William C. Costopoulos, Esq. is considered one of the top criminal defense lawyers on the East Coast. As a member of the Investigations and Criminal Defense team, he represents clients in matters related to institutional and individual criminal investigations. Bill has unique experience handling high-profile criminal defense matters including those involving capital offenses, public figures and landmark criminal cases.
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After serving briefly as a Dauphin County Assistant District Attorney, Bill began his career in private practice as a partner, handling many complex and infamous cases. His best-known cases include the defense of Dr. Jay Smith, who was eventually freed from prison by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That case was followed by three books and a CBS mini-series. He defended former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Rolf Larsen in a historic impeachment trial on the state senate floor. In 2002, Bill obtained the acquittal of former City of York Mayor Charles Robinson, charged with murder during the 1969 riots in York, PA.
He represented former Senate Whip Jane C. Orie, and former Speaker of the House, H. William DeWeese on public corruption charges. He also recently represented state Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin before the Judicial Conduct Board.
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Bill is an active lecturer on legal matters, speaking before bar associations, continuing legal education seminars and civic groups. He was formerly an adjunct professor at Dickinson School of Law. He is also an accomplished author of three non-fiction books and three novels. Bill earned a B.A. in political science from Dickinson College, his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law, where he was valedictorian and editor in chief of the law journal and his LL.M. from Harvard University School of Law. Prior to attending college, Bill served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968.
One More Round:
Examining a Career in the Combative Courtrooms of America
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