Roy Black, a legendary Miami defense attorney renowned for his courtroom skill and high-profile clientele, has died at the age of 80. Black gained national prominence for his role in negotiating Jeffrey Epstein’s controversial 2008 plea deal with then-U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta, which allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges by pleading guilty to lesser state offenses.

His death was confirmed by longtime law partner Howard Srebnick, who called Black a mentor and friend. “The losses I feel personally and professionally are immeasurable,” Srebnick told The Associated Press. Black’s legal influence spanned decades, earning him a reputation as one of the most formidable defense attorneys in the nation.

Throughout his career, Black defended a wide array of celebrity clients. He represented Justin Bieber during his 2014 DUI case and secured an acquittal for racecar driver Helio Castroneves in a high-profile tax evasion trial. Fellow attorney David O. Markus praised Black’s courtroom talent, comparing him to NBA legend Michael Jordan, saying, “He outlawyered every prosecutor he ever faced.”

Black also defended prominent figures like Rush Limbaugh and Miami police officer William Lozano, whose acquittal in the 1989 shooting of a Black motorcyclist led to widespread riots. His legal prowess often placed him at the center of controversial and politically sensitive cases.

Black’s involvement in Epstein’s case has come under renewed scrutiny following recent revelations. Former Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, also on Epstein’s legal team, recently spoke about sealed FBI documents potentially naming powerful political figures. Dershowitz emphasized that while names have surfaced, the allegations remain unproven.