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Sara Azari is Of Counsel to Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo.
Ms. Azari is a bi-coastal trial attorney with more than 20 years of experience advocating for clients in complex criminal, civil, and administrative matters. She provides strategic counsel and vigorous representation at every stage—from investigation through trial—delivering results in high-stakes and high-profile cases alike.
Ms. Azari represents individuals and entities in complex white-collar criminal matters, including cases involving cryptocurrency-related fraud; violations of embargo and sanctions statutes such as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA); tax, wire, bank, and real estate fraud; embezzlement and theft; and securities fraud. She also defends clients facing serious felony charges, including racketeering (RICO), narcotics offenses, sex crimes, child exploitation and pornography, and violent offenses. In addition, Ms. Azari is frequently retained by high-profile individuals facing allegations of sexual misconduct, arising in the context of the #MeToo movement.
Ms. Azari’s accomplished legal career has positioned her as a trusted and highly sought-after media commentator and legal analyst. For over two decades, she has served as a host and commentator across a broad spectrum of television programs, talk shows, national and cable news platforms, docuseries, and episodic crime shows. Renowned for her unfiltered, unbiased, and insightful legal perspective, Ms. Azari has been a frequent guest on CNN’s dayside and primetime broadcasts, and continues to provide expert analysis on NBC and ABC, as other major networks. She currently serves as the resident legal analyst for NewsNation, where she frequently appears on CUOMO, Banfield, and Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
In addition to her on-camera work, Ms. Azari is a published author and the host of The Presumption, a leading true crime podcast dedicated to examining the impact of media coverage on the presumption of innocence and other constitutional protections. The podcast delves into wrongful convictions and systemic failings, and provides nuanced legal analysis of headline-making cases—all through the framework of constitutional rights and due process.
Widely recognized as one of California’s leading white-collar defense attorneys, Ms. Azari has been consistently named a California Super Lawyer since 2008—an honor awarded to the top five percent of attorneys who demonstrate exceptional skill, integrity, and success in practice.
A proud UCLA alumna, Ms. Azari earned her J.D. from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. She began her legal career at the esteemed international law firm Baker & McKenzie, where she served as an associate in the firm’s Rio de Janeiro office, handling complex international transactions as well as internal investigations and FCPA matters.
Ms. Azari maintains an independent practice and is not an employee of the firm. She collaborates with Tacopina, Seigel & DeOreo on select matters.