Joshua Lax, Esq.

Joshua is a partner in the Civil Rights Practice. He relies on his experience in almost 40 trials, including 31 federal civil rights trials, and extensive experience in civil and criminal cases, to help victims of constitutional violations, discrimination, abuse of power, corporate greed, and human trafficking get justice.

Joshua spent over a decade as an attorney at the New York City Law Department, where he was a member of the Special Federal Litigation Division, which the New York Times described as “an elite team in the city’s Law Department that deals with some of the most important and politically sensitive cases the city has to fight.” True to this description, Joshua was appointed senior counsel and member of the trial team, and handled some of the most high-profile cases against the City of New York, for police involved shootings, excessive force, wrongful convictions, false arrest, malicious prosecution, fabrication of evidence, First Amendment claims, and unconstitutional policies and practices. In this role, he tried thirty-one federal civil jury trials, and consulted on many more. Joshua developed extensive experience in civil rights, constitutional law, municipal affairs, and law enforcement practices and procedures. In recognition of his work, Joshua received the 2017 Municipal Affairs Award from the New York City Bar Association.

Joshua started his career at a prominent criminal defense firm in Northern New Jersey, where he became a respected defense attorney for Driving While Intoxicated cases. In addition, he represented criminal defendants and juveniles in numerous criminal cases. More recently, Joshua represented the accused in several federal criminal prosecutions.

In addition to his experience in the criminal justice system, Joshua represented whistleblowers and other plaintiffs in complex civil litigation involving securities and Medicaid/Medicare fraud. In particular, Joshua served as counsel in a False Claims Act cases against international banks for fraud in setting municipal bond interest rates and a major pharmacy chain for fraudulent billing practices, furthering Joshua’s commitment to fighting abuse by the powerful and privileged.

In addition to his work in the Courtroom, Joshua is devoted to educating the next generation of litigators. He is an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School where he teaches Fundamental Lawyering Skills, he serves as a lecturer and instructor for the Federal Bar Council’s Access to Counsel trial and deposition training programs, and the New York City Law Department’s trial advocacy training program. Joshua is a Team Manager in the Federal Bar Council’s Inn of Court and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Verona Public Library Foundation.

Finally, Joshua is an internationally renowned fountain pen expert.