Who is Alex Spiro, Mayor Adams’ high-profile attorney?
Farkas praises Spiro’s aggressive defense style, cites success in high-profile cases like Alec Baldwin’s dismissal
Alex Spiro, the high-profile attorney representing Mayor Eric Adams, is known for his work with clients such as Elon Musk, Jay-Z, and Alec Baldwin. Photo: Ramsey de Give/Pool photo via AP
As Mayor Eric Adams faces federal corruption charges, he’s turned to Alex Spiro, a lawyer known for representing some of the country’s most prominent figures, including Elon Musk, Jay-Z and Alec Baldwin. Spiro, a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, has built a reputation for winning difficult cases and thriving in high-stakes litigation.
Spiro’s client list includes celebrities and billionaires, but his career began far from the spotlight. He studied biopsychology at Tufts University before earning his law degree from Harvard Law School. Early on, he worked at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, where he helped secure convictions in high-profile cases, including the notorious “Dating Game” serial killer Rodney Alcala.
Over the years, Spiro has distinguished himself by representing high-profile clients in cases that draw national attention. His work for Elon Musk, in particular, has positioned him as a key figure in legal battles involving tech billionaires. Spiro’s approach often combines aggressive courtroom strategy with a media-savvy public defense, which is evident in his handling of Mayor Adams’ case.
Michael Farkas, a Brooklyn defense attorney and past president of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association, praised Spiro’s approach.
“Alex Spiro is an experienced and talented criminal defense attorney,” Farkas said. “He will be aggressive in his defense of Mayor Adams and take advantage of any weaknesses he can find in the government’s case.”
Spiro has represented athletes, musicians and business leaders in cases involving white-collar crime, defamation and intellectual property disputes. His recent defense of Baldwin in a manslaughter case further solidified his reputation.
“He and his co-counsel did a masterful job in pushing for Alec Baldwin’s case to be dismissed,” Farkas added. “That case fell apart, and rightfully so, thanks to good lawyering by him and his co-counsel team.”
In the mayor’s defense, Spiro has already criticized prosecutors for their tactics, accusing them of staging a public spectacle to sway potential jurors. “We have known for some time that they would try to bring a case against Mayor Adams,” Spiro said, indicating he is ready to confront the charges in court.
Spiro’s work extends beyond the courtroom. He lectures at Harvard Law School and is a member of several boards, including the Reform Alliance, a criminal justice reform organization. Despite his long list of accolades and elite clients, Spiro remains focused on challenging cases where the odds appear stacked against his clients — a quality that may prove essential as he defends Adams in the months ahead.
Spiro has represented numerous high-profile clients throughout his legal career. His roster includes tech mogul Elon Musk, rapper Jay-Z, and actor Alec Baldwin, among others. Spiro defended Musk in a high-profile defamation lawsuit and securities fraud trials while he secured dismissals in a manslaughter case for Baldwin and in breach of contract claims for Jay-Z. He has also worked with 21 Savage on an immigration case and represented NFL owner Robert Kraft.
The charges against Mayor Adams and potential fallout
Mayor Adams has been indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and illegally soliciting political contributions from foreign nationals. According to the federal indictment unsealed Thursday, Adams allegedly accepted luxury travel, hotel stays, and other gifts over the span of nearly a decade. These benefits were reportedly provided by foreign businesspeople, including a Turkish government official seeking to gain influence over the mayor. The indictment also accuses Adams of using straw donors to conceal foreign contributions in violation of U.S. election laws.
Prosecutors allege that Adams’ 2021 mayoral campaign improperly received more than $10 million in public funds through the city’s matching-fund program. These funds were allegedly secured using false claims regarding campaign donations. The indictment details a range of luxury trips Adams allegedly took, including destinations such as France, China, and Turkey, where he and his associates were provided with high-end accommodations, meals, and entertainment, all facilitated by foreign donors.
In exchange for these gifts, Adams is accused of using his political influence to benefit his foreign benefactors. One notable instance in the indictment describes how Adams allegedly pressured the New York City Fire Department to approve the opening of a Turkish consular building without a proper fire inspection. The indictment claims a fire official was threatened with losing his job if he refused to comply.
If convicted, Adams could face severe legal and political consequences, including the potential loss of his mayoralty and possible imprisonment. However, Adams has maintained his innocence, vowing to fight the charges and remain in office.
Under New York City’s charter, Gov. Kathy Hochul has the authority to remove Mayor Eric Adams from office following his indictment. This process begins when charges are officially served to the mayor, who must be given an opportunity to defend himself. The governor can also choose to temporarily suspend Adams for up to 30 days while the charges are reviewed.
If Adams is suspended or removed, the powers of the office would temporarily fall to Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is next in the line of succession, followed by City Comptroller Brad Lander if Williams is unable to serve.
If Adams were to resign or be removed permanently, a special election would be held to fill the vacancy. According to the city’s succession plan, the acting mayor must declare the election date within three days of the vacancy. The elected replacement would serve the remainder of the unexpired term. While Adams has stated that he intends to remain in office and fight the charges, calls for his resignation from political opponents and fellow Democrats have already begun, leaving the next steps uncertain.
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