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Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears, LLP

United States 2024

Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears, LLP, is an established boutique litigation firm located in Washington, D.C. Founding partners David Schertler and Danny Onorato, both former federal prosecutors, are widely recognized as among the top white-collar and non-white-collar criminal defense attorneys in the Washington area and nationwide. They regularly represent individuals and entities in criminal investigations and proceedings in the United States and abroad, including corporate internal investigations, agency enforcement matters, and high-profile trials. Within their firm, Mr. Schertler and Mr. Onorato have assembled a team of accomplished attorneys who include practitioners in civil and tax litigation, federal and state appellate litigation, whistleblower and qui tam representations, professional liability and disciplinary matters, local and federal administrative proceedings, public sector employment issues, and record sealing and expungement law.

Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears and its attorneys have been recognized within the Bar and among their peers for their legal skills and courtroom accomplishments. The firm has repeatedly earned a prestigious "first tier" ranking from Best Law Firms for its white-collar and non-white-collar criminal defense practice. In addition, Mr. Schertler, Mr. Onorato, and other firm lawyers have been recognized as outstanding lawyers in their fields in numerous professional surveys, including Best Lawyers in America, Washingtonian magazine's "Best Lawyers" and "Top 30 Lawyers" lists, and "Super Lawyers." Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears takes pride in these accolades and in representing its clients with zeal, efficiency, and integrity.

Rankings

Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears, LLP is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and metro ranked in 5 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

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National Rankings

Tier 3
Tier 3 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 3 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Metro Rankings

Washington, D.C.
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: General Practice
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 3 for Litigation - Securities

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 3
Tier 3 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 3 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Regional Rankings

Washington, D.C.
Tier 1 for Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: General Practice
Tier 1 for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Tier 3 for Litigation - Securities

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Antitrust Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Civil Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Fraud
  • Litigation - Antitrust
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Qui Tam Law
  • Sports Law
  • Tax Law
  • White-Collar Criminal Defense

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears, LLP has 8 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears, LLP eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Office Locations

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