Biography

FEATURED TWICE ON “SUPER LAWYERS” COVER - HONORED AMONG WORLD’S “INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE” - DESCRIBED AS "FIERCE"One of only two lawyers in the U.S. to be selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world (including Nobel prize winners, business leaders), NiaLena is the only criminal defense lawyer ever featured on the Super Lawyers cover in Philadelphia Magazine and also in the Super Lawyers 20th Anniversary Edition Cover and in the Cover Story entitled “The Essence Of Being A Good Lawyer” and was also featured by Super Lawyers in an article entitled "Fierce". She is also honored repeatedly in the "Top 50 Women" and "Top 100" and "Top 100 Philadelphia." Differing from most of her colleagues, NiaLena has tremendous compassion and focuses first on her clients as people. She utilizes a unique all-encompassing approach in an effort to help them during their representation because she realizes that clients who have been caught in the crosshairs of a criminal investigation are typically also dealing with a variety of other serious issues that transcend the confines of their specific legal case. NiaLena is also a graduate from the renowned Wharton School and also has work experience in the international business world, so she is also able to identify with many of the challenges facing white collar crime defendants in a manner that her colleagues cannot. Often taking Robert Frost's "road less traveled by," NiaLena is known for always putting her clients' interests first: that reputation was initially earned when she was the youngest and only female attorney representing a high-ranking organized crime figure in the federal RICO trial of U.S. v. Joseph Merlino and yet did not hesitate to separate her client, Frank Gambino, and go against the old-boys network of other criminal lawyers representing mafia co-defendants. NiaLena was also the youngest and only female attorney representing powerful PA Senator Vincent Fumo.

