Roy Black, one of the nation’s most prominent defense attorneys, passed away at the age of 80 on Monday at his home in Coral Gables, Florida.
A Legacy in Criminal Law
“Roy Black was the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history, achieving acquittals over a span of 50 years in some of the most challenging and notorious cases of all time,” said his partner, Howard Srebnick, in an email to the AP.
With a career spanning decades, Black was regarded as the GOAT in Miami legal circles and represented high-profile clients, including Justin Bieber and Jeffrey Epstein. One defense attorney compared him to NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.
Cause of Death
Reports indicate that Roy Black died after battling an undisclosed illness. Despite his health challenges, he continued to work at his law firm right up until his passing.
Tributes and Family Statements
His wife, Lea, expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt statement: “Thank you all for your blessings. We will be announcing details for a tribute and celebration of life in a few weeks.”
Roy Black is survived by Lea, whom he met when she was a juror during the Kennedy Smith trial and who later appeared on Real Housewives of Miami. They have two children, RJ and Nora.
In her statement to PEOPLE, Lea confirmed that he died at home after a lengthy illness. “Thank you all for your blessings,” she wrote on Instagram. “We will be announcing details for a tribute and celebration of life in a few weeks.”
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
