Updated: July 27, 2026
Moira Kim Penza is one of those rare lawyers who moves from the prosecutor’s table to the defense side without losing her edge. Best known for leading the federal case that convicted NXIVM founder Keith Raniere, she has built a reputation as a sharp, relentless trial lawyer who thrives in high-stakes matters. Today she practices as a partner at Wilkinson Stekloff in New York, handling complex civil and criminal cases for major corporate clients.
Table of Contents
Early Path and Education
A lifelong New Yorker and Queens native, Penza graduated from Binghamton University in three years with a dual major in English and history, earning her B.A. summa cum laude. She then attended Cornell Law School, where she served as Articles Editor of the Cornell Law Review and received her J.D. cum laude. Those credentials opened the door to a strong start at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, where she handled product liability, mass tort, securities, and other complex civil matters.
The NXIVM Prosecution That Defined a Career
In 2015 Penza joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Within a couple of years she took on one of the most closely watched cases of the decade: the investigation and prosecution of Keith Raniere and the NXIVM organization. She served as lead trial counsel in the six-week federal trial that resulted in Raniere’s conviction on all counts, including racketeering and sex trafficking. The jury deliberated less than four hours. Her work is widely credited with helping open the door for similar prosecutions against other powerful figures.
During her time as a prosecutor (2015–2019) she also handled white-collar fraud, public corruption, money laundering, violent crime, and narcotics cases. She served as her office’s Human Trafficking Coordinator and successfully argued appeals before the Second Circuit.
Transition to Private Practice and Current Work
In 2019 Penza joined Wilkinson Stekloff (then Wilkinson Walsh), a boutique firm known for high-stakes trial work. As a partner she has continued to try major cases. Notable matters include:
- Serving as trial counsel for Altria Group in the first government-entity bellwether trial related to its investment in JUUL Labs; the case settled globally after the defense cross-examinations.
- Representing Altria in related FTC proceedings and private antitrust suits.
- Acting as co-lead trial counsel for Warner Chilcott and Watson in an $8 billion antitrust class action that settled for a fraction of the claimed damages.
- Handling other significant product-liability, antitrust, and commercial disputes for corporate clients.
She is frequently sought by major media outlets for legal analysis and maintains an active pro bono practice, including successful trial work for workers who faced sexual harassment.
Recognition and Professional Standing
Penza has collected an impressive list of honors that reflect both her prosecutorial success and her current private-practice results:
- Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40
- Bloomberg Law 40 Under 40
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
- New York Law Journal and Law360 Rising Star (Trials)
- Benchmark Litigation Litigation Star and Top 250 Women in Litigation
Colleagues and clients describe her as a canny strategist who can go for the jugular when the case demands it—exactly the combination that made her effective in the NXIVM trial and continues to serve her clients today.
Quick Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Role | Partner, Wilkinson Stekloff |
| Location | New York, NY |
| Education | Binghamton University (B.A., summa cum laude); Cornell Law School (J.D., cum laude) |
| Prior Position | Assistant U.S. Attorney, EDNY (2015–2019) |
| Signature Case | United States v. Raniere (NXIVM) |
| Notable Clients | Altria Group, Warner Chilcott/Watson, others |
| Key Recognitions | Crain’s 40 Under 40, Bloomberg 40 Under 40, Lawdragon 500 |
Conclusion
Moira Kim Penza stands out because she has proven herself on both sides of the courtroom. The same precision and determination that dismantled a high-profile criminal enterprise now protect corporate clients in complex civil litigation. Whether you first heard her name through “The Vow” or through recent business reporting, her record shows a consistent pattern: careful preparation, fearless advocacy, and results. In an era when trial lawyers are increasingly rare, Penza remains one of the practitioners who still wins cases the old-fashioned way—by standing up and trying them.