July 25, 2025: Roy Black, the renowned Miami criminal defense attorney whose high-profile client list spanned from financier Jeffrey Epstein to pop star Justin Bieber, has passed away at the age of 80. His death was confirmed on Tuesday by his longtime law partner, Howard Srebnick, who fondly remembered Black as a “teacher, mentor, and friend.”
Over a career spanning decades, Black achieved national recognition for his significant courtroom victories and involvement in controversial cases that frequently dominated headlines and cable news.
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A Career Defined by High-Stakes Cases
Black was a key part of the legal team representing Jeffrey Epstein in his original 2008 sex crimes case in Florida. He played a role in negotiating the widely criticized non-prosecution agreement that allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges in exchange for a plea to lesser state offenses. Even after Epstein’s subsequent arrest in 2019, Black continued to defend the earlier deal, working to block victims’ efforts to reopen the case. His involvement placed him at the heart of one of the most contentious criminal defense efforts in recent memory, alongside legal figures like Alan Dershowitz and Kenneth Starr.
Black first rose to national prominence after securing an acquittal in the 1991 William Kennedy Smith rape trial, a case involving a member of the Kennedy family that was broadcast live nationwide. His notable client roster also included:
Justin Bieber, in a 2014 DUI case involving a Lamborghini.
Rush Limbaugh, facing allegations related to prescription drugs.
Helio Castroneves, the Indy 500 champion, who was acquitted in a tax evasion case.
Amid Khoury, a defendant in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal.
William Lozano, a Miami police officer acquitted in a racially charged fatal shooting in 1989 that led to widespread riots.
Within the legal community, Black was widely regarded as a titan. Criminal defense attorney David O. Markus lauded him as “the Michael Jordan of criminal defense,” asserting that he “outlawyered every prosecutor he ever went up against.”
Legacy and Personal Life
Beyond the courtroom, Black was a prolific legal commentator and author, frequently appearing on national media to demystify complex legal proceedings. He dedicated himself to mentoring countless younger lawyers and authored extensively on criminal defense strategies.
He met his wife, Lea Black, when she served as a juror during the Kennedy Smith trial. She later gained fame for her role on The Real Housewives of Miami. Roy and Lea had a son, RJ, and Black also had a daughter, Nora.
Details regarding funeral arrangements or potential public memorials have not yet been disclosed.