Stuart A. Sears
Stuart A. Sears
Partner
- Education:
- American University,
- Washington College of Law
- University of Mary Washington
- Bar Admissions:
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- Practice Focus:
OVERVIEW
Stuart A. Sears is a talented trial attorney with a broad range of experience representing individuals and companies in high-stakes and often high-profile white-collar investigations, congressional inquiries, criminal prosecutions and related civil and administrative proceedings. He has represented U.S. and foreign clients in global investigations involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the False Claims Act, criminal antitrust allegations, fraud, and national security matters. Mr. Sears maintains a Top Secret/SCI clearance and has represented multiple clients in investigations and trials involving the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA).
Mr. Sears has been recognized for his trial and litigation success by his admission as a Fellow to the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, “an invitation-only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality.” Membership in the College is limited to no more than 1% of lawyers in any state. For over a decade he has also been listed among the top criminal defense and white-collar lawyers in Washington, D.C. and Virginia by Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Washingtonian Magazine.
Over his career, Mr. Sears has earned a reputation for being a zealous and persuasive advocate who can successfully navigate clients through difficult and complicated investigations. His credibility, trustworthiness, and judgment have been recognized by opposing counsel, judges and peers. Whether it’s presenting to the government, a judge, or a jury, Mr. Sears is highly regarded for his ability to communicate his client’s story in a simple, effective, and convincing manner.
EXPERIENCE
Select representative matters:
- Obtained a full acquittal for client charged by Special Counsel John Durham following a four-day highly publicized jury trial involving extensive CIPA litigation in the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented foreign national in an FCPA investigation led by DOJ and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York that resulted in a non-prosecution agreement.
- Represented U.S. technology company in parallel criminal and civil investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Columbia and the Southern District of New York. The investigations were closed and resulted in no criminal charges or civil penalties.
- Represented high-level executive at large food manufacturing company who DOJ intended to hold criminally liable as the Responsible Corporate Officer for violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. DOJ ultimately declined to bring charges against the client.
- Represented multiple individuals and executives of a pharmaceutical company in a lengthy criminal investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia that resulted in no criminal charges or individual liability.
- Represented an employee of a large consulting company in parallel criminal and civil investigations by DOJ and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Districts of Massachusetts and the Western District of Virginia that resulted in no criminal charges or personal liability for the client.
- Represented an employee of an NFL football team in a criminal investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia that resulted in a non-prosecution agreement.
- Represented foreign national in ongoing criminal investigation by DOJ into potential violations of the Consumer Protection and Safety Act.
- Represented president of U.S. food manufacturer in ongoing criminal investigation into potential Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act violations.
- Represented European NGO in negotiated False Claims Act settlement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
- Represented several individuals and corporate entities in parallel investigations by Congress and Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Obtained the only probationary sentence imposed on an individual charged by Special Counsel Mueller in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
- Represented numerous employees in connection with various DOJ criminal antitrust investigations.
- Represented numerous employees in connection with various SEC enforcement investigations.
- Represented former employees of a national health care provider named as a defendant in a federal False Claims Act qui tam action.
- Represented executive of large entertainment company in DOJ FCPA investigation that resulted in no criminal charges.
- Represented U.S.-based international manufacturer in Department of Commerce Inspector General investigation involving Middle East competitors.
- Represented defendant on federal civil rights and threats charges in a 5-day jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, where the trial judge stated on the record that throughout trial the lawyers “lived up to the highest standards” of the profession and that the closing arguments presented to the jury “were among the best that I’ve seen.”
- Represented corporate executive in wire fraud and procurement fraud jury trial involving extensive CIPA litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where opposing counsel stated that Mr. Sears’s summation to the jury was the “best closing argument” he had ever seen.
- Represented defendant in a 3-week jury trial on charges of wire fraud, false claims, bribery, and false statements in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented Navy official in conspiracy and fraud trial involving extensive CIPA litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Represented popular R&B recording artist on assault charges in D.C. Superior Court.
- Represented professional football player in NFL investigation regarding allegations of domestic assault.
BACKGROUND
Before entering law school, Mr. Sears worked in the financial services industry at a large corporation in Boston, Massachusetts. He later attended the American University, Washington College of Law where he graduated cum laude. Stuart is an active member of the American College of Trial Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
recognition
Stuart has been recognized for his litigation skills by several organizations and publications including induction as a Fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers and his recognition as one of the top lawyers in the D.C. metro area by The Best Lawyers in America, Washingtonian Magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Virginia Super Lawyers, and Northern Virginia Magazine.
ATTORNEYS
The attorneys of Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears bring deep experience, practical judgment, and vigorous advocacy to the matters we handle. Our lawyers include former federal prosecutors, former members of the Antitrust and Tax Divisions of the Department of Justice, and a former Assistant to the Solicitor General. We have tried cases large and small, have briefed and argued numerous appeals, and also have the skill and acumen to negotiate resolutions of matters when it is in the best interests of our clients. More detailed biographies of our attorneys are accessible below.