Roy Black, a prominent criminal defense attorney known for representing high-profile clients like Jeffrey Epstein, passed away on Monday at the age of 80, as reported by various sources.
His partner, Howard Slebnick, confirmed the news, describing Black as “probably the biggest criminal lawyer of our generation in American history.” Slebnick also highlighted Black’s remarkable track record of securing acquittals in some of the most notorious cases over his 50-year career.
Reports indicate that Black died at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, following a battle with illness.
“For over 30 years, Roy has been my teacher, mentor, and friend,” Slebnick said in an email. “The loss I feel is immeasurable, both personally and professionally.”
Lee Black, an alum of “The Real Housewives of Miami,” also confirmed his passing. “Thank you for the blessing,” she told a magazine. “We will be releasing details of our life’s respect and celebration in a few weeks.”
Black represented a diverse array of clients, including singer Justin Bieber, race car driver Helio Castroneves, and commentator Rush Limbaugh. One of his notable cases was securing an acquittal for William Kennedy Smith in 1991; Smith is related to former President John F. Kennedy.
Black is perhaps best known for his representation of Epstein, who made headlines due to a controversial legal agreement that resulted in just 13 months in prison for serious charges. Epstein, who faced allegations of heading sex trafficking rings, pleaded guilty to two counts of prostitution but received a light sentence under the deal.
Recently, Epstein’s case has gained renewed attention amid criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of related files. Despite efforts to quell speculation, there’s growing demand for transparency from the administration, even among some of Trump’s supporters.
