Roy Black, a renowned Miami-based defense lawyer known for a number of high-profile acquittals for his famous clients during his career, died Tuesday at the age of 80.
The news was confirmed by his legal partner, and first reported by The Associated Press (AP).
Black’s death comes as one of his most notorious clients, Jeffrey Epstein, continues to dominate the news headlines.
NEWS: Roy Black, famed Miami defense attorney who helped secure Jeffrey Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal with then U.S. attorney Alex Acosta, has died at 80 in Coral Gables, FL. pic.twitter.com/FggX8ly4ZQ
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 23, 2025
In 2007, Black played a crucial role in shaping Epstein’s controversial non-prosecution agreement by negotiating terms that shielded his client from federal charges.
Working alongside other high-profile attorneys, Black helped secure broad immunity for Epstein and his unnamed associates while keeping the deal concealed from the victims and the presiding judge.
According to reports, assistant U.S. Attorney Marie Villafana said that Epstein’s lawyers — including Black’s team — objected to notifying victims of the plea agreement at the time.
As a result, only three victims received notice after the deal was signed, and no further notifications were made.
This tactic, led by Black, allowed Epstein to plead to lesser state charges and receive a lenient sentence, avoiding a federal trial altogether.
Then-Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta eventually stepped down after facing backlash for the plea deal he negotiated with Epstein while serving as U.S. attorney in Florida.
In addition to Black’s work with Epstein, he was known for representing many other celebrity clients who were able to get acquittals thanks to Black’s work.
Besides Epstein, Black was widely recognized for his defense in the 1991 William Kennedy Smith rape trial, which gained national attention.
Smith’s 1991 trial became a watershed criminal defense moment when most of it was carried live on national television, famously with a blue dot obscuring the identity of the accuser on the witness stand.
Smith is deeply connected to Democratic Party leadership. He is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and former Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who was implicated but never charged in the alleged assault of a woman in Palm Beach during a night of heavy drinking, according to the AP.
Black also represented pop star Justin Bieber and IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves.
The Bieber case involved allegations of driving a Lamborghini under the influence and drag racing, though the pop star eventually pleaded guilty to lesser charges of misdemeanor careless driving and resisting arrest. Indianapolis 500 winner Castroneves was acquitted in a case involving alleged tax evasion, according to the AP.
Black also previously represented clients such as Rush Limbaugh, “Varsity Blues” defendant Amid Khoury, and Miami police officer William Lozano, who was acquitted in the controversial 1989 shooting of a motorcyclist, according to The Daily Caller.
Black was seen by many as the “greatest of all time” defense attorney, a sentiment echoed by fellow defense attorney David O. Markus, who compared him to NBA legend Michael Jordan.
Markus praised Black for his unmatched work ethic and legal skill, emphasizing his influence on criminal defense.
“For more than 30 years, Roy was my teacher, mentor and friend,” said his law partner, Howard Srebnick. “The loss I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable.”