal twins.
According to The Family Nation, Agnifilo made headlines in November 2017 after excusing herself from Harvey Weinstein’s case as a chief district attorney because he had hired her spouse as his defense attorney. The conflict of interest among the pair led her to take herself off the case.
Their Professional Achievements
Karen Friedman Agnifilo has had a distinguished career in criminal justice in New York. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and subsequently attended Georgetown University Law Center for her Juris Doctor degree.
She served as a chief assistant district attorney of Manhattan for six years, overseeing more than 500 prosecutors and handling cases such as the Central Park jogger, the Etan Patz disappearance, and the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking. She also worked as a special counsel to the New York attorney general and as a deputy chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
In January 2023, she left her public service career and started a private practice. She currently works for Agnifilo Law Group as a partner, according to her Twitter bio.
Marc Agnifilo has also had an impressive legal career. He graduated from Connecticut College in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science and from Brooklyn Law School in 1992 with a JD degree. He was also honored with the American Jurisprudence Award and co-chaired the Moot Court Honor Society.
He started his career as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan and then moved to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where he served as the chief of the Violent Crimes Unit.He led the prosecution against members of the International Boxing Federation for racketeering in 2000, according to EverybodyWiki
He joined Brafman and Associates law firm as a senior trial counsel in 2006 and has since defended some of the most notorious and vilified figures in the media. He was part of the team that represented Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former head of the International Monetary Fund, who was accused of sexually assaulting a hotel maid in 2011. The charges were later dismissed.
He also defended Martin Shkreli, the former pharmaceutical executive who was dubbed “the most hated man in America” and “Pharma Bro” for raising the price of a life-saving drug by 5,000%. Shkreli was convicted of fraud in 2017 and sentenced to seven years in prison.
He was also involved in the legal representation of Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced Hollywood producer who faced multiple charges of rape and sexual assault. Weinstein was convicted of two counts in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
He also defended Keith Raniere, the founder of NXIVM, a self-help group that was exposed as a cult that branded and enslaved women. Raniere was found guilty of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other crimes in 2019 and sentenced to 120 years in prison.
Their Challenges and Controversies
The couple’s legal careers have not been without challenges and controversies. They have faced criticism and scrutiny for their roles in some of the most divisive and sensational cases in the country. They have also had to balance their professional and personal lives, especially when they were on opposite sides of the law.
According to Wealthy Peeps, the pair has been accused of having a conflict of interest in some of their cases, such as the Weinstein and Raniere trials. Some critics have suggested that Agnifilo’s position as a chief assistant district attorney gave her husband an advantage or access to confidential information. Others have questioned their ethics and morals for defending clients who were widely condemned by the public and the media.
The couple has also faced personal challenges, such as raising their three children while juggling their demanding careers. They have also had to deal with the stress and pressure of being in the spotlight and facing public scrutiny and backlash.
Their Future Plans and Goals
Despite the challenges and controversies, the couple has remained steadfast and supportive of each other. They have also continued to pursue their passion and excellence in the legal field. They have both expressed their interest and commitment to serving justice and upholding the law.
Karen Friedman Agnifilo has stated that she wants to use her experience and expertise to help people who are facing criminal charges or investigations. She has also said that she wants to advocate for criminal justice reform and address issues such as racial disparities, mass incarceration, and wrongful convictions.
Marc Agnifilo has stated that he believes in the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence for everyone, regardless of their reputation or popularity. He has also said that he enjoys the challenge and complexity of criminal defense and that he is always ready to take on new and difficult cases.
The couple has also expressed their love and admiration for each other and their children. They have said that they are proud of their family and their achievements and that they are grateful for their opportunities and blessings. They have also said that they are looking forward to spending more time together and with their children, especially after the pandemic.