Practice Areas

• White Collar Crime
• Criminal Law

Education

• Boston University School of Law
  1993
• University of Pennsylvania
  1988

Professional Experience

• Law Office Of NiaLena Caravasos, LLC
  Owner
  2009

Awards

• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2022
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2022
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2022
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  Americas Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys
  2022
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  Americas Top 100 Attorneys
  2022
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2022
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated
  2022
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2022
• Fellowship
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2022
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2022
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2022
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2021
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2021
• Fellowship
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2021
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2021
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated
  2021
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2021
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  Americas Top 100 Attorneys
  2021
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  Americas Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys
  2021
• "Top 100"
  Super Lawyers
  2021
• "Top 100 Philadelphia"
  Super Lawyers
  2021
• "Top 50 Women"
  Super Lawyers
  2021
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2021
• One of Only 2 U.S. Lawyers Selected
  "Inspirational People"
  2021
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2021
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2021
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2021
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2020
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2020
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2020
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2020
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2020
• Selected to become a Fellow
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2020
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2020
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated®
  2020
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2020
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  2020
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®
  2020
• "Top 100"
  Super Lawyers
  2020
• "Top 100 Philadelphia"
  Super Lawyers
  2020
• "Top 50 Women"
  Super Lawyers
  2020
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2020
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2019
• Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2019
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  2019
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2019
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated®
  2019
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2019
• Selected to become a Fellow
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2019
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2019
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2019
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2019
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2019
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2019
• Top 50 Women Super Lawyers
  Super Lawyers
  2019
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®
  2019
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2018
• Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2018
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  2018
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2018
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated®
  2018
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2018
• Selected to become a Fellow
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2018
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2018
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2018
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2018
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2018
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2018
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys®
  2018
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2017
• Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2017
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  2017
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2017
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated®
  2017
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2017
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2017
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2017
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2017
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2017
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2017
• Top 50 Women Super Lawyers
  Super Lawyers
  2017
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2016
• Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2016
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2016
• "Top 50 Women Super Lawyers"
  Super Lawyers
  2016
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2016
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2016
• Best Attorneys Of America Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2016
• Selected to become a Fellow
  Litigation Counsel of America
  2016
• Pennsylvania Law Firm Of The Year in Criminal Law
  Corporate INTL
  2016
• Global Awards Winner -- "PA Criminal Defense & White Collar Crime Attorney of the Year"
  Corporate INTL
  2016
• 10 Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2016
• Top 3 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Philadelphia
  Three Best Rated®
  2016
• "America's Most Honored Professionals"
  American Registry
  2016
• Lifetime Achievement Membership
  America’s Top 100 Attorneys®
  2016
• "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers"
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2016
• Named as a "Top 10" Criminal Defense Attorney in Pennsylvania
  The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  2015
• "Criminal Defense Law Firm of the Year in Pennsylvania"
  Corporate INTL
  2015
• Client Distinction Award
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2015
• "Top 100 Trial Lawyers"
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2015
• "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers"
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2015
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2015
• "10 Best" Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2015
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2015
• "Top 50 Women Super Lawyers"
  Super Lawyers
  2015
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2015
• America's Most Honored Professionals
  American Registry
  2015
• "10 Best" Law Firms in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Lawyers
  2015
• "Best Attorneys Of America" Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2015
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2014
• "Top 100 Trial Lawyers"
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2014
• "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers"
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2014
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2014
• "Top-Rated Legal Leaders"
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2014
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2014
• "Best Attorneys Of America" Lifetime Charter Member
  Rue Ratings
  2014
• "10 Best" Attorneys in Pennsylvania
  American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
  2014
• "Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers"
  American Society of Legal Advocates
  2013
• "Clients' Choice - White Collar Crime"
  Avvo
  2013
• "Clients' Choice - Federal Crime"
  Avvo
  2013
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2013
• "2013 Top Rated Lawyer in White Collar - Criminal Defense"
  American Lawyer Media
  2013
• "2013 Top Rated Lawyer in White Collar - Criminal Defense"
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2013
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2013
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2013
• Featured on 2013 "Super Lawyers" Cover in "Philadelphia Magazine"
  Super Lawyers
  2013
• Spotlighted in Feature Article Entitled "Fierce" (PA Super Lawyers, 2013)
  Super Lawyers
  2013
• "Law Award - PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year"
  Lawyers World
  2013
• "Top-Rated Legal Leaders"
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2013
• Global Award
  M&A International
  2013
• "Top 100 Trial Lawyers"
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2013
• "Law Award - PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year"
  Lawyers World
  2012
• "Leading Lawyer Award - PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year"
  Lawyers World
  2012
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2012
• "Clients' Choice - Federal Crime"
  Avvo
  2012
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2012
• Global Awards Winner -- "PA Criminal Defense & White Collar Crime Attorney of the Year"
  Corporate INTL
  2012
• "Top Rated Lawyers in Criminal Defense: White Collar"
  Corporate Counsel
  2012
• "Top Rated Lawyers in Criminal Defense: White Collar"
  The American Lawyer
  2012
• "Top 100 Trial Lawyers"
  The National Trial Lawyers
  2012
• "Client Distinction Award"
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2012
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2012
• "Top Northeast Lawyer"
  Avvo
  2011
• Global Awards Winner -- "PA Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year"
  Corporate INTL
  2011
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2011
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2011
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2011
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2010
• Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2010
• Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2010
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2010
• Pennsylvania Law Firm Of The Year in Criminal Law
  Corporate Int'l
  2010
• Pennsylvania Law Firm Of The Year in White Collar Crime
  Corporate Int'l
  2010
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2009
• Superb rating (10.0 out of 10)
  Avvo
  2009
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2009
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2008
• "Pennsylvania Super Lawyer" in Criminal Defense
  Super Lawyers
  2008
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2007
• "Pennsylvania Rising Star" in Criminal Defense
  Superlawyers
  2006
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2006
• "Pennsylvania Rising Star" in Criminal Defense
  Superlawyers
  2005
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2005
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2004
• Highest professional rating (AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated)
  Martindale-Hubbell
  2003
• Closing argument on behalf of Frank Gambino in four-month organized crime racketeering federal criminal trial of United States v. Joseph Merlino was subsequently selected among nationwide submissions and spotlighted as featured defense advocate
  Center for Criminal Justice Advocacy
  2003

Associations

• American Society of Legal Advocates
• The College of Physicians of Philadelphia; Section on Medicine, Ethics & the Law
• American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
• Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• The National Trial Lawyers
• Association of Federal Defense Attorneys (AFDA)
• The National Trial Lawyers, Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association

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