Sher Tremonte LLP Welcomes Former Lead Federal Defender Deirdre von Dornum as Partner
Sher Tremonte LLP announced today that Deirdre von Dornum, a leading criminal defense lawyer, has joined the firm as a partner. Von Dornum’s unparalleled experience as a public defender and advocate for prisoners’ rights positions her to expand the firm’s white collar, indigent defense, civil rights, and pro bono practices. She joins Sher Tremonte at a time when the firm has taken on a prominent role as a defender of free speech and the rule of law in the face of unprecedented threats from the federal government.
Von Dornum spent 23 years with the Federal Defenders of New York where she represented hundreds of people charged with federal crimes and supervised the representation of thousands more as Attorney-in-Charge for the Eastern District of New York. She has won numerous acquittals and appellate victories across a range of charges, including terrorism, sex trafficking, threats to kill the President, seditious conspiracy, obstruction of justice, mail, wire and healthcare fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, firearms, racketeering, robbery, kidnapping, piracy, and a variety of misdemeanors and petty offenses. Her advocacy extends beyond individual representations, working with pro bono counsel for the past five years on a civil lawsuit against the Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide crucial access to counsel for pre-trial detainees at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
“We are thrilled to have Deirdre join our firm,” said partner and co-founder Michael Tremonte. “She has rightly earned a reputation as one of the finest criminal defense lawyers in New York City and a champion for the rights of the poor and marginalized.”
“Deirdre is a rock star in the federal criminal defense community,” said partner and co-founder Justin M. Sher. “She adds to our ability to take on the toughest trials and the most challenging representations.”
“If you are facing down the awesome power of the federal government, you want Deirdre in your corner,” said partner and pro bono coordinator Noam Biale. “Our firm’s mission has always been to provide vigorous representation to our clients—no matter their wealth, popularity, or power—and we will not back down from that fight.”
“Sher Tremonte is not only one of the best litigation boutiques for white collar and commercial litigation; it has established itself as a leading defender of the Constitution at a time when our democracy faces unprecedented threats,” said von Dornum. “I left Federal Defenders and joined Sher Tremonte so I could affirmatively sue to enforce the civil and constitutional rights of individuals and organizations, while representing individuals across the country charged with criminal or immigration offenses based on their political stance or identity.”
Prior to her roles at Federal Defenders, von Dornum completed three judicial clerkships including on the U.S. Supreme Court with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her leadership and success in the field of criminal justice have earned her numerous awards and honors, including a 2025 Commendation from the Justice Institute for her commitment to civic education, the Norman S. Ostrow Award from the New York Council of Defense Lawyers, the 2019 Champion of the Community Award from Gideon’s Promise, and the 2015 Changemaker Award from Atlas DIY. Von Dornum holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was the top woman in her class, as well as an M.A. from Princeton University and a B.A. from University of California at Los Angeles.