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Joseph A. Bondy

Joseph A. Bondy

Preeminent Cannabis & Marijuana Lawyer; Complex Criminal Defense Attorney
  • Cannabis & Marijuana Law, White Collar Crime, Criminal Law
  • New York
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Biography

Named one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys and one of the Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers by the American College of Trial Lawyers, Joseph Bondy is an internationally-recognized expert in criminal litigation. With 27 years of superlative trial and federal sentencing experience, Bondy has advised thousands of clients in complex criminal defense, cannabis business and advocacy, and crisis management matters. The New York Times has described him as “eloquent and armed with the serene demeanor of a surgeon,” saying that “his oratorical intensity hovers at the evangelical.” High Times dubbed Bondy “one of the nation’s preeminent cannabis attorneys,” and his outstanding talent for defense strategy has been hailed by such outlets as CNN, Politico, and New York Law Journal, as well as legal analysts from around the world. Bondy’s unique approach to criminal defense and public media strategies were particularly praised on a global level while he represented Lev Parnas, a Guiliani associate connected to the Ukraine scandal leading to Donald Trump’s first impeachment. Bondy and Parnas’s interview on The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC) was its highest audience-drawing episode of all time, earning an Emmy nomination; and a subsequent feature on Anderson Cooper 360 was one of that program’s most-viewed episodes of the year.

Bondy serves on the Board of Directors for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and is a Vice President and Board Member of the Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA). A graduate of Columbia University and Brooklyn Law School, Bondy was a leading member of a team of attorneys on the seminal case Washington v Barr (2019), originally Washington v Sessions (2017), which took action against the Department of Justice with the aim to legalize cannabis federally. He is the founder of In The Know 420, a well-known podcast on cannabis law, policy and industry. Bondy is also a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Education
Brooklyn Law School
J.D. (1994) | Law
Brooklyn Law School Logo
Columbia University
B.A. (1991) | Psychology
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Professional Experience
Creator & Host
In the Know 420
- Current
Faculty, Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP)
Cardozo School of Law
- Current
Founding Principal
Law Offices of Joseph A. Bondy
- Current
Faculty, Trial Practice Institute
National Criminal Defense College (NCDC)
-
Publications
Speaking Engagements
Vaporizing the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
NORML Legal Committee, Annual Meeting
Know Your Rights: Safe Interactions With Law Enforcement
Oaksterdam University, Intensive Cannabis Cultivation Seminar, NYC
Know Your Rights: Safe Interactions With Law Enforcement
Cannabis Cultural Association, Entrepreneurship Empowerment Workshop, NYC
Moderator, Panel: Cannabis in Commercial Real Estate, NYC
Cannabis in Commercial Real Estate, NYC
Medical Marijuana Legal Practice and Ethics
Women's Bar Association of New York
Federal Marijuana Offenses: Vaporizing the Sentencing Guidelines
NORML Key West Legal Seminar
Awards
Superb Rating
Avvo
Top 100 Lawyers, Criminal Defense
National Trial Lawyers College (NTLC)
2016-present
Presidential Commendation
New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2000
America’s Top 100 Attorneys
American College of Trial Lawyers
Top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers
American College of Trial Lawyers
Professional Associations
Cannabis Cultural Association (CCA)
Vice President, Board of Directors
- Current
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Federal Bar Council
Member
- Current
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National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML)
Life Member
- Current
Activities: Board of Directors; Co-Chair, Board of Directors' Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee; Co-Chair Amicus Committee · Feb 2021 - Present
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National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Life Member
- Current
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New York State Bar  # 2681393
Member
- Current
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National Eagle Scout Association (NESA)
Life Member
- Current
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New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Board of Directors
-
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
ID Number: 2681393
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1st Circuit
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2nd Circuit
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3rd Circuit
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4th Circuit
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U.S. District Court, Connecticut
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
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U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Fees
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Contact for details.
Practice Areas
Cannabis & Marijuana Law
Marijuana Business Formation, Medical Marijuana
White Collar Crime
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Internet Crimes
Languages
  • English
Legal Answers
Q. My 19-year-old son has two cases. Bronx and Brooklyn. Each one has a gun charge. Can they sentence twice 4 CRIM POSS W
A: Regrettably, yes. Based on your question, your son is charged separately in two jurisdictions—the Bronx and Brooklyn. The matters are therefore based on separate alleged conduct, and gun counts are charged in each case. If your son is convicted in each jurisdiction, then he will be sentenced separately. That is not to say his defense counsel could not negotiate or seek concurrent sentencing.
Q. Good evening if I am on colors for drug testing in Kentucky and I legally live in my residence in Ohio can I smoke weed
A: I don’t know what it means to “be on colors” in Kentucky, and I am not an attorney in Ohio, however cannabis possession in Ohio is unlawful whether in public or your home—possession of under 100 grams remains a misdemeanor. See, generally, https://norml.org/laws/ohio-penalties-2/
Q. Can you own a gun and use weed
A: No. Possessing a gun and using cannabis, which is still federally illegal, renders you subject to prosecution as an “unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm,” a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Blog
Contact & Map
The Law Offices of Joseph A. Bondy
1776 Broadway
Suite 2000
New York, NY 10019
Telephone: (212) 219-3572
Monday: 9 AM - 7 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Friday: 9 AM - 7 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Notice: Video conferencing available; appointments upon request.