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As a former federal prosecutor I am, at my core, a trial lawyer. I know how to build a case and how to defend it aggressively, and I can quickly ascertain what is important to a judge in order to advance my argument effectively. That said, litigation often extracts a significant emotional and financial toll on a client. I believe my clients appreciate the empathy, sincerity and ‘humanity’ with which I handle their matters, while remaining a fierce advocate on their behalf.

Ms. Toscano focuses her practice on white collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations and complex civil litigation. Her work encompasses the defense of clients in criminal investigations, RICO actions, contract and business disputes, and allegations of legal malpractice. She is experienced in all aspects of litigation, including internal investigations on behalf of financial institutions and other corporate entities, pre-trial motions and plea negotiations, and trial and post-trial proceedings, and has tried numerous cases to verdict. 

Prior to entering private practice, Ms. Toscano gained extensive experience as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey for over ten years. In her role as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, she managed all aspects of litigation from investigation through conviction, supervising the Office's violent crime, narcotics, organized crime and gang-related caseload and serving as the Office's Grand Jury coordinator. In addition, as Chief of the General Crimes Unit, her responsibilities included the oversight of a variety of cases, including those involving mail fraud, wire fraud, healthcare fraud and tax fraud.

Ms. Toscano's background also includes her tenure as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, where her work encompassed the investigation and prosecution of complex international narcotics, money laundering and narco-terrorism cases.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Honors & Awards

  • Selected for inclusion in 2025 by NJBIZ on a list called “Leaders in Law” 
  • Listed in Chambers USA (a publication of Chambers and Partners) in the Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations practice area (2023 - present)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) in the Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar practice areas (2023 - present)
  • Selected for inclusion by the New Jersey Law Journal on the publication's 2022 list of "Women Lawyers of the Year," which recognizes female attorneys making an impact at a law firm, in-house legal department, government agency or public interest organization in New Jersey
  • U.S. Healthcare Compliance Certificate Program, Seton Hall Law School Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law (2022)
  • Recipient of a U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General's Award for Excellence in Management (2020)
  • Recognized by proclamation by Mayor Ras Baraka for Outstanding Achievements in Violent Crime Reduction in the City of Newark (2019)
  • Recipient of the Honorable Patty Shwartz Leadership Award (2018)
  • Recipient of a Law Enforcement Partnership Award from the Newark Police Department (2018)

Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Representative Matters

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

  • Successfully defended a client in an arbitration hearing against allegations of legal malpractice, resulting in all claims being dismissed and no award being issued
  • Representation of an individual charged with money laundering and tax fraud related to a $722 million fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme

  • Successfully defended a company that operates a post-acute network of skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in federal court, securing an order to dismiss a complaint alleging $10 million in damages for a range of due process and emotional distress claims 

  • Representation of a physician charged in a $3.4 million federal healthcare fraud prosecution

  • Representation of a defendant in a mail and wire fraud investigation involving allegations of $9 million in fraudulent business practices
  • Representation of an insurance corporation against a qui tam complaint alleging violations of the False Claim Act (both federal and state) and New Jersey’s Abandoned Property Act. Investigation involved data and document review, witness interviews, a review of compliance procedures and coordination with the Attorney General’s office

Uniquely NJ

  • Essex County Bar Association; Secretary; Former Trustee
  • Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey: Trustee; Criminal Practice Committee; Judicial Conference Committee; ReNew/ReEntry Committee
  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • New Jersey Women Lawyers Association
  • Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey
  • Women's White Collar Defense Association, New Jersey Chapter
  • Newark Police Foundation; Board member
  • Daniel Anderl Judicial Protection Project; Secretary
View Expanded Bio

More Activities & Experience

  • Ms. Toscano served as an appellate court attorney in the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court (2005-2007)
  • Buffalo Law Review; Managing Editor (2004-2005), Associate Member (2003-2004)
  • Proficient in spoken and written Spanish

Presentations & Speaking Engagements

View Abbreviated Bio

Departments

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 2005

Georgetown University, B.A. magna cum laude, 2002

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 2018
  • New York, 2006
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2019
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, 2021
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, 2007

- Chambers USA 2024 -
(a publication of Chambers and Partners)

Editorial Excerpt: "Brings extensive experience and expertise to the New Jersey white-collar bar. She is noted for her representation of clients in criminal defense, internal investigations and grand jury investigations."


Mary E. Toscano

Best Lawyers Award Badge


Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.