Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Cities
Caroline D. Ciraolo, former Acting Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division, is a partner with Kostelanetz LLP and a founder of its Washington, D.C. office. Her practice focuses on federal and state civil tax controversies, including representation in sensitive audits, administrative appeals, and litigation, providing related tax advice, conducting internal investigations, and representing individuals and entities in criminal tax investigations and pro...
Universally considered to be among the country's premier Supreme Court and appellate advocates, Seth Waxman served as Solicitor General of the United States from 1997 through January 2001. In addition to leading the firm's appellate practice, Mr. Waxman engages in a broad litigation and counseling practice, with particular emphasis on complex challenges involving governments or public policy, intellectual property, regulatory, criminal and commercial issues.
John E. Kelly is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Health Care Law. John E. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized John E. Kelly since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John E. Kelly is held by other lawyers.
Barry Boss is co-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s Criminal Defense & Internal Investigations practice group, vice chair of the Commercial Litigation Department and office managing partner of the D.C. office. Prior to joining Cozen O’Connor in April 2004, Barry was an assistant federal public defender in Washington, D.C. Barry focuses his practice on complex criminal matters, particularly involving allegations of white-collar crime in federal court. Barry has extensive jury tria...
David Schertler is widely recognized as one of the top white–collar criminal defense attorneys in the Washington area and nationwide. He founded Schertler & Onorato, LLP, in 1996 and has built the firm’s reputation as a premier litigation boutique through his broad experience with criminal and civil investigative and trial matters and the results that he has achieved for his clients. Mr. Schertler is known for his skilled and tenacious representation of individuals and entitie...
Criminal defense lawyer and civil litigator Michael Battle is focused on white collar criminal matters. Having previously served as a prosecutor and judge himself, Michael understands their perspectives and designs compelling arguments that have the best chance of defending his clients and mitigating their exposure to prosecution. After leaving public service for private practice, Michael has counseled numerous clients on cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), healthcare fr...
Jay R. Nanavati is an accomplished litigator, a former federal tax prosecutor, and a founding partner of Kostelanetz LLP's Washington, D.C., office. He has developed an enviable record of success in persuading the government to terminate investigations of his clients and in defeating the government in court. Mr. Nanavati maintains a nationwide practice, focusing on white-collar criminal defense with an emphasis on tax-related matters. He represents individuals and entities facing investigatio...
George J. Hazel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. George J. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized George J. Hazel since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which George J. Hazel is held by other lawyers.
Joel Green is deputy managing partner of WilmerHale. In that role he assists the managing partner, Anjan Sahni, in executing the firm’s overall strategic vision. Mr. Green is also a partner in WilmerHale’s Securities, Litigation, and Regulatory Departments, Co-Chair of the Congressional Investigations Practice and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee.
Robert P. Trout has over 40 years' experience in civil and criminal litigation. His practice has concentrated primarily on complex commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense, as well as the defense of administrative agency enforcement actions. He began his legal career at the Department of Justice, where he served for two years in the Criminal Division, followed by four years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Trout served as Associate Deputy Indep...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
