Our History
Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello Celebrates 50 Years
Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello P.C. emerged in the 1970s, when major law firms lacked dedicated white collar defense practices, often avoided sensitive criminal and regulatory matters, and few firms of its kind existed. Today, despite the growth of white collar groups at large firms, the firm remains distinct in handling the full spectrum of complex matters, including criminal defense, regulatory enforcement, cross-border investigations, complex civil litigation, trial work, and crisis management for corporations and individuals.
The practice traces its roots to 1972 and its predecessor, Martin & Obermaier, founded by former government colleagues John Martin and Otto Obermaier. In 1973, Robert G. Morvillo — former head of the Securities Fraud Unit and Chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York — joined, forming Martin, Obermaier, and Morvillo. As federal enforcement against corporate and financial crime expanded, white collar defense became the firm’s core focus.
In 1979, Elkan Abramowitz joined after serving as Chief of the Criminal Division in the Southern District of New York, as well as Assistant Deputy Mayor for the City of New York and Special Counsel to the U.S. House Select Committee on Crime, further strengthening the firm’s roster of former prosecutors. Around the same time, John Martin left private practice for public service, later serving as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and then as a U.S. District Judge.
The practice expanded with leading government lawyers. Lawrence Iason, former Assistant Special Prosecutor with the Watergate Special Prosecution Force and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, became a partner in 1985. After serving as head of the SEC’s New York office, he returned in 1991, strengthening the firm’s securities enforcement and regulatory practice.
In 1989, Paul Grand joined after serving as Chief of the Securities Fraud Unit at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and as a founding partner of Grand & Ostrow, deepening the firm’s expertise in insider trading and securities fraud from both prosecution and defense perspectives.
In 2002, Robert J. Anello became name partner, reflecting more than two decades at the firm after joining as an associate in 1980. His practice spans white collar defense, complex civil litigation, and internal investigations. The firm became Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason Anello P.C.
In 2011, the firm mourned the passing of Robert G. Morvillo, whose leadership helped define its identity and legacy.
For more than five decades, the firm has been defined by rigorous advocacy, strategic judgment, discretion, and uncompromising standards. While some matters have drawn public attention, many of its most consequential successes remain confidential — reflecting its role as trusted counsel in clients’ most sensitive matters, in court and behind closed doors.