Criminal defense has historically been male-dominated, with the majority of defendants being men. Women have faced numerous challenges to survive and thrive in the industry. Talking about the challenges she faced in this sector, NiaLena Caravasos (Federal Criminal Defense & White Collar Crime Lawyer at the Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC) says, “Shortly after starting in private practice, I was the youngest lawyer and the sole woman in a prominent federal organized crime trial, U.S. v. Joseph Merlino, in Philadelphia. I understood that I’d have to work a thousand times harder due to being a woman.”
In response to this challenge, NiaLena skillfully allowed the other lawyers within the “old boys network” to underestimate her. She strategically and methodically worked to separate her client, Frank Gambino, from the avalanche of evidence and demonstrate why he did not belong with the others. When her maverick strategy unfolded, her male colleagues representing the other mob defendants were shocked and furious that she had broken ranks. Despite their reaction, NiaLena remained focused on protecting her client’s interests. Her closing argument was recognized among nationwide submissions and featured prominently as a defense advocacy by the Center for Criminal Justice, now used as a teaching tool in academic backgrounds.
NiaLena Caravasos’s story is an inspiration to all aspiring lawyers, especially women, who may face similar challenges. It demonstrates the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to your values, regardless of the obstacles.
Early Curiosity and Love for Debate
NiaLena’s passion for law began in her early years, shaped by her natural curiosity and love for debate. From a young age, she enjoyed questioning things and engaging in lively discussions with others. Her interest in the legal world began in sixth grade when she became captivated by the TV show ‘The Paper Chase’. She eagerly sought opportunities to further immerse herself by visiting courthouses after school to observe court proceedings. Interactions with judges fueled her passion for criminal law.
Her fascination with the courtroom was also influenced by her love for performance, which she developed through securing lead roles in school plays. For NiaLena Caravasos, the courtroom became another platform to showcase her skills.
Although NiaLena’s parents never tried to influence her journey, she followed in her mother’s footsteps, who became a lawyer in Greece at a time when few women in the U.S. pursued such careers. Additionally, she inherited her father’s talent for physics and math, earning acceptance to MIT as one of six women. Even though she chose to attend The Wharton School, this scientific background instilled in her a methodical approach to legal practice, where she views each case as an equation to be analyzed and solved.
Today, NiaLena utilizes her diverse background and methodical mindset to advocate for her clients. She exemplifies a unique blend of legal expertise and theatrical flair that distinguishes her in the field of federal criminal defense.
Personalized Legal Representation
As a sole practitioner, NiaLena personally handles all cases at the LAW OFFICE OF NIALENA CARAVASOS, LLC, bringing in other professionals as needed. Unlike many lawyers, she takes a holistic approach, dedicating her time, energy, and compassion to assisting individuals. NiaLena informs potential clients that she is very hands-on and expects a high level of commitment from them. Together, she and her clients collaborate as a team to address their legal matters and explore areas of their lives that may require attention.
For NiaLena, success goes beyond just achieving victories in court; it involves also helping her clients achieve a better quality of life. Sometimes, the main challenge can be the clients themselves. For instance, she represented a businesswoman whose deteriorating marriage led her to engage in criminal activities due to manipulation. Despite the client’s initial denial, NiaLena realized that the key to resolving her issues was within the client herself.
While there were disagreements along the way, they eventually forged a strong partnership through a challenging process. Ultimately, the client expressed gratitude to NiaLena not only for saving her life in court but also for her tough love, which empowered the client to confront and conquer her struggles so that she could go on and save both her marriage and her career.
A Shift in Judicial Discretion
When NiaLena Caravasos first began her practice in Federal Court over twenty-five years ago, the federal sentencing guidelines were rigidly mandatory, leaving judges little room for discretion except in cases of cooperation. Over time, these guidelines evolved to become advisory, allowing judges to consider a broader array of factors, including mental health issues. Witnessing these shifts firsthand, NiaLena perceives a growing momentum towards further amendments in favor of defendants, fostering her optimism that sentencing should prioritize the individual over procedural constraints.
