Roy Black, a towering figure in American criminal defense known for representing high-profile clients like Jeffrey Epstein, William Kennedy Smith, and Justin Bieber, died on July 21, 2025, at his Coral Gables home at age 80 after battling an illness. Black’s law partner, Howard Srebnick, confirmed the news, calling him “the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation.” Black’s career, spanning over five decades, earned him the nickname “The Professor” for his courtroom prowess and teaching at the University of Miami.
Black rose to national prominence in 1991, securing an acquittal for Kennedy Smith in a televised rape trial. His defense of Epstein in 2008, negotiating a controversial non-prosecution deal, drew scrutiny for shielding the financier from federal charges. Black also won acquittals for clients like Rush Limbaugh and Helio Castroneves, and in 2022, he ended the government’s “Varsity Blues” conviction streak by clearing Amid Khoury. Colleagues, including David O. Markus, hailed him as the “GOAT,” comparing him to Michael Jordan for his relentless work ethic.
Born in 1945 in New York, Black graduated from the University of Miami and topped the Florida Bar Exam. He began as a public defender, later founding Black Srebnick, a premier trial firm. His wife, Lea, met during the Kennedy Smith trial as a juror, later appearing on Real Housewives of Miami. They have two children, RJ and Nora. As tributes pour in, the legal world grapples with a question: will Black’s legacy be defined by his victories or the controversies of his clients?
