Stanley J. Reed

Stanley Reed is an attorney who heads Lerch, Early & Brewer's Litigation group in Bethesda, Maryland. His diverse law practice includes the representation of individuals and corporations in complex civil and employment litigation, white-collar criminal defense work, and the representation of lawyers and health care providers in professional responsibility matters. Stan also is noted for his adept handling of politically sensitive cases, grand jury investigations and parallel proceedings.

Stan is one of just a handful of attorneys in Maryland recognized for excellence in litigation in multiple legal directories based on client and peer reviews. Chambers USA has named Stan a "Leader in His Field" in General Commercial Litigation every year since 2007. Since then, he also has been included in Best Lawyers in America each year. He is recognized in the fields of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: Non-White-Collar, and Best Lawyers named him Washington, DC’s Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law "Lawyer of the Year" in 2013. Stan also is listed as a top litigator in the Maryland, Washington, DC and Business editions of Super Lawyers magazine.

Stan was named one of "Washington's Top Trial Lawyers" by Washingtonian magazine in 2007, one of their "Elite Criminal Defenders" in 2009, a "Star of the Bar" for Crime and Punishment in 2011, and one of “Washington’s Top Legal Minds” for Criminal Defense in 2013. In 2012, the Litigation Counsel of America selected Stan as an LCA Fellow based on his effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and on his superior ethical reputation. The LCA is a highly selective trial lawyer honorary society whose membership is limited to less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Of the many thousands of lawyers in Maryland, fewer than 70 are LCA Fellows.

Prior to joining Lerch Early in 1984, Stan gained extensive trial and appellate experience from his work in Public Defender's Offices in Vermont, Michigan and the District of Columbia, and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Maryland. He also served as law clerk to the Honorable Harold H. Greene, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Stan has spoken on a variety of federal criminal and civil law topics, as well as on legal ethics, at professional seminars and conferences. He also served as an adjunct professor of law at the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America. He formerly served as chair of the Federal Practice Section of the Montgomery County Bar Association, and he is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Maryland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He is a permanent member of the 4th Circuit Judicial Conference.

Stan attended Brandeis University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School. He is a member of the Maryland and District of Columbia bars, as well as the U.S. District Courts for Maryland and D.C., the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the District of Columbia and Fourth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

According to sources in Chambers USA, Stan is "the guy you want on your side--he has the experience and the breadth of knowledge." (Chambers USA 2010) The Chambers directory wrote, “‘Careful and honest,’ Stanley Reed is highly respected by clients and peers, particularly for his white-collar work. Sources agree that his extensive success in court stems from his ‘extraordinary sincerity and integrity.’ Clients say they feel comfortable with Reed, as ‘he makes us party to strategy and educates us before we enter the courtroom.’” (Chambers USA 2007) They and his peers "admire his diligence and straightforward approach." (Chambers USA 2009) The Chambers USA legal directory identifies and ranks the United States’ best lawyers and law firms based on in-depth, objective research. The rankings assess technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by clients.

Stan enjoys playing tennis, kayaking and Washington Capitals hockey.