Zuckerman Spaeder LLP’s Morris “Sandy” Weinberg Jr. to Receive ABA’s Charles R. English Award
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP is pleased to announce that Morris “Sandy” Weinberg Jr., managing partner of the firm’s Tampa office, will receive the American Bar Association (ABA) Criminal Justice Section’s Charles R. English Award on August 3, 2012 at the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago. The award recognizes distinguished work in the field of criminal justice by judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and academics. Mr. Weinberg becomes the 13th recipient of the award.
“I nominated Sandy Weinberg for the Charles R. English Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership to the White Collar Crime Committee of the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section, culminating in the August 2011 passage of Resolution 105-D by the ABA House of Delegates, which addresses the crucial issue of Brady disclosures,” said Brian J. Hennigan, former co-chair of the White Collar Crime Committee of the Criminal Justice Section of the ABA. “Not only was Sandy an outstanding co-chair of the White Collar Committee, but after his tenure ended, he demonstrated exemplary leadership as he continued his work on a lengthy report analyzing Brady issues, conferring regularly with defense counsel, prosecutors, and other ABA representatives. His efforts ensured that the final report addressed the material issues and that the resolution could gather support from prosecutors and defense counsel alike. In light of Sandy’s superb leadership, his generous nature, and his outstanding reputation for the highest ethical standards, he is a fitting recipient for the award.”
Mr. Weinberg opened Zuckerman Spaeder’s Tampa office in 1991, having moved to Florida and entered private practice after working for nearly six years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. During his work as an AUSA, he prosecuted numerous white-collar criminal cases and led the prosecution against Marc Rich in one of the country’s most celebrated tax fraud cases; for his work he received the Director’s Award for Superior Performance, as well as an award for outstanding service from the Treasury Department.
Mr. Weinberg has represented clients in federal and state criminal cases, including health care fraud, government contract fraud, securities fraud, and tax fraud cases. In addition to his extensive white collar experience, Mr. Weinberg also counsels clients in parallel civil and regulatory matters, including False Claims Act suits, securities class actions, and SEC actions. His clients have included individuals and corporations in a wide variety of industries, including health care, government contracting, and professional services. He has continued to provide pro bono assistance to those in need throughout his career, including through his work on The Innocence Project and local legal services cases. Mr. Weinberg currently serves as on the ABA Criminal Justice Section Council.
His achievements include leading the defense in one of the largest health care fraud investigations in history, securing the dismissal of charges in one of the only cases brought against a religion, and winning the acquittal of retired Gen. Wallace H. Nutting in a six-month trial for defense contracting fraud. He also won a summary judgment in a federal habeas corpus case securing the release of two men—who had wrongfully sat on Florida's death row for nine years—within 12 hours of their scheduled execution.
“It is an honor to receive the Charles R. English Award and I am humbled at the thought of being included among past recipients of this accolade,” said Mr. Weinberg.
The Charles R. English Award adds to the other notable recognitions Mr. Weinberg has received during his career. In 2009, he received the Hillsborough County Bar Association’s highest honor for criminal practitioners, the “In the Trenches” Award. He has also received numerous industry recognitions, having been ranked in Chambers USA since 2004, being named in International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers in their “Business Crime” category since 2004, and included in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007 in the categories of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and White-Collar Defense, among other honors.
About the Charles R. English Award
The Charles R. English Award is bestowed at the discretion of the ABA’s Criminal Justice Section no more than once a year in recognition of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, academics, and others who have distinguished themselves by their work in the field of criminal justice. Recipients must not only exemplify ethical and professional conduct and have provided exceptional service to the Criminal Justice Section, but also have engaged in activities that have increased the stature and professionalism of those who practice in the criminal justice system. Click here for more information about the Charles R. English Award, the selection criteria and process, and a list of past recipients.