Mark E. Schamel

Partner
Mark Schamel

Mark Schamel represents individuals and corporations in complex civil litigation matters, white collar criminal defense, and government investigations. Mark has tried more than 30 civil and criminal cases to verdict in state and federal courts nationwide and has managed expansive fraud cases, traditional criminal cases, and bet-the-company investigations. Mark's trials are often weeks long, complex trials in federal court, with other shorter bench trials in state courts. He represents companies, boards of directors, and individuals (from C-suite to senior management) in matters from securities to breach of contract.

Mark has handled many matters as the lead trial lawyer on teams of specialists in litigation involving Clean Water Act violations, real estate and construction matters, election law, and various specialized areas for private and public companies.

Mark regularly deals with enforcement matters before federal regulatory agencies as the trial lead for other practice areas within the firm. Often consulted and hired to step in for counsel for matters that are going to go to trial, Mark will parachute in to lead a trial team when mediation or negotiation breaks down. While Mark is often able to stop an investigation or a suit before it is public, it is the fact that Mark is a proven courtroom advocate with an impressive list of successes that makes him the lawyer that clients and other lawyers turn to when it is time to pick a jury.

Mark is experienced in handling civil cases for clients in a wide variety of industries, including real estate, construction, and finance. He also frequently represents state and federal law enforcement officers, elected officials, and community leaders and considers being hired by lawyers and agents he has worked against as the greatest compliment.

Insights

Credentials
+

Education

  • J.D. Boston University School of Law 1998
  • B.S. Political Science and History State University of New York at Brockport 1995

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
    • Member, White Collar Crime Committee
    • Member, Sentencing Committee
    • Representative, ABA Committee on Standards and Policy
    • Former elected member, Board of Directors
  • Adjunct professor of law, The George Washington University Law School, 2009 – 2023

Recognition
+

  • The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2021 – 2025
  • Super Lawyers
    • Top 100, Washington, DC, 2016
    • Defense: White Collar, 2011 – 2022
    • Criminal Defense, 2011 – 2022
    • Civil Litigation, 2011 – 2022
  • Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, District of Columbia, 2018 – 2024

Community
+

Pro Bono

  • Provided extensive pro bono work for the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project

Volunteerism

  • Past board member, Sparkle Effect
  • Past board member, Brockport Foundation Board

Personal Activities

  • Mark lives in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC with his wife, two kids, and their two huge dogs. He is an assistant coach for 8-year-old basketball and a dedicated soccer dad