A. Scott Bolden
Partner
- T:
- +1 202 414 9266 (Washington, D.C.)
- F:
- +1 202 414 9299 (Washington, D.C.)
- E:
- abolden@reedsmith.com
- Vcard
A. Scott serves as the Managing Partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office and is a member of the Global Regulatory Enforcement Group. His practice focuses on complex civil and criminal defense litigation. As part of his multifaceted litigation practice, A. Scott has defended clients in the local and federal courts in connection with claims for fraud and breach of contract; employment discrimination; real estate tax; education matters; government contract disputes; tort claims and other commercial litigation matters.
With respect to his criminal practice, A. Scott has defended individuals and corporate clients in state and federal trials; grand jury proceedings; conducted internal investigations for major public and private corporations; advised clients on white collar criminal issues as well as corporate compliance with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and defended witnesses in depositions before House and Senate Investigation Committees.
For his work in defending his clients, A. Scott was recently recognized by the Washington Business Journal as the 2009 Top Lawyer in the White Collar Crime category while The Washington Post, following a recent court victory, declared A. Scott, Washington's newset "super lawyer" and the "go to lawyer" for individuals and corporations with issues against and before the federal and local governments.
Publications
- "Getting a Piece of the Stimulus," Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (May 2009)
- "Taking Full Advantage of Funding Opportunities," Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (August 21, 2008)
- Published a Case Note on "Constitutional Law -- The Fourth Amendment Protective Order for Non-Violent Fleeing Felons," Howard Law Journal, Vol. 29-I (1985)
- Has written a number of opinion editorials on business and political issues affecting the local economy which have been published in the Washington Post, Washington Times and the Washington Business Journal
Speeches / Presentations
- Lectured on civil and criminal procedure, white collar criminal defense issues, and trial advocacy at the University of Maryland and Howard University School of Law
- Frequently lectures on business and economic development issues to business and community groups, and has presented remarks on "The New Economy - The Changing Business Model" before a group of Dutch business leaders at the Brookings Institute
Experience
| 1991 | Reed Smith Office Managing Partner of the firm's Washington, D.C. office (2008 - present) |
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| — | New York County District Attorney's Office – Assistant District Attorney (1987-91) Served as lead counsel in numerous trials for both the State Criminal and Supreme Courts Presented complex criminal cases to grand juries, drafted complaints and pre-trial motions Participated in all aspects of criminal investigation, discovery and motion practice Drafted briefs and argued criminal appellate cases on behalf of the State of New York |
| — | Legal Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary Council of the District of Columbia (1990-91) |
| — | Judge Luke Moore of the District of Columbia Superior Court – Law Clerk (1986-87) |
| — | Appeared on CNN's "Both Sides," ABC's "20/20," WJLA Channel 7, WTTG Fox 5, WHUT's "DC Politics Hour," "This Is America" with Dennis Wholley, to discuss issues relating to civil and criminal cases pending in local and federal courts across the country |
Legal Education
| 1987 | J.D., Howard University School of Law Received a number of awards and scholarships Active contributor to the Howard Law Journal, published a Case Note on "Constitutional Law - The Fourth Amendment Protective Order for Non-Violent Fleeing Felons" (Howard Law Journal, Vol. 29-I, 1985) Participated in the National Moot Court Team and Board of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity |
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Undergraduate Education
| 1984 | B.A., cum laude, Morehouse College, Political Science |
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Professional Admissions / Qualifications
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court - District of Columbia
Professional Affiliations
- Federal City Council - Member, Executive Board
- Economic Club of Washington, D.C. – Member (1998 - present)
- Individual Development Corporation – Board of Directors (1999 - present)
- Council for Court Excellence – Member, Board of Directors
- D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Member, Board of Directors
- D.C. Democratic State Committee – Former Chair (2002-2004)
- D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Former Chairman (1998)
- District of Columbia Bar – Board of Governors (1999-2003)
- D.C. Water and Sewer Authority – Former Board Member
- Democratic National Committee – Former Committee Member
- District Court of the District of Columbia's Committee on Grievances – Member (1998-2003)
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member)
- Sequoia National Bank – Former Director (1998 - 2004)
- Greater D.C. Cares – Former Director
Interests
A. Scott lives in Washington, D.C., and is the proud parent of three daughters, Shayla and twins, McKenzie and McKay and a granddaughter, Ashanti.
Representative Matters
Civil/Commercial Litigation
- Successfully represented a significant number of developers and building owners in major real estate tax appeal litigation, including multi million dollar recoveries.
- Successfully represented a major non profit in recovering losses against a former executive who embezzled millions of dollars in federal and local funds.
- Defended a national lending institution in 1983 action for discrimination in contracting.
- Successfully defended government contract IT companies in employment discrimination cases.
- Obtained dismissal of claims in defending a large IT company against claims for license and ownership rights for the budgeting software used by major federal government agencies.
- Obtained favorable settlements in the representation of a major water utility company in major personal injury cases.
- Successfully defended $600 million public private partnership in waterfront lawsuit for breach of contract action.
- Represented sizable banking institution in claims for customer losses by union clients whose executives used the bank to defraud its membership of $5 million in union dues.
- Obtained dismissal of breach of contract claims against major entertainment and media companies.
- Successfully defended and obtained favorable settlements for fast food restaurants across the country sued for personal injuries in connection to spillage of "hot coffee" by customers.
- Successfully defended news and radio journalist and her media company employer in major lawsuit for defamation and libel.
- Defended and advised multmedia and cable television company on First Amendment and right to privacy issues in connection to watchdog and religious protesters in front of the personal home of the company's President and CEO.
Criminal Defense Litigation
- Sought and obtained dismissal of all charges against one of the lead defendants in a $50 million theft from the District of Columbia Tax & Pension Office -- the largest tax fraud case in the history of the nation's capital.
- Successfully defended police officers against charges of corruption in connection with their protection of the Mayor of the District of Columbia.
- Represented three former mayors of the District of Columbia in charges of local and federal campaign finance violations.
- Represented numerous Clinton presidential appointees as witnesses in congressional and federal investigations of corruption, FEC violations and influence peddling.
- Conducted numerous internal investigations on behalf of major government IT and defense contracting companies under investigation and/or charged with fraud, forgery and false statements.
- Successfully defended former campaign manager for the Mayor of the District of Columbia against charges of fraud in connection to the submission of falsified names listed on nomination petitions submitted to the DC Board of Elections and Ethics.
- Defended major bank in DC against criminal allegations that its employees facilitated the embezzlement of $5 million dollars in union dues.
- Advised and counseled major 501c3 through parallel local and federal investigations into criminal charges of fraud, forgery and embezzlement of grant funds.
- Successfully represented small medium and large business organizations in federal criminal tax investigations and prosecutions by the Department of Justice.
- Represented numerous elected representatives, government officials and corporate executives charged with misdemeanors and felonies by the US attorney and DC office of the attorney general.
Awards
- 100 Fathers' Best Father's Award (2008)
- DC Public School Community Service Award, Jefferson Junior High School (2006)
- DC Distinguished Public Service Award (2003)
- DC Bar Board of Governor's Service Recognition (2002)
- DC WASA Board Member Recognition (2000)
- DC Chamber of Commerce President's Award (1999)
- Leadership Washington Graduate (1997)
- DC American Lung Association Community Service Award (1994-95)
- Dollar and Sense Magazine's Outstanding Business and Service Award (1993)
- Ebony Magazine's Under 30 Next 50 To Watch (1992)
- NAACP Outstanding Commitment to Civil Rights Award (1990)
- DC Business Magazine's 40 Under 40 Bold Leadership Award
- DC Agenda Community Service Award