Brian Steel has tirelessly defended those accused of criminal misconduct since 1991 and has built a national criminal defense practice in state and federal courts based on exhaustive preparation, creative and novel motions, skillful appellate advocacy and zealous courtroom showdowns. Brian has appeared in courts across his home state of Georgia as well as California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey and Oregon.
Brian has been recognized for his skills and accomplishments by peers, numerous organizations and publications, but his record speaks for itself. The level of success Brian has obtained in both the trial and appellate courts is unprecedented. Brian's trial results, wherein he has achieved not guilty verdicts in seemingly un-winnable cases, reflect the commitment he gives to his clients and his command of the law. Additionally, Brian Steel is Georgia’s most successful criminal appellate attorney, with around 300 published opinions and approximately 45 reversals to his credit.
Brian has represented attorneys, medical doctors, FBI Agents, judges, local law enforcement officers, elected officials, businessmen, professional athletes, accomplished musical artists and corporations as well as the most vulnerable clients - juveniles and indigent defendants. Brian handles cases ranging from RICO, wire fraud, immigration fraud and money laundering to murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, rape and child sex offenses in both state and federal courts. Brian has represented defendants in death penalty prosecutions and was even successful in having an entire death penalty prosecution dismissed when he proved his client’s innocence.
Brian was one of three Finalists for the Attorney of the Year Award (2017) by the Fulton County Daily Report. He has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer every year since 2004 and he has been named in Georgia Trend Magazine as a Legal Elite among Criminal Defense Attorneys in Georgia every year since 2003. Brian was named to Billboard’s 2023 Top Music Lawyers List. Brian is also the recipient of the Commitment to Justice Award, State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section (1997). Brian was among the first lawyers recognized by The Fulton County Daily Report as the Criminal Defense Attorney “On the Rise,” (May 28, 2002).
Brian is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America as well as a Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is a Life Member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), a former member of the Amicus Curiae Committee of GACDL, a former District Vice President and a multi-term member and former Chairperson of the Lawyer’s Assistance Committee/ Strike Force of GACDL. Brian was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Fulton County Conflict Defender. Brian is frequently a featured speaker at seminars and continuing legal education programs.
EDUCATION:
B.B.A., University of Michigan, 1987
J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 1990
LEGAL CAREER:
Partner, The Steel Law Firm, P.C., Atlanta, GA (1997-Present) Partner,
Wolfe & Steel, P.C., Atlanta, GA (1994-1997)
Assistant Public Defender, Fulton County, Atlanta, GA (1991-1993)
COURT ADMISSIONS:
United States Supreme Court
United Stated District Court, Northern District of Georgia
United States District Court, Southern District of Georgia
United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Supreme Court of Georgia
Court of Appeals of Georgia
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)
•Amicus Curaie Committee
•Lawyer's Assistance Committee/ Strike Force (Former Chairperson)
SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS
Oral Argument in the Appellate Courts - A Guide, Georgia Public Defender Council Appellate Training, October 25, 2017.
Effective Courtroom Presence, Criminal Law Seminar (Lister & Holt), October 20-21, 2016.
The Importance of Lawyer Professionalism, Criminal Law Seminar (Lister & Holt), October 12-13, 2017.
Criminal Law Issues Every Lawyer Should be Aware Of, K.I.S.S. – Keep it Short and Simple... and Other Trial Tips (State Bar of Georgia), December 15, 2016.
Cross Examination: Tactical and Legal Imperatives for the Winning Lawyer, Carlson on Evidence: Civil & Criminal Trial Practice under Georgia's New Evidence Code (State Bar of Georgia), December 18, 2015.
Automobile Searches and Seizures, Criminal Law Seminar (Lister & Holt), October 15-16, 2015.
Professionalism, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Winter Seminar, January 24, 2014.
Ethics, Criminal Law Seminar (Lister & Holt), October 17, 2013.
Cross-examination of the Forensic Expert, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Winter Seminar Lawyer's in the Round, January 27-28, 2012.
For Cause: Voir Dire, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, January 7, 2011.
Avoiding Pitfalls, Achieving Windfalls, and Advancing Professionalism, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Winter Seminar, January 28-29, 2011.
Investigation and Exclusion of Outcry, Child Hearsay, and Fresh Complaint Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Fall Seminar, November 3-5, 2010.
Law Concerning Jury Selection in the State of Georgia, ABA Breakfast, April 16, 2010.
Make Your Record Stronger than a Locomotive, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Fall Seminar, November 6-7, 2009.
Opening Statements, Cobb County Bar Association Criminal Defense Section Fall Seminar, September 25, 2009.
Out of the Kettle and Into the Fire: When Domestic Relations Cases become Criminal Cases, Family Law Institute, May 24, 2008.
Cross-Examination of Cooperating Co-Defendants, Complex Litigation Seminar, September 7-9, 2006. Criminal Defense Primer: Buzz Words and Key Concepts, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Bridge the Gap Seminar, September 19, 2005.
Effective Defense of Your Client in State Prosecutions, State Bar of Georgia General Practice and Trial Section Institute, April 14-16, 2005.
Creating a Record of Steel, The Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Fall Seminar, November 5-6, 2004.
Criminal Defense Primer: Buzz Words and Key Concepts, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Bridge the Gap Seminar, February 23, 2004.
Opening Statements, Georgia Indigent Defense Council New Lawyers Training Seminar, December 4-5, 2003.
Challenging Bills of Indictment, Fulton County Public Defender's Office, March 4, 2003.
Contempt of Court, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Spring Seminar, April 25-26, 2002.
Criminal Appeals, General Practice and Trial Section Institute, State Bar of Georgia,March 21-23, 2002.
Litigating Before the Sentence Panel Review, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Criminal Law Litigation Program, 2002.
Opening Statements, Georgia Indigent Defense Council New Lawyer Training, October 11-12, 2001. Criminal Defense Primer: Buzz Words and Key Concepts, Institute of Continuing Legal Education inGeorgia Bridge the Gap Seminar, September 5, 2001.
Similar Transaction Evidence: Weapons for the Prosecution and Defense, Clayton College & State University Continuing Education Center Criminal Law, May 11, 2001.
Passion in the Courtroom, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Trial Advocacy Program, December 20, 2000.
Opening Statements, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, December 7-8, 2000.
Murder 101 – Defending a Murder Case, Georgia Indigent Defense Council, October 20, 2000.
Trial Preparation, Georgia Indigent Defense Council Statewide Seminar, February 25, 2000.
Criminal Defense Primer: Buzz Words and Key Concepts, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Bridge the Gap Seminar, February 10, 2000.
Opening Statements, Criminal Law Seminar, October 15, 1999.
Opening Statements, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia Bridge the Gap Seminar, September 27, 1999.
Opening Statements, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Spring Seminar, April 23, 1999.
Opening Statements, Georgia Indigent Defense Council/Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers New Lawyers Training Seminar, March 10, 1999.
Interviewing Your Client, Georgia Indigent Defense Council/Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Basic Training Seminar, September 24, 1998.