The choice of a defence attorney by Hushpuppi, a popular Instagrammer facing 20 years for multimillion-dollar fraud and money laundering scams has piqued the interest of many Africans on the internet.
Ramon Olorunwa Abbas - known to his 2.5 million Instagram followers as Ray Hushpuppi has engaged the services of Gal Pissetzky to defend him during the trial.
In a promotional video on the website of his law firm, Mr Pissetzky says he does not fear prosecutors or judges and nothing will stop him from getting justice for his clients.
He adds that being a husband, father and friend helps him to understand the fears of his clients who may be facing lengthy sentences.
Attorney Pissetzky told the BBC that his client, who posts on Instagram about his extravagant lifestyle, was not a criminal and had made his money legitimately.
VIDEO: How Dubai Police busted Nigerian Insta-celeb Hushpuppi
"He is a social media influencer with millions of followers, with millions of people that respect and loved him, and he loved them, and that's what he did. In today's society, that's a business," he said.
Mr Pissetzky admits that he is not "100% familiar" with social media and his children consider him too old but he knows "that's how people make money today".
The Chicago defence lawyer's argument that Hushpuppi was paid by designer brands for promotion has set the stage for what promises to be a long trial in American courts.
"In my opinion, the FBI and the government here acted illegally when they kidnapped him from Dubai without any legal process to do so," Mr Pissetzky told the BBC.
"There was no extradition, there were no legal steps taken, there were no court documents filed, it was simply a call to the FBI. He is not a citizen of the United States, the US had absolutely no authority to take him," his lawyer says.
"If Dubai wanted to expel him, they should have expelled him back to Nigeria. I've never heard of anything like that. That is the real story here."
Profile of Mr Pissetzky
Mr. Pissetzky has represented many clients in high-profile cases, and is frequently quoted in the press.
He regularly appears on TV as the legal consultant/advisor regarding high profile criminal cases.
EXPERIENCE
Attorney Pissetzky devotes his life to defending the rights of those accused of a variety of state and federal criminal felony charges. Mr Pissetzky has taken over 100 cases to trial both before a jury and before a judge.
He has litigated Fourth and Fifth Amendment motions in which law enforcement violated his client's Constitutional rights. Mr Pissetzky has handled multi-issue complex trials and appeals.
He has argued before the Illinois Supreme Court, as well as numerous Illinois and Federal Appellate Courts.
His practice focuses on defending clients of complex federal an state crimes, such as financial crimes, wire fraud, mail fraud, political corruption, medicare fraud, conspiracy, large-scale drug crimes, murder, attempted murder and other violent crimes, gun offences, sex offences, as well as any criminal forfeiture proceedings that occur as a result of the criminal charges.
He has been vigorously representing clients in both the state and federal court systems for well over 20 years. Located in Chicago, he represents clients throughout Illinois and the country. Mr Pissetzky prides himself on providing superior client service. He is truly dedicated to protecting the rights of his clients and preserving their future.
Mr Pissetzky began his successful career as a defence attorney in 2002 after spending four years with the Cook County State Attorney's Office. He obtained his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School. He is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
Hebrew
Polish
Spanish
LICENSE
Illinois Active And Authorized To Practice Law 2000
WORK EXPERIENCE
Partner at Pissetzky & Berliner, LLC (2006-present)
Partner at Meczyk & Associates (2002-2006)
Assistant State's Attorney at Cook County State's Attorney's Office (2000-2002)
EDUCATION
J.D., John Marshall Law School, Chicago Law, 2000
B.A., University of Illinois, Chicago Criminal Law and Political Science, 1997
AWARDS
Rising Star Super Lawyer™, 2011
Top 100 Trial Lawyers Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2010
Top 100 Trial Lawyers Association of Trial Lawyers of America, 2009
Top 100 Trial Lawyers American Trial Lawyers Association, 2007
Cum Laude John Marshall Law School, 2000
Honors University of Illinois, Chicago, 1997
"10 Best Client Satisfaction" attorneys by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
"Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Illinois" by The American Trial Lawyers Association
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Parental Problems with Student Activities - Television Show
FEATURED IN
Forbes
Fox 32 Chicago
Fox News
Chicago Tribune
WGN Radio
Daily Herald
Fox 6 Now
The National Herald
Washington Post
Press Reader
Source: Daily Graphic
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