Steven McCool, a former Federal prosecutor, has served as lead counsel in more than 75 criminal and civil jury and bench trials. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. The National Law Journal has named him as one of 50 lawyers in the United States who has made his mark in white-collar litigation. In Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, his peers describe him as an “exceptionally gifted” trial lawyer and a “tenacious” advocate for his clients. Mr. McCool is identified as one of the Best Lawyers in America® by U.S. News & World Report (Tier 1 – Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation). He is also recognized as one of “Washington’s Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine, and in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Mr. McCool was voted as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Washington, DC” by Super Lawyers®. Main Justice honored Mr. McCool with its Distinguished Service Award in the Zealous Advocates category and as one of five nominees for Trial Firm of the Year in its first annual Best FCPA Lawyers Client Services Awards.
Lawyer Bio
Education:
- American University, J.D., graduated 1989
- Dickinson College, BA, graduated 1986
Bar Admissions:
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
Affiliations:
- American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America - (Tier 1 – Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation)., U.S. News & World Report.
- Top 100 Lawyers in Washington, DC for 2014-2016, Super Lawyers Magazine
- “Washington’s Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine, and in 2014, 2015 and 2016,
- The National Law Journal - One of 50 lawyers in the United States who has made his mark in white-collar litigation
State Clerkships:
- District of Columbia - Trial Courts
Attorney Client Comments
"Steve is not only a good man and friend, but he is a great lawyer. He understands that defending a case does not begin in the court room; rather it ends there. He is a critical thinker who worked tirelessly on my case and fought even harder once the battle of a trial began. Steve has an innate ability to read his client and understands when the client needs a pat on the back or kick. That balance not only prepares himself and his staff for trial, but also prepares his client for their own battles, decisions, and pressures a trial brings. He was open, honest, and deserving of the trust a client must place in their lawyer. He treated me with respect, demanded it from others, deserved it from all, and had an unsurpassed court room presence. Steve skillfully cross examined government witness after government witness, made timely and well thought out objections and motions, and provided articulate and powerful opening statements that were unrivaled. Perhaps the greatest compliment I could give Steve is not from me at all. Instead it is from a juror who after our 5 month long trial said that Steve McCool "ruined" court TV for him" and that if court ended on a Friday, he couldn't wait for Monday morning to come. I have trusted Steve with my life and would never want to go into court with another lawyer by my side."
