Nina Marino

Practice Areas

WHITE-COLLAR DEFENSE

PUBLIC CORRUPTION

TAX FRAUD

INTERNATIONAL EXTRADITION

SENTENCING

Career

Nina Marino co-founded Kaplan Marino, PC with partner Richard Kaplan in 1998 to create a platform for the firm's then-burgeoning white-collar practice. Since then, Nina has devoted her practice exclusively to white-collar and complex criminal defense achieving global recognition for her successful representation of individuals. Nina Marino recognized by Chambers USA, says, “Nina Marino has cultivated an excellent reputation in the market for her skillful representation of senior executives in white-collar criminal litigation.” Forbes Advisor says, “Nina Marino is frequently recognized as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in California.” Clients say, "she is dogged in getting to the bottom of things, but she's smart and flexible. She is very focused on her clients' interests, and she is really top-notch.”

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section

First Vice Chair, 2024-Present

Vice Chair at Large, 2022-2024

Special Advisor to Council, 2021-2022

Council Member, 2019-2021

Board Member, Standards Committee, 2017 – Present

Co-Chair Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2012-Present

Section Officers Conference Liaison, Standing Committee on Continuing Legal Education, 2016-2017 Founder and Co-Chair, Women in White-Collar Subcommittee, 2013–2019

Co-Executive Director, Communication, Membership and Services Division, 2012–2019

Vice Chair at Large, 2009–2011

Council Member, 2005–2008

Co-Chair, Solo and Small Firm Committee, 2007 – 2008

Co-Chair, Defense Function Committee, 2001 – 2002

U.S. Attorney Liaison, White-Collar Crime Committee, West Coast Chapter, 2000 – 2001

Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles

Founder and Chairperson, Criminal Justice Section, 1997 –2019

Board of Governors 1996 – 2019

Women’s White-Collar Defense Association

Founder and City Leader, Los Angeles, 2013 – Present

C5LA, College In Five

Executive Board of Directors, Los Angeles, 2015 – Present

Personal

With over three decades of advocacy for women’s issues, Nina has significantly contributed to reshaping the gender composition of the ABA’s educational programming and frequently speaks at domestic and international forums. She regularly authors articles and treatises on criminal law and international extradition, including a recent chapter in International Litigation Strategies and Practice (Third Edition) entitled International Extradition.

Nina is an active member of the planning committee for the National Institute on White Collar Crime, the premier conference in the U.S. where the Department of Justice announces its annual policies on white-collar crime. She also co-chairs the London White Collar Crime Institute and regularly speaks at the Southeast White Collar Crime Conference in Braselton, Georgia. Nina serves on the Executive Board of C5LA, a nonprofit focused on creating college pathways for underserved youth. She is a member of the Women’s Leadership Council in Los Angeles and serves on the faculty for the Women in Leadership Advisory Board at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Work Highlights

Stunning Defeat for United States Attorney's Office

In a stunning defeat for the United States Attorney’s Office, after a ten-week jury trial where the government called 41 witnesses to the stand, it took less than twelve hours for jurors to return not guilty verdicts on all counts for a CEO of a prominent engineering firm in Honolulu. The United States Attorney’s Office sought to portray campaign donations to the Honolulu prosecutor’s office as bribes. Nina Marino, argued to the contrary, persuasively demonstrating day after day the lack of evidence to substantiate the charges and that the campaign donations were just that: campaign donations and not bribes.

Dismissal of Workers Compensation Fraud Case

Secured the complete dismissal of workers comp fraud case filed against an attorney charged in an illegal referral and kickbacks scheme. Over the course of more than six years, Marino challenged by demurrer each charging instrument and succeeded, leaving the District Attorney with little choice other than to recharge using a different mechanism. After the final dismissal of the case, the Court ordered the dismissal with prejudice, foreclosing the District Attorney the ability to recharge. The District Attorney did not appeal the decision.

Probation Granted for 46 Counts of Misappropriation

Achieved Probation for doctor charged with 46 counts of misappropriation of public funds, embezzlement, and conflict of interest in relation to his management of two hospitals in Central California. Marino was the fourth attorney to represent the client. After intensive negotiations lasting over several months, Marino negotiated a probationary sentence.

Probation Granted for 6 Year Tax Evasion

Probation granted for husband and wife who failed to file and pay taxes for more than 6 years despite living a lavish lifestyle and receiving countless notices. Despite the losses more than $2.5M, 6 criminal felony charges and an aggravated white collar crime sentencing enhancement which mandates a state prison term, Marino negotiated probationary sentences for both clients, with the wife pleading only to a misdemeanor.

Publications

'Wanted by Interpol,' ABA Criminal Justice Magazine

'The Dark Side of Bitcoin,' Los Angeles Lawyer

'Chapter 16: International Extradition, International Practitioner's Deskbook Series: International Litigation Strategies and Practice, 3rd Edition,' American Bar Association

'Change is Coming,' Daily Journal

'Defending Against International Extradition from the United States,' NACDL

Opioid Litigation in America – The Blame Game

Opioid Trials and Brady Rights

Piling On: Unresolved Issues Regarding Voluminous Discovery

Awards