About Deborah Austern
Deborah Austern Colson is a seasoned criminal defense attorney based in New York City, specializing in white-collar crime and appellate law. With over 30 years of experience, she is known for defending individuals against federal and state criminal charges. As the principal attorney at Colson Law PLLC, located at 80 Broad Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10004, Ms. Colson leads a practice that is well-respected in the legal community. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Ms. Colson earned her Juris Doctor in 1995. Her legal career began as a clerk for the Honorable Nina Gershon in the Eastern District of New York.
This foundational experience provided her with invaluable insights into the judicial process. After her clerkship, she co-founded Colson & Harris LLP, where she further developed her skills in criminal defense. Serving as an assistant federal defender in the Eastern District of New York, Ms. Colson represented clients in a variety of complex cases, sharpening her expertise in high-stakes legal matters. In addition to her work in criminal defense, Ms. Colson contributed to significant human rights initiatives while working in the Law & Security Department at Human Rights First. She managed the organization’s Guantanamo monitoring program, which involved oversight of detainee conditions and legal rights.
This role allowed her to engage in critical discussions on terrorism and national security issues, broadening her understanding of the intersection between law and public policy. Ms. Colson is admitted to practice law in New York State, as well as in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. She is also authorized to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Her professional affiliations include membership in the New York City Bar Association, the Federal Bar Council, and the New York County Defender Services Board of Directors. Since 2012, she has been recognized in the New York edition of Super Lawyers for her expertise in white-collar crime and criminal defense, underscoring her commitment to excellence in her field. Throughout her career, Ms.
Colson has represented clients in high-profile cases, including the defense of Joshua Schulte in the United States v. Schulte case in the Southern District of New York. Her practice areas encompass criminal law, white-collar crime, and appellate law, focusing on securities fraud, money laundering, health care fraud, insider trading, and national security offenses. Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Colson is able to offer her services to clients. She is dedicated to providing zealous advocacy and meticulous preparation, ensuring that her clients receive the best possible outcomes in their legal matters.
