Lance Clarke
Lance Clarke
Lance A. Clarke is an American trial lawyer and managing partner of [Hamilton Clarke LLP], headquartered in New York City. He handles high-stakes white-collar and criminal defense, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy, often in nationally significant matters.[1]
Early life and education
Clarke was born on November 30, 1979, in East New York, Brooklyn, and raised in the Breukelen Houses, a NYCHA development.[1] He worked full-time to support himself while attending college. He earned a B.S. from New York City College of Technology (CUNY) and a J.D. from Penn State Dickinson Law in 2007. He later completed an executive leadership certificate at Cornell University.[1]
Career
Legal Aid Society
Clarke began his legal career at the Legal Aid Society of New York, initially in the Parole Revocation Defense Unit before moving to the Criminal Defense Practice. He represented thousands of clients during his tenure.[1]
Hamilton Clarke LLP
In 2020, Clarke co-founded Hamilton Clarke LLP with Phillip C. Hamilton. The firm specializes in federal and state criminal defense, civil rights litigation, civil litigation, and appellate work.[1]
Representative cases
- United States v. Darren Smith — Clarke served as trial counsel in a federal prosecution in which the defendant was charged with attempted murder of federal officers after multiple firearm discharges. The jury acquitted on the attempted murder count, but at sentencing the court applied enhancements tied to that charge. Clarke argued the appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and later filed a petition for writ of certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court, which remains pending.[2][3]
- DEI executive fraud case- Diversity executive fraud litigation — Clarke defended a client in federal proceedings in the Northern District of Georgia arising out of a multimillion-dollar embezzlement scheme by a corporate diversity executive, a case that received national media attention.[4][5][6]
- Arkansas protest firebombing case — Arkansas protest firebombing case — Clarke represented a political activist charged in connection with the firebombing of police vehicles during racial justice protests in Arkansas. The client was ultimately released after receiving credit for time served.[7][8]
- George Floyd protest litigation — Clarke participated in class litigation over NYPD “kettling” tactics during the 2020 George Floyd protests in the Bronx. The City agreed to a settlement valued at over $13 million.[9][10]
Media and commentary
Clarke has provided legal analysis on national outlets including BBC, CBS, and Court TV. His firm biography cites recognition in Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers.[1][5]
Publications and influence
Clarke was interviewed for The End of the Pipeline: A Journey of Recognition for African Americans Entering the Legal Profession, in which a character was loosely based on his experiences. The book has been used in academic and professional discussions on diversity in the legal profession.[11]
Community leadership and recognition
Clarke co-founded The Clarke Foundation, supporting youth enrichment and cultural programming. The foundation collaborates with programs including the Boy Scouts of America. He serves on the board of Exalt Youth, which honored him in 2022, and advises Future Giants.[1]
He is a member of 100 Black Men of New York, a civic organization focused on mentorship and leadership.
His recognitions include the Harlem Good Scout Award, honors from Exalt Youth, and invitations to speak internationally, including at Oxford University (2025).[1]
International involvement
In December 2022, Clarke was tapped to travel to Bogotá, Colombia, in connection with potential extradition proceedings involving Álvaro Córdoba, the brother of then-Senator Piedad Córdoba, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The trip drew public attention after Senator Córdoba referenced the visit and a robbery incident on social media.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 "Lance A. Clarke". Hamilton Clarke LLP. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "United States v. Smith, No. 24-940 (2d Cir.)". Justia. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "United States v. Smith (oral argument audio)". CourtListener. June 24, 2025. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Former Diversity Program Manager at Facebook and Nike Sentenced to Federal Prison for $5 Million Fraud Scheme" (Press release). U.S. Department of Justice, Northern District of Georgia. May 13, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "How a DEI manager at Facebook and Nike stole millions". Fortune. June 12, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "Former Diversity Program Manager at Facebook and Nike Sentenced to Federal Prison" (Press release). U.S. DOJ. May 13, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedDOJEDAR - ↑ "NYC agrees to multimillion dollar settlement compensating protesters corralled by police officers at 2020 George Floyd protest". CBS News. March 1, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ "NYC to pay over $13M in Black Lives Matter civil rights lawsuit". CBS News. July 20, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
- ↑ The End of the Pipeline: A Journey of Recognition for African Americans Entering the Legal Profession. [Publisher]. [Year]. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/[ISBN]|[ISBN]]] Check
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