Otto G. Obermaier

Remembering Otto G. Obermaier (1936–2025)

Otto G. Obermaier, a prominent trial lawyer in New York and the former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, passed away peacefully at his home in Fairfax, Virginia. He was 89.

Otto George Obermaier was born in Manhattan on April 16, 1936, the cherished child of hardworking immigrants. His father, Joseph, worked in an ice cream factory, and his mother, Rosina Abt, was a seamstress. He attended St. Joseph's School and then Xavier High School in Manhattan.

Otto first pursued a degree in electrical engineering, graduating from Manhattan College in 1957. However, he soon abandoned his engineering prospects, moving to Washington to become an examiner with the United States Patent Office while simultaneously embarking on law studies at Georgetown University. He earned his law degree in 1960.

After serving in the Army and completing a two-year clerkship for Federal Judge Richard H. Levet, Otto joined the Southern District of New York as an Assistant United States Attorney under the legendary Robert M. Morgenthau from 1964 to 1968. He earned a reputation as a well-prepared and effective prosecutor in cases involving organized crime, narcotics, tax evasion, and bribery. Notably, he secured the conviction of Johnny Dioguardi, an associate of the Lucchese crime family.

Otto continued in public service, serving as Chief Trial Counsel at the Securities and Exchange Commission in New York from 1968 to 1970. That same year, he lent his expertise as associate counsel to Michael Armstrong on the celebrated Knapp Commission, helping to expose corruption within the New York Police Department.

In 1970, Otto co-founded the firm Martin & Obermaier with his friend and former colleague John S. Martin Jr., who would later serve as U.S. Attorney and later become a federal judge. Their firm set the standard for white-collar defense, a legacy that continues today as the firm Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello.

In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed Otto as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; something Otto often described as a dream come true. After confirmation by the United States Senate, he served until February, 1993. Later that year, he joined the firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges. In 2006, he re-established Martin & Obermaier, his old law firm, with Mr. Martin.

Beyond the courtroom, Otto was a prolific writer and speaker, contributing over a hundred articles to respected publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Barrons, along with countless legal journals such as The New York Law Journal, National Law Journal and The Legal Times of Washington. He was also the co-author, alongside his long-time partner Robert Morvillo, of White Collar Crime: Business and Regulatory Offenses, an essential guide that has been updated repeatedly since its 1990 publication.

He occasionally appeared on television as well, making regular appearances on Good Day New York and Court TV during the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995. He also gave commentary on legal matters on the Charlie Rose show on PBS.

He was named one of the New York area's best lawyers in New York magazine in 2005 and was included in The Best Lawyers in America in 2006 and 2007. He was proudly a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Law Institute.

A tall, trim man with bright blue eyes, Otto was always active, completing six marathons in New York City and on Long Island. He was also an accomplished amateur photographer, having won several awards for his work.

His greatest legacy is the family he built. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Patricia; their four wonderful children, Thomas, Patricia (Jeff), Joseph (Marine), and Karen (Frank), and their spouses; and seven cherished grandchildren: Katarina, Carina, James, Laurel, Stephen, Eric, and Alex.