Joshua Colangelo-Bryan
PEOPLE

Joshua Colangelo-Bryan

Of Counsel
colangelo.joshua@dorsey.com

Overview

JOSHUA REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN THE AREAS OF WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND COMPLEX CIVIL LITIGATION.

Joshua has represented clients in a variety of criminal matters, including in relation to alleged public corruption, tax fraud, obstruction of justice and embezzlement. He handles complex civil cases, including commercial disputes, financial-services matters, and employment-related claims. Joshua also regularly conducts internal investigations. Additionally, he devotes a substantial portion of his practice to pro bono matters, including the representation of Guantanamo Bay detainees in habeas proceedings, the representation of victims of an attack by Turkish security personnel in Washington, D.C., and as a consultant to Human Rights Watch.

Joshua has provided commentary regarding national security, human rights and criminal law matters to various media outlets, including CNN, Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, BBC World News, NPR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The New Yorker, New York Magazine, and Time. He has drafted op-eds for publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Guardian, Politico, and The Miami Herald. He has presented on these topics as well, including at the U.S. Congress, the U.K. House of Lords, and the United Nations

Prior to working for Dorsey, Joshua served with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, where he was involved in the prosecution of criminal cases involving war crimes and terrorism. He has also done post-conflict humanitarian aid work in the Balkans.

Education & Admissions

University of Washington School of Law

Oberlin College

Admissions

  • New York
  • U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York and Western District of Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Experience

Representative Litigation

Criminal Representations 

Represented:

  • Former New York State Senate majority leader in U.S. v. Sampson (E.D.N.Y.), securing acquittals on six of nine counts at trial.
  • Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network in federal investigations, as publicly reported. All matters resolved.
  • New York City contractor during federal and local investigations into Mayor de Blasio’s political fundraising. Secured immunity for CEO. No charges brought.
  • Major hospital system after CEO was indicted in federal court for political corruption. No charges brought against hospital system or other hospital personnel.
  • Individual client who pled guilty to charges in Canada and two federal courts in U.S. Secured substantially below-Guidelines sentences in U.S. to be served in Canada concurrently with Canadian sentence.
  • Subject in federal investigation of illegal practices at prominent medical facility. Secured non-prosecution agreement for client.
  • Victims in federal investigation into improper police targeting of Hispanics in East Haven, Connecticut that resulted in numerous convictions. Ensured clients suffered no adverse immigration consequences.
  • Owner and employees of electronics business charged with trafficking in stolen goods. Case resolved on pleas to non-criminal violations.
  • Individual who managed diamond business at time of $40 million theft. No charges brought.

Investigations

  • Conducted internal investigations into issues such as alleged employee theft, physical abuse of children at residential treatment facility, improper testing of pharmaceuticals, potential False Claims Act violations, and financial malfeasance.
  • Conducted investigations regarding human rights abuses, including in Yemen, Kosovo, Bahrain, and Guantanamo Bay.