NiaLena Caravasos is also intrigued by the potential of virtual reality and harbors concerns regarding its intersection with existing legal frameworks. The emergence of the Metaverse promises an immersive experience where virtual crimes may elicit real-world emotions akin to physical acts. Yet, current laws primarily address tangible offenses, posing significant challenges in prosecuting virtual crimes. She remains keenly interested in whether legislative changes will adapt to accommodate this evolving landscape.
Adapting to Legal Tech Challenges
“While I would use AI, I would not solely rely upon it.”—quotes NiaLena.
According to NiaLena, the legal industry tends to be slower in adopting technology compared to the business sector. Around fifteen years ago, during a summer in the Greek Islands, she was contacted by a doctor who had been arrested. She took on the case but encountered challenges when requesting to handle the bail hearing remotely. The court was unfamiliar with this concept, leading her to navigate various obstacles to present her arguments from Greece. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that the legal system started incorporating remote technology, though some judges still seem hesitant to embrace it, in her opinion.
NiaLena Caravasos sees Artificial Intelligence (AI) as having positive and negative aspects. On one hand, it can benefit law enforcement by identifying high crime trends and optimizing resource allocation. It can also assist criminal defense attorneys in reviewing large amounts of documents more efficiently. However, she is concerned that crucial information may not always be easily accessible through AI, necessitating human judgment and discretion. To improve efficiency, she electronically screens potential inquiries to determine if a case is appropriate for her or if it should be referred to a colleague. However, some individuals do not regularly check their emails, prompting her paralegal to follow up with phone calls to ensure communication.
Recognizing cybercrime as a significant threat, NiaLena takes extensive precautions to safeguard her files. She uses multiple computers with separate backups, disconnecting them when not in use to prevent infection during potential attacks. Additionally, she employs a real-time protection program to quickly identify and isolate potential threats. She also advises clients to use secure systems for transferring sensitive data instead of relying on direct emails and maintains a professional email account and a securely managed website.
The Influence of Mentorship on NiaLena’s Career
NiaLena Caravasos started her legal career with a strong focus on criminal defense, influenced by mentors and collaborations. After graduating from law school, she worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Lisa Aversa Richette in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas Homicide Program. Judge Richette emphasized the importance of recognizing the humanity of criminal defendants to build trust and bring about positive change.
From before her clerkship started, NiaLena knew that she ultimately wanted to work with F. Emmett Fitzpatrick, a former elected District Attorney of Philadelphia and high-profile criminal trial lawyer. Despite initial hesitation due to practicing as a lone wolf for many years, Fitzpatrick eventually agreed to partner with NiaLena due to her persistence and shared passion for criminal defense. Their partnership, characterized by mentorship akin to the movie “Dead Poets Society”, provided NiaLena with incomparable courtroom skills and confidence.
Years later, while practicing in Federal Court before Judge Jan E. DuBois, NiaLena Caravasos crossed paths with Dr. Robert L. Sadoff, a prominent figure in forensic psychiatry and therapeutic jurisprudence. Recognizing their mutual dedication to addressing mental health issues in the criminal justice system, NiaLena and Dr. Sadoff collaborated on important cases and successfully advocated for clients impacted by mental health challenges.
Throughout her journey, NiaLena Caravasos has remained dedicated to advocating for her clients with unique vision and compassion and expertise, shaped by the mentorship of trailblazers in law and psychiatry. “All three of my mentors have left a lasting impression on me, and their combined teachings represent the lawyer that I am today,” she concludes.
From Valedictory Speech to Legal Career
NiaLena Caravasos shares advice with aspiring women leaders in the legal industry based on her personal experiences. During both her high school graduation Valedictory Speech and her law school Commencement Speech to the Faculty, she drew motivation from Robert Frost’s words: “Two roads diverged in a wood and I, I took the one less traveled by… and that has made all the difference.” Throughout her life, NiaLena has consistently chosen “The Road Not Taken,” often navigating through unchartered waters. This approach has led her to new perspectives and allowed her to forge her unique path. NiaLena encourages young women to embrace uncertainty, have confidence in finding their own path, and be bold in expressing their voices.
