About Paul Townsend
Paul Townsend is a partner at the Law Office of Jeffrey Lichtman. He joined the firm in July 2026 and focuses on federal investigations, white collar matters, and high-stakes criminal cases in New York and nationwide. A former prosecutor with extensive experience in complex, long-term investigations, he represents individuals and businesses facing some of the most serious allegations in the criminal justice system.
Before entering private practice, Mr. Townsend served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, where he was a member of a specialized unit handling major narcotics and conspiracy prosecutions. In that role, he worked extensively with wiretaps, confidential informants, and multi-agency investigations, developing a deep understanding of how complex cases are built and how to dismantle them.
Education & Career
He earned his juris doctorate from Brooklyn Law School, where he received multiple awards, and is admitted to practice in all New York and New Jersey State Courts as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Districts of New York, and the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
In addition to his zealous advocacy in the courtroom, he has been published several times in the New York Law Journal, the New York Daily News, and the New York Post. Mr. Townsend has also appeared as a recurring expert on various media outlets providing legal commentary relating to nationally televised trials.
Cases and Results
Mr. Townsend has represented clients in a wide range of federal and state matters, with a particular emphasis on pre-indictment advocacy, grand jury investigations, and white-collar cases involving financial crimes and corporate conduct. He regularly advises clients who have been contacted by law enforcement, received subpoenas, or believe they may be targets of an investigation, helping them navigate high-risk situations before charges are filed.
He also serves as trial counsel in serious criminal cases, including complex conspiracies and violent felony prosecutions, and has experience in high-profile matters of national significance. His practice is defined by a strategic, detail-oriented approach grounded in his background as a prosecutor and his experience handling sophisticated investigations.
Mr. Townsend works closely with each client to develop a tailored defense strategy, with a focus on early intervention, careful risk assessment, and decisive advocacy at every stage of a case.