Everyone’s an expert

In recent days I’ve been joking with a colleague how, these days, everyone’s an expert. Tiger Woods cheats on his wife, 200 e-mails arrive at Sports Illustrated, offering Biff So-and-So to offer his knowledge on infidelity. A wanna-be terrorist tries to blow up a jet, 200 e-mails arrive at Newsweek, offering Joe So-and-So to offer his knowledge on war. It’s reached a point of pure lunacy. In fact, toward the end of the Clinton Administration—as a test—my dad (who works in executive search) marketed himself as an expert of relationships, just to see if anyone could possibly bite. Well, someone did—he wound up on the local news. It was a good laugh for the entire family.

I bring this up because, earlier today, I received the following e-mail, with the photo above.

Truth is, even if I needed someone like Joseph DiBenedetto, I wouldn’t use him, because there’s nothing uglier than deliberately whoring oneself as an expert for the sole purpose of generating attention (That said, best sentence ever: “He has represented dozens of high-profile clients – including Peter Gotti and a NFL Buffalo Bill player.”) But, in 2010, we’re all experts. Even me!

The e-mail …

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Subject: CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT ON NBA & GUNS – HAS WORKED WITH PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES…

CONTACT:  SARAH XXX, spermutt@XXX, 212 XXX-XXXX.

What is going on with the NBA?  Guns, gambling, standoffs…  Following the investigation of Washington Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas’ gun fight with Javaris Crittenton, I wanted to offer prominent criminal defense attorney, Joseph Dibenedetto, who represents professional athletes to discuss the legal implications of Arenas’ actions and what this means not only for his career but the NBA’s image.

“Gilbert Arenas’ poor judgment will have a devastating effect on his professional career and expose him to a possible jail term,” says DiBenedetto. “The criminal investigation surrounding the events alleged to have occurred in the Wizards’ locker room could be severe depending on whether the guns were licensed and whether or not a weapon was brandished during the dispute. Regardless of the criminal investigation, a suspension and fine is a definite from the commissioners office. But that is the least of his worries. His bad judgment can potentially jeopardize his lucrative contract with the Wizards. If the alleged conduct is proven to be true, the Wizards may void his contract which pays 20 million per year for the next four years.”

Joseph DiBenedetto, born and raised in Queens, New York, is a prominent criminal defense attorney. At 33 years old, DiBenedetto is one of New York City’s fastest rising stars in the criminal defense world.  He has represented dozens of high-profile clients – including Peter Gotti and a NFL Buffalo Bill player – and has successfully advocated for fellow attorneys, law enforcement personnel, union officials, medical professionals, accountants and CEO’s of major corporations at the federal and state level.

The son of two Italian immigrants, DiBenedetto credits his parents’ hardships and language barriers as the driving force in his decision to become a lawyer. He wanted to speak for people unable to speak for themselves.  He began his career in 2001 working with a notable sole practitioner and in 2008 developed a large enough client base to open his own firm.

DiBenedetto received a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s University and his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law. He lives in Queens with his wife and two-year-old son, with their second baby on the way.

Joe has been interviewed and quoted as an industry expert in top tier media outlets, including The New York Times, USA Today, Fox Business, CNN Money, New York Daily News, The Huffington Post, Time.com, and Newsday.

Affiliations: Member of the state bars of New York, New Jersey and Washington D.C.; The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; The Columbian Lawyers Association; and The New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Sample High Profile Cases:

• Represented Peter Gotti in a highly publicized RICO case alleging a conspiracy to murder mafia turncoat Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano.
• Successfully obtained the dismissal of all federal criminal charges for a client alleged to have defrauded Sprint for over one million dollars.
• Represented a former All-American and NFL Buffalo Bill who was charged as the lead defendant in an international counterfeiting ring which purchased imitation Marlboro cigarettes from China and sold them via the internet from an Indian Reservation.