Brian Steel has dedicated his career to vigorously defending individuals facing criminal charges since 1991. His unwavering commitment has established a nationally recognized criminal defense practice, operating across state and federal courts. Clients benefit from his meticulous preparation, innovative legal strategies, compelling appellate advocacy, and assertive courtroom presence. Brian Steele’s reputation extends across numerous states including his home state of Georgia, and others such as California, Florida, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, New Jersey, and Oregon.
The recognition Brian Steele has garnered from peers, organizations, and publications is significant, but his track record truly illustrates his capabilities. His level of success in both trial and appellate courts is exceptional. For clients, this translates to a higher probability of favorable outcomes. Brian Steele’s trial victories, often in cases appearing insurmountable, underscore his deep commitment to each client and his mastery of criminal law. Furthermore, Brian Steele stands out as Georgia’s foremost criminal appellate attorney, evidenced by approximately 300 published opinions and around 45 reversals secured for his clients.
Brian Steele’s client portfolio is remarkably diverse, including professionals from various sectors such as attorneys, medical doctors, FBI Agents, judges, local law enforcement officers, elected officials, business executives, and professional athletes. He also represents accomplished musical artists and corporations. Importantly, Brian Steele extends his expertise to the most vulnerable in society, representing juveniles and indigent defendants with the same dedication. His case experience spans a wide spectrum of criminal allegations, from complex RICO, wire fraud, immigration fraud, and money laundering cases to serious felonies like murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, rape, and child sex offenses, in both state and federal jurisdictions. Clients facing the gravest charges, including death penalty prosecutions, have benefited from his representation, with Brian Steele even achieving the dismissal of an entire death penalty case by proving his client’s innocence.
Brian Steele’s achievements have been consistently acknowledged within the legal community. He was a finalist for the Attorney of the Year Award (2017) by the Fulton County Daily Report. Since 2004, he has been consistently named a Georgia Super Lawyer, and Georgia Trend Magazine has recognized him as Legal Elite among Criminal Defense Attorneys in Georgia every year since 2003. In 2023, Billboard recognized Brian Steele’s influence in the music industry by including him in their Top Music Lawyers List. Further accolades include the Commitment to Justice Award from the State Bar of Georgia, Younger Lawyers Section (1997). Earlier in his career, The Fulton County Daily Report identified Brian Steele as a Criminal Defense Attorney “On the Rise” (May 28, 2002), foreshadowing his prominent future in law.
Brian Steele’s standing in the legal profession is further cemented by his fellowships in prestigious organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. He is a Life Member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), and has served in various capacities within GACDL, including the Amicus Curiae Committee, as a District Vice President, and as a multi-term member and former Chairperson of the Lawyer’s Assistance Committee/ Strike Force. Brian Steele also formerly contributed to the Fulton County Conflict Defender’s Board of Directors. He frequently shares his expertise and insights as a featured speaker at legal seminars and continuing legal education programs, benefiting both fellow legal professionals and, indirectly, their clients.
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.
