David Tarras

David Tarras is widely regarded as one of Florida’s leading federal and white-collar defense attorneys. Known for his sharp trial skills, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication to his clients, he represents individuals and companies facing some of the most complex and high-stakes criminal and regulatory matters in the country.

David founded Tarras Defense to create a firm singularly focused on federal criminal defense, sophisticated white-collar litigation, and regulatory compliance. From multi-agency investigations and fraud prosecutions to sensitive sexual misconduct allegations and money laundering cases, David is trusted by professionals, executives, and business owners whose reputations and livelihoods are on the line.

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Throughout his career, David has successfully defended clients in cases involving healthcare fraud, securities and cryptocurrency fraud, large-scale money laundering conspiracies, tax fraud, international drug trafficking, and allegations under the Anti-Kickback Statute, among others. His representations include persuading federal prosecutors and SEC investigators to decline charges in multi-million dollar fraud cases, securing declinations and dramatic sentencing reductions in complex federal matters, and guiding clients through parallel DOJ civil and regulatory investigations.

David regularly works with individuals and companies to discreetly resolve complex government investigations, often avoiding criminal charges, regulatory penalties, and litigation altogether. With a deep understanding of DOJ, IRS, SEC, HHS-OIG (healthcare enforcement), and multi-agency enforcement priorities, he guides clients through sensitive inquiries with strategic precision and clear, protective counsel. In addition to defense, David advises clients on proactive compliance and strategic planning to minimize exposure and prevent investigations before they begin. His approach combines legal insight, risk assessment, and practical guidance to help clients operate confidently within the boundaries of federal law.

David is frequently sought out by other attorneys to protect their clients when federal exposure arises, and is known for building tailored teams of investigators and experts to achieve the best possible outcomes. His practice is defined by meticulous preparation, aggressive and competent trial presentation, and an ability to navigate sensitive, high-profile situations with discretion.

David has provided legal commentary on Good Morning America, ABC News, NBC 6, NewsNation, and in the Washington Post. He is a Board Member of the Federal Bar Association (Broward Chapter), a former Director of the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a member of leading white collar and criminal defense associations nationwide. He has also hosted multiple CLEs for other attorneys view and rely on for guidance.

Before founding Tarras Defense, David led the federal and white collar practice at Rossen Law Firm, where he built a nationally recognized defense practice. He began his career in the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, developing extensive trial experience and earning early recognition for his courtroom advocacy.

David holds a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, where he was a Merit Scholar, and a degree in Political Science from the University of Florida Honors College, magna cum laude.

 

Representative Matters

White Collar Defense

  • $10 Million Tax Fraud – No Charges, Civil Settlement Reduced
    In a federal tax fraud investigation alleging over $10 million in losses to the IRS, convinced the DOJ to decline criminal prosecution entirely. Negotiated a favorable civil settlement of only $300,000 after a persuasive discovery presentation and extensive negotiations.
  • $57 Million FOREX Investigation – No Charges Filed
    Convinced federal prosecutors and SEC criminal investigators in the Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division) to decline prosecution in a $57 million foreign-exchange investment fraud investigation.
  • $6 Million Medicare Kickback Allegation – CEO Cleared
    Persuaded DOJ Trial Attorneys with the South Florida Medicare Strike Force to decline charges against the CEO of a genetic testing marketing company accused of causing $6 million in alleged losses to Medicare.
  • Multi-State PPP Loan Conspiracy – Case Dismissed
    Secured the dismissal of all federal charges against a high-profile nightclub owner alleged to have participated in a multi-million dollar Paycheck Protection Program loan scheme spanning multiple states.
  • $8 Million Ponzi Scheme – Guidelines Slashed
    In a multimillion-dollar alleged Ponzi scheme, successful objections reduced the guideline range by seven years compared to the government’s calculation and recommendation.
  • Wire Fraud Conspiracy – Downward Variance to Six Months
    In a fraudulent car loan scheme, persuaded the Court to impose only six months in custody followed by supervised release, instead of years in prison.
  • Complex Tax Fraud – Years Shaved Off
    By defeating inflated IRS loss extrapolations, obtained a concurrent 30-month resolution, sparing the client years of additional custody.
  • PPP Loan Fraud / Money Laundering – Major Count Dismissed
    In a pandemic loan fraud prosecution, secured dismissal of the money laundering count and a reduced loss calculation, substantially lowering sentencing exposure.
  • $100 Million Crypto Fraud – Bond Secured for Foreign National
    In an alleged $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, obtained bond for a foreign national with no U.S. ties—an exceptionally rare outcome.

