Attorney who served as lead defense counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell during her criminal trial. Partner at Haddon, Morgan and Foreman. Argued Maxwell was being scapegoated for Epstein's crimes.
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Laura Menninger is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Laura A. Menninger is an American attorney and partner at the law firm Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, P.C., based in Denver, Colorado. She specializes in criminal defense and complex litigation. Menninger served as one of the lead defense attorneys for Ghislaine Maxwell in both the civil defamation suit brought by Virginia Giuffre (Giuffre v. Maxwell, 15-cv-07433-RWS) and the federal criminal sex trafficking case (United States v. Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN)) in the Southern District of New York.
Menninger's role in the Maxwell defense was extensive, spanning from pre-trial motions through trial. She worked alongside co-counsel Jeffrey S. Pagliuca (also of Haddon, Morgan and Foreman), Christian R. Everdell and Mark S. Cohen of Cohen & Gresser LLP, and Bobbi C. Sternheim. During the criminal trial, Menninger delivered the defense closing arguments in December 2021, arguing that Maxwell was being used as a scapegoat for Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.
Her involvement in Epstein-related litigation dates back to at least 2016, when she participated in the civil case, including filing declarations in support of Maxwell's motions and attending depositions. In the criminal case, she was deeply involved in discovery disputes, pre-trial motion practice, and trial preparation from Maxwell's arrest in July 2020 through the trial's conclusion in late December 2021.
Epstein Connection
Laura Menninger's connection to the Epstein case is exclusively professional, as defense counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell. She represented Maxwell in the civil defamation lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre (beginning circa 2015-2016) and subsequently in the federal criminal case charging Maxwell with sex trafficking conspiracy, enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and perjury (from 2020 through trial). She was a recipient of all discovery productions from the SDNY U.S. Attorney's Office and was involved in every major procedural and substantive defense effort in the case.
Key Allegations(8)
Menninger argued in closing arguments that Ghislaine Maxwell was being scapegoated for Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and that the victims' memories were unreliable after decades
documentedMenninger declined to comment on Virginia Roberts' allegations, referring reporters to the court history, with the partial quote that '[Roberts] fabricated a story'
documentedMenninger mentioned Dershowitz's name during a Nov. 7 hearing as among 'third parties' that Sarah Ransome claimed she was instructed about
documentedMenninger argued in pre-trial motions that the superseding indictment was too vague, failing to identify specific dates, accusers, or details of alleged crimes, and thus violated Maxwell's constitutional rights
documentedMenninger argued that the government circumvented a protective order in the civil case Giuffre v. Maxwell to obtain evidence used in the criminal prosecution and sought suppression of that evidence
documentedMenninger filed motions arguing the indictment breached a non-prosecution agreement
documentedMenninger argued that pre-indictment delay had prejudiced Maxwell's ability to defend herself, citing lost witnesses, corrupted memories, and tactical delay by the government
documentedMenninger argued that the government had failed to prove Maxwell's direct involvement in Epstein's crimes and emphasized the absence of Epstein as the true perpetrator
documentedLegal Status
Laura Menninger has no personal legal status in the Epstein case. She served exclusively as defense counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell in both civil (Giuffre v. Maxwell, 15-cv-07433-RWS) and criminal (United States v. Maxwell, S2 20 Cr. 330 (AJN)) proceedings.
Notable Statements(2)
“[Roberts] fabricated a story of a...”
“Given that the FBI's records do not match mine, I would ask that you please preserve the two disks that I reviewed in New York in the event they are necessary for future litigation or production at trial.”
Key Relationships(9)
Served as lead defense counsel for Ghislaine Maxwell in both the civil defamation case (Giuffre v. Maxwell) and the federal criminal case (US v. Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330). Listed as counsel of record on all major filings, discovery correspondence, stipulations, and delivered defense closing arguments at trial.
Jeffrey S. Pagliuca is a fellow partner at Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, P.C. and served as co-counsel for Maxwell alongside Menninger throughout the criminal and civil proceedings. Both are listed together on virtually all court filings and discovery correspondence.
Bobbi C. Sternheim served as co-counsel for Maxwell and coordinated trial scheduling and defense strategy with Menninger. Sternheim noted in a May 2021 email that Menninger had a civil trial scheduled for December 13th but would try to move it to accommodate the Maxwell trial.
Christian R. Everdell of Cohen & Gresser LLP served as co-counsel for Maxwell and is listed alongside Menninger on discovery correspondence, stipulations, and court filings throughout the criminal case.
