Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School
Harvard College
Admissions
State Bar of New York
United States District Courts:
Southern District of New York
Eastern District of New York
Biography
Charles E. Clayman is one of Clayman Rosenberg Kirshner & Linder LLP’s founding partners and presently serves as the firm’s chairman. He focuses his practice on white-collar criminal defense.
For more than four decades, Chuck has represented individuals in federal and state investigations and prosecutions throughout the United States and internationally. These matters have included charges involving official corruption, RICO, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, tax evasion, securities fraud, money laundering, health care fraud, identity theft, and cryptocurrency crimes. He has also conducted internal corporate investigations. Chuck has been at the forefront of internet gambling law, advising domestic and foreign corporations in navigating regulatory and legal frameworks.
Chuck began his practice as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under legendary District Attorney Frank Hogan. He later served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and as General Counsel to the New York City Department of Investigation.
A frequent lecturer, Chuck has spoken widely and taught CLE courses in federal and state criminal practice for the New York State Bar Association and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He is also a longtime faculty member of the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
In 2024, Chuck was honored with the New York Law Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the New York Legal Awards. He was described as a “legal pioneer, public servant, entrepreneur, and law firm visionary.” Chuck also received a mayoral appointment to the New York City Youth Board, which advises the Department of Youth and Community Development and provides policy recommendations affecting young New Yorkers. In 2008, he was honored with the Frank S. Hogan Association Award for Legal Excellence, which is presented to a prosecutor or former prosecutor who best exemplifies the values of Frank Hogan.
Representative Matters
Representative Matters
- Represented a key official in the DeBlasio administration in investigations into official misconduct conducted by state and federal prosecutors. Investigations concluded with a finding of no illegal activities.
- Represented senior executives of a foreign carrier in a federal antitrust investigation into the “Roll on Roll off” carrier shipping industry.
- Represented a corporate real estate executive in connection with a Department of Justice investigation into corruption and bribery of New York State elected officials.
- Represented the CEO of an international investment bank in connection with an SEC investigation of auction rate securities.
- Represented a senior executive of a Big Pharma company in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.
- Represented an international internet poker site in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation of the internet poker industry.
- Represented a senior executive of an interior construction company in connection with an industry-wide investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
- Represented a target in the New York Attorney General’s “pay-to-play” pension fund investigation.
- Represented executives of a major investment bank in connection with an SEC/U.S. Department of Justice antitrust investigation of the municipal bond industry.
- Represented a consultant to a major international chemical company in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the alleged bribery of a foreign government minister.
- Represented a foreign government minister accused of receiving bribes.
- Represented a political consultant in connection with an investigation of political corruption by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
- Retained by a New York Stock Exchange member firm to conduct an internal investigation into alleged insider trading.
- Retained by a public company to conduct an internal investigation into allegations senior executives received bribes.
- Represented foreign executives in connection with a U.S. Department of Justice antitrust investigation into the auto parts supply chain.
Highlights
Chuck participates actively in many civic and professional organizations. He serves as vice-president of the Board of the Churchill School, Treasurer of the Board of Young Playwrights Inc. and is a member of the Board of Directors of Hale House, organizations that serve the needs of children and young adults. He is a past Board member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers and is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, where he serves on the Criminal Law and Human Rights committees. Chuck is a member of the Board of Directors of the Legal Aid Society and a Director of the Fund for Modern Courts. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Gideon’s Promise and sits on the New York City Youth Board.
Chambers USA included Chuck in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA as a Senior Statesperson for White Collar & Government Investigations. In September 2024, he received the New York Law Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He was described as a “legal pioneer, public servant, entrepreneur, and law firm visionary.”