Representative Litigation

  • Polanco v. Dom. Rep. et al., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 220623 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 11, 2023). Secured dismissal of claims against Dominican Republic brought by failed office seeker who complained that his bribes to political party did not secure seat in Dominican legislature.
  • Hindu American Foundation v. Rasheed Ahmed et al., 646 F. Supp. 3d 78 (D.D.C. 2022). Secured dismissal of politically motivated defamation lawsuit filed against executive director of Indian American Muslim Council by ideological opponents.
  • Willis Re Inc. v. Herriott, 21-CV-487 (S.D.N.Y. 2021)Secured denial of motion for contempt of court following evidentiary hearing in action based on violations of restrictive covenants.
  • Recovery Fund II USA LLC v. Rabobank, N.A., et al., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17395; 2020 WL 509166 (D. Del. Jan. 31, 2020) (counsel for defendants, Bankruptcy Management Solutions, Inc., the largest provider of software services to Chapter 7 trustees, and its CEO, in dismissing, with prejudice, plaintiff’s class action complaint alleging RICO, fraud, and numerous other claims); 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94065; 2020 WL 2784080 (D. Del. May 29, 2020) (awarding defendants attorneys’ fees as a sanction against plaintiff for filing a frivolous claim).
  • Defended boutique New York City law firm in arbitration brought by formerly associated attorney, seeking nearly $20 million in referral fees.  After 11 days of hearings and extensive post-hearing briefing, all claims against the firm were dismissed in reasoned decision issued in July 2018. Affirmed by Queller, Fisher, Washor, Fuchs & Kool, LLP v. Queller, 2018 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 202579 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 15, 2018).
  • Global Access Inv. Advisor LLC v. Lopes, et al., 2017 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 2150 (Supreme Court, New York County May 31, 2017). Secured dismissal, after week-long jurisdictional hearing, of claims for aiding and abetting conversion against off-shore bank.
  • Penguin Group (USA) Inc. v. Time/Warner Retail Sales & Marketing Services, Inc., 979 N.Y.S. 2d 69 (1st Dep't 2014). Counsel to Penguin in action yielding $3 million judgment in Penguin’s favor for breach of distribution agreement.
  • Peter Lampack Agency, Inc. v. Martha Grimes and Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 958 N.Y.S.2d 310 (Supreme Court, New York County 2010), aff’d, 93 A.D.3d 430 (1st Dep’t 2012). Counsel to Penguin in context of contract and tort claims brought by author’s agent, dismissed on summary judgment.
  • Figueiredo Ferraz E Engenharia de Projeto Ltda. v. Republic of Peru, 665 F.3d 384 (2d Cir. 2011). Defended Peru in action to enforce $21 million Peruvian arbitral award in New York. The Second Circuit, hearing interlocutory appeal from district court’s denial of motion to dismiss, reversed and remanded with directions to dismiss action on forum non conveniens grounds.
  • Papay v. Haselhuhn, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 112272 (S.D.N.Y. 2010). Secured dismissal of antitrust and constitutional claims against administrator of medical licensing tests.
  • Sidney v. Wilson, 03 Civ. 830 (S.D.N.Y. 2009). Prevailed in four-day jury trial on behalf of inmate who brought 8th Amendment claim for excessive force against correctional officer.
  • Rosales v. Transamerica Merchant International (Supreme Court, New York County 2008). Represented Chilean investment firm and principal alleged to have made unauthorized, speculative investments that led to multi-million dollar losses. After six-day trial, all claims were dismissed.
  • Willis Re Inc. v. John B. Collins Associates, 29 A.D.3d 489 (1st Dep’t 2006). Won summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, for defendant in action for breach of restrictive covenant.
  • Parkwood Partners, L.P. v. Sovereign Partners, L.P., AAA Case No. 13 168 Y 00045 04 (2005). Successfully represented hedge fund in five-day arbitration involving claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty brought by second hedge fund.
  • Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. v. EnviroPower, LLC (Supreme Court, New York County 2004). Secured judgment for Bear Stearns in suit for failure to pay “break-up fees.”
  • Keeney v. Larkin, 306 F. Supp. 2d 522 (D. Md. 2003), aff’d, 102 Fed. Appx. 787 (4th Cir. 2004). Prevailed on motion to dismiss a class action securities fraud complaint that alleged – in the court’s words – "a veritable smorgasbord of affirmative misrepresentations of, and failures to disclose, material facts."
  • McGowan v. Merrill Lynch, et al., 2003 WL 271354 (N.A.S.D.).  Successfully represented respondents in ten-day arbitration involving claims for “financial suicide,” unsuitability, failure to supervise and churning.
  • Kunzler v. Canon USA, Inc., 257 F. Supp. 2d 574 (E.D.N.Y. 2003). Won summary judgment on claims for retaliatory discharge.

News & Resources

Articles

Protecting Against Business Email Scams and Recovering Funds Wired to the United States
Recent Trends in Wire Fraud Scams: Uncovering and Tackling the Latest Tactics in Hong Kong
Bahrain: Death Sentences Follow Torture, Sham Trials, Human Rights Watch
Contributing author, "Rupture and Reckoning: Guantánamo Turns 20," European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights
"The first prisoners arrived at Guantanamo Bay 20 years ago. Will it ever close?," Los Angeles Times
“New York Police Planned Assault on Bronx Protesters,” Human Rights Watch
"Officials’ Pandemic Response Impaired Right to Vote," Human Rights Watch
Time to Re-examine Corporate Computer Access Policies
New York City Bar Association Urges Congress to Provide Remedies to Victims of Torture, and Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment
"Torture, Physical Coercion and Reprisals in Bahrain Belie Commitment to Reform," Gulf Center for Human Rights
Criminalizing Dissent, Entrenching Impunity: Persistent Failures of the Bahraini Justice System, Human Rights Watch
Iraq’s Information Crimes Law: Badly Written Provisions and Draconian Punishments Violate Due Process and Free Speech, Human Rights Watch
In Bahrain, Life in Prison Just for Protesting, GlobalPost
No Justice in Bahrain: Unfair Trials in Military and Civilian Courts, Human Rights Watch
How Bahrain is Oppressing its Shia Majority, The Guardian
"Back Human Rights in Bahrain," Politico
Closing the Loop on Guantanamo, Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law
"The Real Bahrain," The Wall Street Journal
Torture Redux: the Revival of Physical Coercion During Interrogations in Bahrain, Human Rights Watch
Contributing author, "The Guantanamo Lawyers," New York University Press
"When the FBI Makes Demands," New York Law Journal
"What Indefinite Detention Without Charge or Trial Looks Like," New York City Law Review
"Criminal Trials at Guantanamo (Almost)," Huffington Post
"No Hope in Guantanamo," Miami Herald
"Title VII Retaliation Claims: What Constitutes Protected Activity?," New York Law Journal

