A Washington lawyer facing reputation-ruining allegations? Better call criminal defender Peter Greenspun.
The name partner at Virginia’s Greenspun Shapiro Davis & Leary is representing Joshua Gessler, a McLean attorney accused of paying for sex with a 15-year-old girl and photographing the act. Gessler had been an associate in the corporate-and-securities practice in the Tysons Corner office of Arnold & Porter, one of Washington’s most respected law firms. He was listed on the firm’s Web site until late August, when news of his arrest broke.
The matter must feel like déjà vu for Greenspun, who didn’t return requests for comment. More than a decade ago, he represented Andrew Lewis Singer—previously a lawyer at AOL’s Dulles headquarters—who was convicted of sexually molesting an 11-year-old boy. And in 2007 Greenspun defended Charles Rust-Tierney, a DC public defender and former president of the Virginia American Civil Liberties Union who got seven years in prison for buying child pornography. In both cases, Greenspun’s clients avoided the maximum sentences.
During his more than 30-year legal career, Greenspun has made his mark as one of the best defenders of murderers—including DC sniper John Muhammad—and others accused of heinous crimes.
“The people I’ve represented over the years are really just people,” Greenspun has said. “They’re people that walk their dogs. They’re people that you enjoy a conversation with.”
This article first appeared in the October 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.
Power Players: "They’re Just People"
If your legal career is on the line, Peter Greenspun is the man to call
A Washington lawyer facing reputation-ruining allegations? Better call criminal defender Peter Greenspun.
The name partner at Virginia’s Greenspun Shapiro Davis & Leary is representing Joshua Gessler, a McLean attorney accused of paying for sex with a 15-year-old girl and photographing the act. Gessler had been an associate in the corporate-and-securities practice in the Tysons Corner office of Arnold & Porter, one of Washington’s most respected law firms. He was listed on the firm’s Web site until late August, when news of his arrest broke.
The matter must feel like déjà vu for Greenspun, who didn’t return requests for comment. More than a decade ago, he represented Andrew Lewis Singer—previously a lawyer at AOL’s Dulles headquarters—who was convicted of sexually molesting an 11-year-old boy. And in 2007 Greenspun defended Charles Rust-Tierney, a DC public defender and former president of the Virginia American Civil Liberties Union who got seven years in prison for buying child pornography. In both cases, Greenspun’s clients avoided the maximum sentences.
During his more than 30-year legal career, Greenspun has made his mark as one of the best defenders of murderers—including DC sniper John Muhammad—and others accused of heinous crimes.
“The people I’ve represented over the years are really just people,” Greenspun has said. “They’re people that walk their dogs. They’re people that you enjoy a conversation with.”
This article first appeared in the October 2010 issue of The Washingtonian.
Subscribe to Washingtonian
Follow Washingtonian on Twitter
More>> Capital Comment Blog | News & Politics | Party Photos
Marisa M. Kashino joined Washingtonian in 2009 and was a senior editor until 2022.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Eat, Drink, Shop, Do, and Know
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2024
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Washingtonian Magazine
August: Great Festivals & Fairs
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Best of Washington 2024: Where to Eat and Drink
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Do
Best of Washington 2024: Where to Shop
Best of Washington 2024: Things to Know
More from News & Politics
Mubadala Citi Open 2024 Is Putting Mics on Players and Hosting Michelin-Star Chefs
Why Is Babydog in All These Famous Artworks?
Varsity Pickleball Will Come to All Montgomery County High Schools This Fall
Can Any Town in the US Dethrone Arlington as the Nation’s Fittest Place?
I Saw “Twisters” in 4DX. I Didn’t Realize It Was a Comedy.
A Gen-Zer’s Guide to Kamala Harris Memes
MAP: How to Get Around DC During Benjamin Netanyahu’s Visit This Week
Olympics 2024: These DC-Area Athletes Will Compete in Paris