Atty. Stuart A. Sears
Stuart Sears is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on criminal and white collar defense. Before joining Schertler & Onorato LLP, Mr.
Criminal Defense: General Practice Attorney · Serving Washington, DC
Profile Summary
About Stuart A. Sears at a Glance
Stuart A. Sears is a criminal defense attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Schertler Onorato Mead Sears & Manning. Educated at American University Washington College of Law (J.D., 2007). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serves clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Stuart A. Sears
- Stuart Sears is an experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on criminal and white collar defense
- Before joining Schertler & Onorato LLP, Mr. Sears was a partner at a law firm in Alexandria, Virginia, where he represented individuals in a wide array of federal and state criminal proceedings
- Mr. Sears's broad defense experience includes representing individuals charged with health care fraud, false claims, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, illegal structuring, and mortgage fraud
- Mr. Sears has extensive trial experience in Virginia and the federal courts and has obtained acquittals before both judges and juries
- Mr. Sears has also advised numerous clients during government investigations, including targets and subjects of grand jury proceedings
- In addition to his trial and investigative defense work, Mr. Sears has represented individuals in various post-conviction proceedings, including direct appeals, petitions for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, and writs of habeas corpus
- Among his successes in this area, Mr. Sears litigated a post-conviction motion under 28 U.S.C. 2255 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia that resulted in vacation of the client's convictions due to constitutionally ineffective advice that the client's former counsel had rendered in the plea negotiation process
- Mr. Sears also won a remand of a client's sentencing in the United States Supreme Court
- Prior to entering law school, Mr. Sears worked in the financial services sector at a large corporation in Boston, Massachusetts
- He later attended the American University Washington College of Law where he graduated cum laude
- Mr. Sears is an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and serves as Vice President of the Alexandria Bar Foundation
Practice Areas Explained
Stuart A. Sears's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stuart A. Sears handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Washington.
Criminal Defense in Washington
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Stuart A. Sears is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Washington
Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Washington Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Washington-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Washington Choose Stuart A. Sears
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Stuart A. Sears's practice in the field of criminal defense.
Focused Criminal Defense Practice
Concentrating on criminal defense means Stuart A. Sears's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Washington
A Washington-based practice means Stuart A. Sears attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Stuart A. Sears's Practice Areas & Specializations
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