Federal Criminal Defense

  • Wire Fraud – Prison Avoided, Probation Only
    In a federal wire fraud case carrying significant prison exposure, obtained an extraordinary outcome of no incarceration. Despite guidelines recommending prison time, the Court imposed probation only.
  • Pharmaceutical Controlled Substances Case – Decades of Exposure Reduced
    In a prosecution under the Controlled Substances Act involving pharmaceutical distribution, reduced potential decades in prison to a sentence of only 13 months of imprisonment followed by 12 months of supervised release.
  • Large-Scale Drug Trafficking Conspiracy – Facing Life, Received 5 Years
    For a client facing a mandatory minimum of ten years and guidelines up to life, secured safety valve relief and a substantial variance down to five years by presenting extensive mitigation, including expert testimony and a forensic mental health evaluation.
  • Drug Distribution with Mandatory Minimum – Lowest Possible Sentence
    In a narcotics conspiracy carrying a five-year mandatory minimum, obtained safety valve relief and the lowest sentence permitted by the guidelines.

Firearms & Violent Crime

  • Federal Firearms & Supervised Release – State Case Dismissed, Concurrent Sentence
    In back-to-back firearm prosecutions, obtained dismissal of a related state case and prevented stacking of penalties, resulting in a single concurrent sentence at the bottom of the guidelines.
  • Armed Robbery with Firearm – Avoided 20-Year Mandatory Minimum
    On the eve of trial, forced the State to drop a 20-year minimum mandatory enhancement, ultimately securing concurrent sentences and a four-year federal term.
  • Felon in Possession of a Firearm – Prison Avoided, Time Served
    Persuaded the Court that prior felony treatment was unfair, resulting in a sentence of time served with home confinement and supervised release.
  • False Statements in Firearm Purchase – Zero Prison Time
    For a South Florida car mechanic charged with gun trafficking in a conspiracy involving more than 100 firearms, successfully argued for house arrest instead of the 48-month guideline recommendation.
  • Illegal Reentry & Firearm Possession – Sentence Cut in Half
    After successful objections to sentencing enhancements, reduced the sentence to one year and one day—roughly half of the government’s recommendation.
  • Straw Purchaser Firearms Case – Probation Only
    In a straw purchasing case with clear prison exposure under the guidelines, secured probation only, supported by mitigation evidence of PTSD from childhood trauma.

Supervised Release & Post-Conviction

  • Supervised Release Violation – No Prison Despite Government Objections
    For a client recently released from a 20-year sentence, a marijuana violation did not result in revocation. Instead, supervision was reinstated with six months of home confinement and no monitoring.
  • Supervised Release & Alleged Domestic Violence – Complete Reinstatement
    After demonstrating that the government could not prove allegations, secured reinstatement of supervised release with no additional custody.
  • DUI Manslaughter / Supervised Release – No Admissions, Time Served
    In a supervised release violation tied to a pending DUI manslaughter charge, resolved the matter with time served and reinstatement, without requiring damaging admissions.
  • Supervised Release Violation – Complete Dismissal
    In a federal supervised release proceeding tied to an alleged tax evasion offense, successfully argued that probation exceeded its authority. The Court dismissed the violation affidavit in full, terminating supervision with no additional penalties.

Regulatory & Environmental Matters

  • Lacey Act / Wildlife Importation – No Jail, No Immigration Consequences
    Represented a Miami reptile shop owner indicted under the Lacey Act. Secured home confinement only, early termination of probation, return of passports, and no immigration consequences.

Honors And Recognitions

500 X – The Next Generation – LawDragon (2025)

Super Lawyers – Rising Star (2025)

Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers – The National Trial Lawyers (2022-Present)

Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers – The National Trial Lawyers (2020-Present)

Top Attorney – Avvo Rating 10.0

Associations and Affiliations

Board Member, Federal Bar Association (Broward Chapter)

Board of Directors, Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2020-23)

Member, American Bar Association – White Collar Crime Committee

Member, Palm Beach County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member, Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member, ProVisors

Education

Fordham University School of Law
Merit Scholar

University of Florida Honors College
Magna cum laude