Steven J. McCool

Steven J. McCool


McCool Law PLLC

Recognized since 2011

Washington, District of Columbia

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

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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.

In Chambers & Partners, Mr. McCool is a nationally-recognized trial lawyer. In 2021, attorneys and clients stated: Steven McCool is “a first-rate trial lawyer who is relentless in court.” In 2020, attorneys and clients stated: Steven is a “phenomenal trial lawyer;” “He’s a truly talented lawyer and is someone to call if you’re facing trouble;” and “He is a first-rate lawyer who is relentless in court.” In 2019, his peers stated: “Steve is an incredible trial lawyer, truly one of the best I’ve ever seen and he has strategic judgment and thinking that is as good as anyone I’ve ever worked with,” and a client stated, “he knows his way around a courtroom with his eyes closed and his hands behind his back.” In 2018, his peers described Mr. McCool 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 seen 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, in matters “including SEC enforcement, internal and grand jury investigations, in addition to FCA litigation.”

Mr. McCool is consistently 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, year after year, as one of “Washington’s Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine, and in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Mr. McCool was named as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Washington, DC” by Super Lawyers®. The National Law Journal named him as one of 50 lawyers in the United States who has made his mark in white-collar litigation.

Mr. McCool represents companies, officers, directors, executives and other individuals in criminal, civil and administrative matters, including grand jury investigations, internal investigations, Inspector General investigations, Congressional inquiries, SEC enforcement proceedings, and False Claims Act litigation. He has litigated a variety of cases relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, ITAR, export controls, the Clean Water Act, bank fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, government contracting fraud, mortgage and other accounting fraud. Mr. McCool has also handled complex civil matters involving business disputes, qui tam litigation, and asset forfeiture.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 1776 K Street, NW, Suite 200
    Washington, DC 20006
Education
  • American University, J.D., graduated 1989
  • Dickinson College, BA, graduated 1986
Bar Admissions
  • Maryland, United States
  • District of Columbia, United States
  • Pennsylvania, United States
  • Virginia, United States
Affiliations
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
State Clerkships
  • District of Columbia - Trial Courts

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Awards:
  • The National Law Journal - One of 50 lawyers in the United States who has made his mark in white-collar litigation
  • Best Lawyers in America - (Tier 1 – Criminal Defense: White-Collar Litigation)., U.S. News & World Report.
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Chambers & Partners

    Litigation: Trial Lawyers - USA; Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - District of Columbia

  • “Washington’s Top Lawyers” by Washingtonian Magazine, and in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2022
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Washington, DC for 2014-2022, Super Lawyers Magazine

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"Steven McCool is relentless in the defense of his clients. Steven works as though he is the one on trial. His tenacity is second to none. I am fortunate and thankful to have had his services."

- Lenny Solt

"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, FL

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