Colette Resnik Steel has zealously advocated for her clients practicing criminal defense and civil litigation both in the state and federal courts for 26 years. She has defended people accused of white collar, violent and drug crimes, and has obtained acquittals for clients at every level of the courts. From domestic violence matters in the state courts to RICO, drug defense, forfeiture and fraud cases in the federal courts, Colette approaches each case with vigor as she passionately and compassionately advocates for the best interests of her clients, developing creative, well researched and detailed arguments.

With the goal of providing a comprehensive representation for each client, Colette's practice also extends to forfeiture defense and representation of students in Title IX cases as well as civil matters, many of which relate to her clients' pending or former criminal charges. She also defends lawyers and physicians on professional disciplinary matters before the State Bar of Georgia and Georgia Composite Medical Board.

Colette has a strong and abiding sense of service and volunteerism. As a Life Member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), she has held a variety of positions in the organization. She served on the Amicus Curaie Committee and was the Chairperson of the Lawyer's Assistance Committee/ Strike Force from 2012-2016. The Executive Director of GACDL, Jennifer Mackall, described Colette and Brian's contributions to GACDL in her retirement letter as follows:

[T]he most active committee in GACDL is without a doubt the Strike Force. Every person who has chaired this committee deserves many thanks, very notably Brian and Colette Steel who represented GACDL members for many years. Brian and Colette even took up the causes of some members whose cases didn't fall under the Strike Force, just because those people needed serious help- and they were GACDL members. Brian once took on the newly formed Office of Homeland Security- no small feat- and won. I know one member whose entire life changed for the better under Colette's care. No one will ever know what happened because of her integrity, so please don't ask.

For her dedication to GACDL, Colette was the recipient of the GACDL President's Commitment to GACDL Award in January 2014 and January 2016. Colette is also the Past Chair and Vice Chairperson of the Atlanta Bar Association's Criminal Law Section (1999-2000; 1998-1999). She is currently serving as a member of the the Lawyer Assistance Program for the State Bar of Georgia.

EDUCATION:

J.D., Emory University, 1991

B.A., Brandeis University, 1988

COURT ADMISSIONS:

United States Supreme Court

United Stated District Court, Northern District of Georgia

United States District Court, Middle District of Georgia

United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Supreme Court of Georgia

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS:

Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)

   •Amicus Curaie Committee

   •Lawyer's Assistance Committee/ Strike Force (Former Chairperson)

Atlanta Bar Association's Criminal Law Section (Former Chairperson)

Lawyer Assistance Program, State Bar of Georgia

SPEECHES AND PRESENTATIONS

Co Chair, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Winter Seminar, January 19-20, 2018.

Co Chair, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Fall Seminar, November 7-8, 2014.

Avoiding Pitfalls, Achieving Windfalls, and Advancing Professionalism, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Winter Seminar, January 28-29, 2011.

Motions to Suppress, Georgia Indigent Defense Counsel, July 21, 2000.

Evidence, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Fall Seminar, November 3-4, 1995.