How does a feared and respected New York Defense Attorney get a 14 year sentence to Federal Prison? Robert Simels, a former prosecutor turned defense attorney, shares his journey from fighting corruption in the legal system to representing high-profile clients. He discusses his early life, his transition to law, and his experiences as a prosecutor in New York bringing down police, lawyers, judges, and politicians. This earned him the ire of many in New York. Robert changed teams, and for the next 35 years became the guy who hardly ever lost as a federal criminal defense attorney with high profile cases. Simels also talks about his most notable cases, including representing Henry Hill who became known for the Martin Scorsese movie Goodfellas. Robert Simels shares his experiences as a criminal defense attorney and the tactics he used to win cases. He discusses instances where the government tried to discredit him and his clients, including attempts to subpoena his financial records and allegations of unethical conduct. He shares stories of his high-profile cases, including representing a banker accused of loaning billions of dollars to Saddam Hussein, and a drug kingpin from Guyana. The Guyana case is where Robert's own nightmare begins battling the federal government with his own indictment for being accused of witness tampering. He discusses the tactics used by the government to wear down a jury to secure a conviction. Simels talks about the impact on his family going through the whole ordeal. Robert takes us through his prison journey and how he adapted. He talks about the challenges he faced in prison, including being placed in a dangerous facility and the difficulties of maintaining relationships with family. Robert emphasizes the brokenness of the criminal justice system and the lack of support for rehabilitation and reentry. He now works as a legal consultant and speaker, using his experience to help others navigate the legal system. Show sponsors: White Collar Support Group prisonist.org, Autoplaza Direct "Your Personal Car Concierge."