Incoming ABA criminal justice leader vows to defend judicial independence

As veteran white-collar defense attorney Nina Marino prepares to assume a national leadership role with the American Bar Association's Criminal Justice Section, she says protecting judicial independence and strengthening collaboration across the legal profession will be her top priorities.

Marino, co-founder of Kaplan Marino PC, outlined that vision Wednesday during the Los Angeles County Bar Association Criminal Justice Section's inaugural Fireside Chat, held at her firm's Spaulding Square headquarters. Moderated by A. Carley Palmer of Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg LLP, the event drew judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law students for a discussion of Marino's career and her plans as the ABA section's incoming chair.

Marino said she hopes to rebuild relationships among organizations representing prosecutors, criminal defense lawyers, judges and attorneys general.

"Our voice will be stronger that way," she told the Daily Journal, adding that the Criminal Justice Section can provide common ground for organizations with differing viewpoints to develop policy proposals that ultimately shape legislation.

Asked about the profession's greatest challenge, Marino answered without hesitation: preserving the rule of law.

"And judges -- the ability for judges to exercise their discretion without fear of retribution," she said.

Although the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to engage with the ABA, Marino said that would not deter the section from pursuing initiatives to improve the justice system.

"That will not dissuade us from moving forward with initiatives that improve the system of justice and protect the system of justice," she said.

Marino also reflected on her path into criminal defense. After moving from Long Island to Los Angeles at 17 intending to pursue entertainment law, she discovered a passion for criminal practice and later gravitated toward business crime before white-collar defense became a recognized specialty.

She and her husband, Richard D. Kaplan, founded Kaplan Marino PC in 1998, building the firm through court-appointed cases that provided extensive trial experience. Marino closed by emphasizing mentorship, professionalism and the importance of maintaining healthy attorney-client relationships, saying those values will guide her leadership of the ABA Criminal Justice Section.