A. Scott Bolden is a prominent trial and white collar defense lawyer whom companies and individuals turn to for representation in their most significant concerns. Scott has handled some of the most high-profile matters for elected officials, business leaders, athletes, and entertainers in and outside the nation’s capital. He is also very comfortable handling such matters on the national stage. Scott is particularly adept at assisting clients in navigating crises that present significant legal, business, and reputational risks. Scott previously served as managing partner of the Washington, D.C., office and as an at-large member on the firm's executive committee.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Successfully obtained a re-sentencing of time served for the lead defendant in the largest health care fraud case in the history of the United States after the defendant had been convicted on 20 felony counts, after the president of the United States had commuted his 20-year sentence, and after the Department of Justice sought to retry him on the six remaining hung counts from his original trial.
Defended a state government contractor charged with fraud, embezzlement, theft and racketeering with co-defendant, the former Senate Majority Leader in the state of New Mexico.
Defended a Maryland elected state attorney against charges of federal criminal tax evasion brought by the Department of Justice.
Successfully obtained a re-sentencing of time served for the lead defendant in the largest health care fraud case in the history of the United States after the defendant had been convicted on 20 felony counts, after the president of the United States had commuted his 20-year sentence, and after the Department of Justice sought to retry him on the six remaining hung counts from his original trial.
Defended a state government contractor charged with fraud, embezzlement, theft and racketeering with co-defendant, the former Senate Majority Leader in the state of New Mexico.
Defended a Maryland elected state attorney against charges of federal criminal tax evasion brought by the Department of Justice.
Defended a former Democratic leader from an eastern European country seeking asylum in the United States, while fending off criminal charges of money laundering, bank fraud, and other alleged crimes brought against him by foreign government officials.
Successfully defended large real estate advisory company and its CEO in parallel proceedings against the SEC, DOJ, and civil claims brought by a Michigan pension fund.
Successfully defended a wealthy African businessman and his companies in parallel proceedings involving DOJ civil and criminal proceedings, as well as the IRS for financial structuring claims – the largest such case in the history of Virginia and the Fourth Circuit.
Defended the former emergency manager of Flint, Michigan under indictment for charges of conspiracy, fraud, and criminal negligence in connection with the Flint water crisis.
Defended the “third” White House dinner crasher under investigation by the Secret Service and DOJ for fraud and possible violations of federal law.
Sought and obtained dismissal of all charges against one of the lead defendants in a $50 million theft from the District of Columbia Office of Tax & Revenue – the largest tax fraud case in the history of the nation's capital.
Successfully defended high-profile NFL football player under federal investigation for sexual assault and witness tampering charges.
Led the defense of a large aerospace company under investigation by OSHA and the EPA for alleged safety and environmental violations in connection with the use and handling of hex chromium products on several U.S. Air Force bases around the country.
Prosecuted trade secret, conspiracy, and breach of contract claims for a multibillion-dollar aerospace company in federal district court and the Eleventh Circuit.
Defended one of the largest real estate companies in the United States in a targeted civil OIG investigation of the company regarding performance issues and whether the company acted in bad faith and committed fraud in brokering rental agreements on behalf of a U.S. government agency.
Successfully settled a multimillion-dollar government contract claim against the chief financial officer of the District of Columbia for a Fortune 500, publicly traded IT company whose contract was terminated for cause.
Successfully obtained a multimillion-dollar settlement of federal and state claims on behalf of a former MLB player wrongfully charged, convicted, and incarcerated for 27 years in a state penitentiary.
Lead attorney on a team of firm lawyers/investigators investigating allegations of human trafficking at the largest hotel chain in the United States and Canada.
On behalf of plaintiff members, prosecuted several claims of fraud, theft, and embezzlement against the largest African American sorority in the country.
Defended a healthcare data collection company before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis regarding the award of a multimillion-dollar HHS contract; data on COVID-19 statistics, instead of the CDC.
Defended a high-profile Georgian businessman in the Mueller investigation and before the House and Senate Intelligence committees.
Defended large political polling, marketing, and advertising company in a House investigation into possible misconduct pertaining to improper letter writing advocacy campaign to influence a federal agency’s decision-making process.
Defended the former emergency manager for Flint Michigan in oversight and investigatory hearings before the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee.
Recognitions
- National Bar Association’s O.T. Wells, Sr. Leadership Award (2025)
- National Bar Association’s Exemplary Service and Leadership in the Community and Beyond Award (2024)
- President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree (2022)
Credentials
Education
Education
- Howard University School of Law, 1987, J.D., received a number of awards and scholarships
- Morehouse College, 1984, B.A., received a number of awards and scholarships
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Illinois
Court admissions
Court admissions
- Supreme Court - United States
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court - District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Harris 2024 National Finance Committee (NFC) – Member (2024)
- National Bar Association Political Action Committee – Chairman, Board of Directors (2017)
- Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies – Member, Board of Governors (2013 - present)
- Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia – Member, Board of Directors (2012 - 2015)
- Economic Club of Washington, D.C. – Member (1998 - present)
- Harvard Law School – Trial Adjunct Professor (2019 - present)
- Howard University School of Law – Member, Board of Visitors (2011 - present)
- Federal City Council - Member, Executive Board (2008 - 2013)
- Candidate for D.C. Council, At Large (2006)
- Individual Development Corporation – Board of Directors (1999 - 2013)
- D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Former Member, Board of Directors (1998 - 2013)
- D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Former Chairman (1998)
- District of Columbia Bar – Board of Governors (1999 - 2003)
- D.C. Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee – Chairman (2000 - 2002)
- D.C. Democratic State Committee – Former Chair (2002 - 2004)
- D.C. Water and Sewer Authority – Former Board Member (1998 - 2002)
- District Court of the District of Columbia's Committee on Grievances – Member (1998 - 2003)
- Sequoia National Bank – Former Director (1998 - 2004)
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member)
Clerkships
Clerkships
- Superior Court - District of Columbia, Judge Luke Moore
Media mentions
1 / 10
Insights
Public Appearances
- Regularly appears on every major cable network to discuss race, politics, and the law, including: CNN’s “Newsroom,” “New Day,” “The Lead with Jake Tapper,” and the “Situation Room”; MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” “The Beat with Ari Melber,” “Up With David Gura,” and MSNBC Live”; Fox News’s "Happening Now,” “The Ingraham Angle,” “Fox News at Night with Shannon Bream,” and “Tucker Carlson Tonight”; TV ONE’s “NewsOne Now”; and Fox Business Network’s “Trish Regan PrimeTime,” “Cavuto: Coast to Coast,” and “Lou Dobbs Tonight.” He has also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” ESPN, "Roland Martin Unfiltered," and multiple local networks. Additionally, he offers commentary on social media: @asbthelaw.
- Regularly provides political and legal analysis on CNN, Fox National News, and MSNBC relating to Republican and Democratic politics, as well as, commentary on civil and criminal cases pending in local and federal courts across the country.