Lawyer Profile

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Steven J. McCool

McCool Law PLLC
"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."

-Marc Morales (Windward Design Group), Sarasota

Lawyer Bio

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, he is a nationally recognized litigator.  In 2018, his peers described him as an “incredibly talented trial lawyer.”  In 2017, his peers described him as “one of the best trial lawyers in the city.”  Another peer added:  “He wins the unwinnable cases. I’ve never see anyone more committed to the interests of his clients.”  In 2016, his peers described him as an “exceptionally gifted” trial lawyer and a “tenacious” advocate for his clients, “including SEC enforcement, internal and grand jury investigations, in addition to FCA litigation.”  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, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Mr. McCool was named 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. 

Read more on firm website

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
 

Lawyer 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."

Marc Morales, Windward Design Group, Sarasota

Lawyer Practice Areas

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Firm Details

McCool Law PLLC
http://www.mccoollawpllc.com
 
Headquarters
1776 K Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 450.3370
View Firm Profile

Lawyer Case History

United States v. Oliver Harris, 2017 CF2 001254 (D.C. Super. Ct.)

In December 2017, Mr. McCool obtained not guilty verdicts, following a four-week jury trial, for client charged with rioting during Trump Inauguration Day protests. Following this victory, the government dismissed charges against 129 protesters.

United States v. Marc Frederick Morales, 09-CR-349 (DDC)

Lead counsel for a former Allied Defense Group executive charged alongside 21 other individuals in the first large-scale, FCPA-related FBI sting case.  After an 18-week long jury trial in what was called the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Flagship FCPA prosecution,” the presiding Federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss all charges after the jury deadlocked in overwhelming favor of acquittal of Mr. McCool’s client.

United States v. Kenneth Keitt, 07-CR-041 (DDC)

Lead counsel for a vice president of a national transportation consulting firm, who was charged with giving an illegal gratuity to a public official and prosecuted by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Following a week-long trial, the jury returned a not guilty verdict. 

Colombo v. Patton Boggs, LLP, et al., 2012 CA 00321B (DC Super. Ct.)

Lead counsel for Patton Boggs in a discrimination lawsuit brought by a former employee.  Following extensive discovery, Plaintiff dismissed her case with prejudice just prior to her scheduled deposition.  She received no remuneration.

United States v. Slough, 677 F. Supp. 112 (D.D.C. 2009)

Lead counsel for Donald Ball, a former Blackwater security contractor, who was indicted for a shooting incident in Baghdad, Iraq. Following a three-week Kastigar hearing, a Federal judge dismissed all charges. United States v. Slough, 677 F. Supp. 112 (D.D.C. 2009).  Following reversal in United States v. Slough, 641 F.3d 544 (D.C. Cir. 2011), the United States dismissed all charges against Mr. Ball with prejudice.

United States v. Rodney Moore, et al., 00-CR-157 (DDC)

Appointed as co-lead counsel by a Federal judge for a client facing the death penalty for 31 homicides, CCE, RICO and related charges.  After the jury refused to impose the death penalty, the court sentenced the client to a life sentence following a 13-month jury trial.