GREENSPUN SHAPIRO PC - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Criminal Defense Attorney
Born and raised in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, Anastasia Kranias graduated from the University of Maryland in College Park with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology and Communication. Anastasia later graduated from Regent University School of Law, where she was a member of and competition coordinator for her school's Moot Court Board. While in law school, Anastasia studied International Human Rights at the University of Strasbourg in France, under the direction of former US Attorney General John Ashcroft.
Since graduating from law school, Anastasia has gained experience in a variety of areas of law, ranging from real estate transactions and traffic law to criminal and domestic law in both Virginia and Maryland, where she worked as a volunteer Court Appointed Advocate for Children.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Criminal Defense Attorney
- Visiting Professor of Law at Washington
Jonathan Shapiro graduated from Northwestern University in 1971 and from American University, Washington College of Law in 1974. He has been litigating cases ever since, with a three-year break to serve as a Clinical Instructor at the Criminal Justice Clinic, and as Director of the Institutionalized Persons Clinic at Washington College of Law. In 2001, he was honored by his law school with the Peter Cicchino Alumni Award for "Outstanding Advocacy in the Public Interest Within the United States," as a distinguished criminal defense attorney.
Jon has handled countless criminal cases in the state and federal courts, including conspiracies and white-collar crimes, and has extensive appellate experience. He has also litigated a number of civil rights cases involving jails, prisons and institutions for the mentally disabled. Along with his partner Peter Greenspun, he handled the defense of John Muhammad, the accused "Beltway Sniper." Jon also handled the defense of Jim Nicholson, a CIA Station Chief, and of Brian Regan, an NSA employee, both charged with espionage.
Jon has been listed for years in the Best Lawyers in America for White-Collar and Non-White-Collar Criminal Defense. He is frequently listed in Washingtonian Magazine's Top Lawyers, most recently in 2011 for the best criminal defenders in the Washington DC area. Also, he is always included in The Washington Post Magazine's yearly listing of The Washington DC Area's Best Lawyers. Jon was the long-time chair of the Criminal Law Committee of the Alexandria Bar Association and is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars. He was selected as a Faculty Member for the Virginia State Bar Professionalism course. Jon handles complex criminal law at the trial and appellate levels in the state and federal courts.
Jon has been a Visiting Professor of Law at Washington and Lee University Law School in Lexington, Virginia, for the past five years. Washington and Lee is rated 28th on the U.S. News and World Report of Best Law Schools in the nation. At W and L, Jon teaches Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, and an advanced criminal law practicum. He is a frequent speaker on criminal law issues at school symposia, and recently organized a two-day symposium on false confessions. Jon was recently recognized with the Jessine A. Monaghan Fellowship for Experiential Education. Jon and his colleagues collaborated to redesign their Evidence courses to explore the theory and practice of the law of evidence through the application of the rules to simulated legal controversies.
Jonathan Shapiro was also recently honored by his alma mater American University Washington College of Law (WCL) with the inaugural Elliott Milstein Award for Professional Excellence. The award goes to graduates of WCL's clinical program "whose career reflects core principles of the Clinical Program, including client-centeredness, reflective lawyering, seeking justice, and a commitment to training law students and junior lawyers."
Jonathan Shapiro (2001): Mr. Shapiro has distinguished himself as a criminal defense attorney, particularly in capital punishment cases, some of which he has pursued all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Shapiro made the news when he was knocked unconscious by one of his clients in court, but nonetheless sought to remain counsel.
Born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, Kim began working at Greenspun Shapiro PC as a Legal Assistant in 2008. Prior to working at Greenspun Shapiro, Kim worked at the Fairfax County Circuit Court for 17 years. She attended and graduated from Manassas Park High School. Kim raised a daughter, Courtney, who is a customer service representative with a local business and a son, Donald, who is a Deputy Sheriff with Fairfax County. Kim enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two grandsons.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Criminal Defense Attorney
Born and raised in Fairfax, Virginia, Liza Yang is a graduate of the Fairfax County Public School system. She then went on to study Spanish and Journalism at Wake Forest University before returning home and working as the Office Manager at Greenspun Shapiro for more than ten years. In that position, Liza learned not only the administrative side of Greenspun Shapiro, but she also gained experience speaking with clients, learning about the court system, and helping with casework as needed.
Yearning for additional challenges and fulfillment, Liza decided to apply for law school. She attended George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School as a Mason Scholar. During her three years at George Mason, Liza participated in multiple Trial Advocacy competitions. Her trial team brought George Mason its first trial advocacy national championship when Liza and her team won the Quinnipiac National Criminal Justice Trial Advocacy Competition.
Upon graduating from law school, Liza was the recipient of the Virginia Trial Lawyers' Association Student Advocacy Award, given to one student at each Virginia law school who is going to take the Virginia bar exam and who best exemplifies the attributes of an effective trial advocate, including a dedication to preserving the rights of individuals and excellence in trial skills.
In law school, Liza was lucky enough to have the opportunity to study Constitutional Law under a Supreme Court Justice during a summer study abroad program. She also served on the student boards of the Trial Advocacy team and Pro Bono Society.
Committed to giving back to her community, and an avid supporter of breaking down the stigma of mental illness, Liza is also an active volunteer and past Board Member with the National Alliance on Mental Illness Northern Virginia. She has helped lead multiple Greenspun Shapiro fundraisers that have raised thousands of dollars for this important organization.
Liza is enjoying her new role as an Associate Attorney at Greenspun Shapiro, zealously representing individuals on their criminal, traffic, and civil cases throughout the Northern Virginia courts. When she's not in court, Liza can be found with her Ohio State-loving husband and their dog at their Fairfax County home, or spending time with her parents, siblings, and adorable nephew and niece.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Criminal Defense Attorney
A native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Peter Greenspun graduated from LaSalle College with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1975 and obtained his Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law in 1978.
Widely considered by his peers as an expert litigator, Peter has advocated for the rights of his clients in criminal and civil matters ranging from the simplest to the most complex. With over 30 years of experience trying countless cases, Peter has obtained exceptional results in local, state, and federal trial and appellate courts.
Since 1997 Peter has repeatedly been recognized by the Washingtonian Magazine as being among the best lawyers in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. In December 2011, he was listed as the top Virginia lawyer. Peter has also been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 1999 for white-collar and non-white-collar criminal defense, and has been listed by Virginia Business as a member of "The Legal Elite." In recognition of his commitment to high ethical and professional standards, Peter has been awarded the prestigious AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has received Martindale-Hubbell's Client Distinction Award.
Peter has tried numerous high-profile, unusual, and complex cases throughout his career. He is also a regular speaker and lecturer on trial technique and strategy at Continuing Legal Education (CLE) seminars throughout Virginia and is a past President of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Fairfax Bar Association, and the Fairfax Bar Foundation. It is rumored that Peter can be seen walking in Fairfax City with his office dog, a Portuguese Water Dog named Rockie.
Peter Greenspun has been continually selected as a Top 100 Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. The National Trial Lawyers is a professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff or criminal defense trial lawyers. This national organization provides networking opportunities, advocacy training, and the highest quality educational programs for trial lawyers.
Attorney Peter Greenspun along with the other Fellows are nominated confidentially by their peers.
• Power Players: "They're Just People" If your legal career is on the line, Peter Greenspun is the man to call (2010)