Nicole Blank Becker is a Michigan-based lawyer known for being the defense litigator of R&B singer, Robert Sylvester Kelly.
Nicole Blank Becker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michigan, USA |
| Education | Wayne State University Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Employer(s) | Blank Law, PC |
| Known for | Defending R. Kelly |
| Website | https://nicoleblankbecker.com/ |
Career
editBecker began her career by working for Legal Aid Defender Office in Detroit, then Wayne County Prosecutor's office.[1][2] Before starting her own private law firm Blank Law, PC, in 2018 in Troy, Michigan, Becker served as the Chief of Macomb County's sex crimes unit and child abuse unit since 2005. She initially worked as a prosecutor, but then later switched to being a defense litigator.[3][4][5]
Though Becker has represented many clients, she came to attention in March 2019, after taking R. Kelly as her client. She also claimed that the Lifetime show, Surviving R. Kelly, is biased and has been directed in a negative way.[1][6][7][8][9]
In 2020, she represented Jason Dean from Livonia. Dean was a coach and teacher at Northville High School when one of his past students from 2010 accused him of sexual charges.[10][11][12] Becker also handled the case of David Shagena who was a volunteer and was accused of sexually assaulting minors in The River Church, Fort Gratiot.[13] Becker also appears on many media outlets as an expert on sexual assault cases.[14][15]
Personal life
editBecker's father, Daniel Blank, was also a criminal defense attorney that handled similar cases. Becker claims that her father influenced her to become a full-time litigator representing sexually alleged/convicted clients.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b "Ex-Macomb attorney prosecuted alleged sex offenders. Now she's representing R. Kelly". Detroit Free Press. Christina Hall. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
- ^ "National Trial Lawyers - Nicole Blank Becker".
- ^ "Nicole Blank Becker was a longtime sex crimes prosecutor. Now she's the lone woman defending R. Kelly". Insider. Michelle Mark. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ a b "Who is R Kelly's defense attorney, Nicole Blank Becker?". The Guardian. Lauren Aratani. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "Ex-prosecutor left a trail of red flags before 'inappropriate relationship' with victim". Michigan Radio. Kate Wells. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
- ^ "R. Kelly's Trial Is Already Headed Down a Weird, Weird Path". The Vulture. Victoria Bekiempis. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
- ^ "The Women Building a Brand on Defending Bad Men". The Cut. Kathleen Walsh. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ "The Questionable Results of R. Kelly's Victim-Challenging Defense". Vanity Fair. Dan Adler. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ "R. Kelly is 'optimistic' but has 'bad days,' lawyer says after singer pleads not guilty". USA Today. Hannah Yasharoff, Maria Puente. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ "Teacher apologizes, receives prison sentence of 9-30 years in student sexual abuse case". Hometownlife.com. Susan Vela. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ "Teacher accused of sexually assaulting former charter student rejects plea deal". Hometownlife.com. Susan Vela. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Former teacher, coach enters plea for having sex with 14-year-old". The Oakland Press. Aileen Wingblad. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ "Former church volunteer charged after 'multiple minors' came forward". The Times Herald. Liz Shepard. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- ^ "OAN interview baselessly claims FBI planted child pornography on NXIVM sex cult leader Keith Raniere during investigation". Media Matters. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
- ^ "Keith Raniere Child Pornography Trial. Report of Evidence Tampering by Feds to Help Secure Conviction of the Cult Leader". City Watch. Marc Ang. Retrieved 3 October 2022.