SERPE - Key Persons
Kimberly L. Friedman is an experienced litigator who has handled sensitive and high-profile cases at both federal and state trial and appellate levels and before criminal, regulatory, and administrative tribunals. She has extensive experience representing individuals and businesses in all stages of matters involving white collar criminal defense, regulatory, internal, and cross-agency investigations, and complex federal litigations involving fraud, civil RICO and trademark infringement.
Notably, Kimberly was an integral part of a small team securing civil and criminal dismissals for a former CEO in one of the highest profile cases arising out of the financial crisis of 2008. In addition, Kimberly led a trial team in a financial fraud case resulting in a favorable verdict and has been an invaluable member of other trial teams where she honed her trial skills, including the cross-examination of expert witnesses in complex federal RICO litigations in the Southern District of New York. Kimberly also showcased her trial skills following the 2008 financial crisis by preparing witnesses for testimony before Congress and presenting to the FDIC.
Rounding out her experience, Kimberly also worked on a Special Prosecution Task Force investigating campaign finance violations for the State of New Jersey. This allowed her a unique opportunity to think like a prosecutor, which is a great asset for her clients facing criminal defense charges.
Kimberly is a creative thinker who has fostered strong relationships with both her clients and adversaries. She approaches each case, and each client, with passion, integrity, and her full dedication. She is described as an "out-of-the-box thinker," who brings "unique and creative" strategies to secure "optimal solutions" and favorable results for her clients.
Significantly, prior to joining Serpe LLC, Kimberly spent over a decade at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in its litigation department. She also interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.
With over a decade of experience, Kimberly's thoughtful approach and considered legal strategy have secured victories and creative solutions for clients facing a variety of legal challenges.
Professional Associations
Women's White Collar Defense Association
New York State Bar Association
Federal Bar Council
American Bar Association
New York City Bar Association
Education
J.D., Fordham Law School, cum laude
B.A., New York University, magna cum laude, and Founders Day Scholar Award.
Silvia L. Serpe is a seasoned litigator and an effective criminal and government enforcement defense lawyer who has successfully tried numerous cases in a variety of forums. She is the founder and managing member of Serpe LLC, a WBENC certified women-owned law firm. In 2024, Chambers and Partners recognized her in its Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations guide. Among her accomplishments, she secured a rare win against the SEC in a high-profile case involving insider trading, which was covered by the Wall Street Journal. Based on the strength of the trial evidence, the Commission later affirmed the decision. In its coverage of the Commission's decision, the New York Times noted that the win on appeal "marked a rare loss" for the SEC.
In her civil practice, Silvia aggressively advocates on behalf of her clients. In a case covered by the New York Times, her client was the sole defendant dismissed from a major art fraud case prior to trial. For more press coverage of Silvia's past cases, see News.
Silvia brings over twenty-five years of experience to each of her cases, which includes practicing in both the government and private sector. For five years, she served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. As an AUSA, she represented the United States in a variety of defensive and affirmative civil litigation, including civil rights disputes, statutory and constitutional challenges, employment discrimination, health care fraud, environmental disputes, and complex tax disputes. She also investigated and prosecuted businesses for violations of various federal statutes.
Prior to serving in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Silvia spent several years in private practice. She began her career as a litigator with Davis Polk & Wardwell, where she was a key member of three trial teams. She later honed her trial advocacy and negotiation skills at a small litigation and white-collar criminal defense boutique firm in New York. She also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sidney H. Stein of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
A hands-on advisor and skilled litigator, Silvia is a passionate and dedicated advocate on behalf of her clients.