News & Press Mentions

Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan's Archived Press Releases and Media Mentions
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp Controversy
Colangelo-Bryan Discusses Dismissal of Defamation Lawsuit Filed Against Executive Director of Indian American Muslim Council
Colangelo-Bryan Quoted on Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed by D.C. Court
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Quoted in Forbes About Human Rights Watch Report He Authored
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Former New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin Bribery Case
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on SCOTUS Torture Case Ruling
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on California Cases to Watch in 2022
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Cuomo Potential Legal Hurdles After Assembly Report
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Cuomo Investigation in Sexual Harassment Probe
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on the Investigation Into the Cuomo Administration
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Selected for Inclusion in the 2021 Best Lawyers in America
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan featured in University of Washington Magazine
Turkey Must Face Suit in U.S. Over 2017 Assault on Protesters
Dorsey Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Remarks on Ghosn Corruption Charges
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Selected for Inclusion in the 2020 Best Lawyers in America
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Former State Senator John Sampson Receiving No Additional Jail Time Despite Plea to Additional Charges
Seven Dorsey Lawyers in New York Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan quoted in The Hill on Turkish Embassy Brawl
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan quoted in The Washington Post on Turkey being sued over violence in protests in Washington
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Silver Retrial
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan remarks on Feds Raiding Cohen’s Offices
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan: Comments on Upcoming Public Corruption Cases
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan Comments on Silver Retrial
Dorsey Of Counsel Joshua Colangelo-Bryan quoted in the New York Daily News After Arguing Against Government’s Appeal in Case of Former Senator John Sampson. Audio Recording of Oral Argument on Government’s Appeal.

Select Presentations

  • The Impact of Counter-Terrorism Policies on Human Rights in the Middle East and North Africa, Human Rights Watch Side Event, New York City, June 15, 2023.
  • Hindu American Foundation’s Lawsuit Dismissal: a Victory for First Amendment and Human Rights, virtual briefing, January 4, 2023.
  • The Court is Satisfied with the Confession: Bahrain Death Sentences Follow Torture, Sham Trials, Portcullis House, London, U.K., October 25, 2022.
  • How Death Sentences Follow Torture, Sham Trials in Bahrain, Human Rights Watch, “Twitter Space,” October 19, 2022.
  • Call for Release of HRDs & All Prisoners of Conscience, U.N. Human Rights Council Virtual Side Event, September 28, 2022.
  • Religious Discrimination in Bahrain, United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva, Switzerland, March 11, 2015.
  • Resisting Guantanamo Through Art and Law, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, October 9, 2014.
  • Bahrain: Perverting the Course of Justice, Doughty Street Chambers, London, England, May 29, 2014.
  • Defending Freedoms Hearing, Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, U.S. Congress, Washington, DC, January 16, 2014.
  • Panel discussion following "In Our Name: A Play of the Torture Years”, City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, New York, May 9, 2012.
  • No Justice in Bahrain: Unfair Trials in Military and Civilian Courts, United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, March 6, 2012.
  • Advocacy for Controversial Causes, Gulf Centre for Human Rights, Defenders Conference, Beirut, Lebanon, December 19, 2011.
  • The Rule of Law and the War on Terror, Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 29, 2011.
  • Dorsey Lawyers Present: Seton Hall Law Review, Newark, New Jersey, October 28, 2010.
  • The Response: In Search of Truth and Justice at Guantanamo, New York City Bar Association, New York, New York, October 4, 2010.
  • Human Rights Forum, National Democratic Action Committee, Manama, Bahrain, September 23, 2010.
  • Changing Course: The United States' Evolving Approach to International Law, Tulane University Law School, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 19, 2010.
  • Torture Redux: The Revival of Physical Coercion During Interrogation in Bahrain, Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, House of Lords, London, England, February 10, 2010.
  • Inside a Prison Outside the Law, Barnes & Noble, New York, New York, November 11, 2009.
  • Criminal Justice Panel, National Action Network Annual Convention, New York, New York, April 11, 2009.
  • The Interrogator’s Burden, American Psychoanalytic Association Conference, New York, New York, January 17, 2009.
  • Guantanamo Bay: Indefinite Detention Without Charge or Trial, University of Washington Law School Alumni Association, Seattle, Washington, April 24, 2008.
  • Guantanamo Teach-In, Seton Hall University Law School, Newark, New Jersey, October 5, 2006 (simulcast to 300 schools).
  • Guantanamo: A Litigator’s Perspective, Human Rights Watch, New York, New York, June 7, 2006.
  • Voices of Guantanamo, George Washington School of Law, Washington, DC, March 20, 2006 (broadcast live on C-Span).
  • International Law and Guantanamo Bay, Seton Hall University Law School, Newark, New Jersey, April 18, 2006.
  • Guantanamo Litigation Strategies, Amnesty International, London, England, November 25, 2005.
  • International Justice Mechanisms and the Rule of Law, New York University, New York, New York, March 10, 2005.
  • Status of the Kosovo Judicial System, Conference of Serbian Judges and Prosecutors, Belgrade, Serbia, March 12, 2002.
  • Kosovo Criminal Law for NATO Personnel, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, October 19, 2001.

Industries & Practices

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Government Solutions & Investigations

Accolades

          Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021 Contributed 100+ Pro Bono Hours in 2020

  • Contributed more than 100 Challenge pro bono hours, 2020-2022
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America©, 2018-2021
  • Dorsey & Whitney – Scales of Justice Team Award (Racial Justice Bronx Project), 2021
Joshua Colangelo-Bryan