Mark S. Cohen of Cohen & Gresser LLP served as co-counsel for Maxwell and is listed alongside Menninger on discovery correspondence and court filings.
Menninger opposed Virginia Giuffre as defense counsel in the civil defamation case Giuffre v. Maxwell (15-cv-07433-RWS) and filed declarations in support of Maxwell's summary judgment motion in that case.
Sigrid McCawley, counsel for Virginia Giuffre, filed declarations referencing deposition notices and correspondence involving Menninger in the civil case.
Judge Alison Nathan presided over the criminal case US v. Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN), in which Menninger served as defense counsel.
Menninger's defense strategy centered on arguing that Jeffrey Epstein, not Ghislaine Maxwell, was the true perpetrator, and that Maxwell was being scapegoated for Epstein's crimes.
Timeline(26 events)
Menninger filed a submission in Giuffre v. Maxwell (15-cv-07433-RWS) regarding compensation for attending depositions outside 100 miles of the courthouse.
Filed declaration in support of Maxwell's Motion for Summary Judgment in Giuffre v. Maxwell, attaching a Daily Mail article about Prince Andrew as an exhibit.
Protective Order entered in the criminal case US v. Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN), governing discovery productions to Menninger and co-counsel.
Received initial discovery production from the government in US v. Maxwell, stamped SDNY_GM_00000001 through SDNY_GM_00012841.
Defense team submitted extensive discovery and Brady material requests to the government on behalf of Maxwell.
Received additional discovery production from the government, stamped SDNY_GM_00536837 through SDNY_GM_02742043.
Received supplemental discovery production from the government.
Filed multiple pre-trial motions on behalf of Maxwell, including motions to dismiss for lack of specificity, to dismiss as multiplicitous, to dismiss for violation of the Sixth Amendment, to sever counts, and to strike surplusage from the superseding indictment.
Filed motion to dismiss Counts Five and Six, arguing alleged misstatements were not perjurious as a matter of law.
Filed motion to suppress evidence obtained from government subpoena and to dismiss Counts Five and Six citing Due Process Clause.
Filed motion to dismiss superseding indictment arguing it breached a non-prosecution agreement.
Filed memorandum arguing pre-indictment delay prejudiced Maxwell's defense.
Received government letter providing information regarding Minor Victim-4 in the S2 Indictment.
Defense team communicated with prosecution regarding conferral on possible violation of Local Criminal Rule 23.1 and scheduling matters.
Defense team indicated availability to begin trial November 8th and conclude by end of year; noted Menninger had a civil trial scheduled for December 13th.
Received discovery production from the government and engaged in correspondence regarding file format issues in discovery materials.
Corresponded with prosecution regarding photo and other discovery deficiencies, including issues with file extensions (mpg, psb, psd).
Received additional discovery materials relating to individuals the government did not intend to call as witnesses.
Requested FBI preserve two disk drives she had reviewed in New York after FBI records did not match her own records regarding discovery materials.
Received government notice regarding anticipated testimony of FBI Computer Forensic Examiner from CART.
Received government notification regarding evidence it may seek to introduce at trial, including proposed exhibits GX 401-404, GX 409-410, and GX 413.
Received additional Jencks Act and Giglio material from the government regarding potential trial witnesses.
Participated in correspondence with Judge Nathan's chambers regarding ECF filing access for additional counsel.
Received additional Jencks Act and Giglio material from the government ahead of trial.
Entered into trial stipulation with the government regarding admission of deposition transcripts as Government Exhibits.
Delivered defense closing arguments at the Maxwell criminal trial, arguing Maxwell was being scapegoated for Epstein's crimes, that victims' memories were unreliable, and that the government failed to prove Maxwell's direct involvement.
At a Glance
Click values for sourcesSources
2 sources for document mentions
Maxwell Trial - Defense Closing Arguments Transcript
2021-12-20
“Transcript of the defense closing arguments in USA v. Maxwell. Defense attorney Laura Menninger argu”
EXHIBIT A [1332-16]
2025-12-19
“EXHIBIT A Case 1:15-cv-07433-LAP Document 1332-16 Filed 01/08/24 Page 1 of 16 RICHARD D. EMERY ANDRE”
External Cross-Check
Search ICIJ Offshore Leaks, OFAC Sanctions, SEC EDGAR, and Federal Courts
Offshore Connections (1)
Cross-referenced against the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database (814K+ entities from Panama Papers, Paradise Papers, Pandora Papers, and Bahamas Leaks). Matches are based on name similarity and do not imply wrongdoing.
Aura
Jurisdiction: KY
Document Mentions
This dossier on Laura Menninger was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.