When a criminal defense attorney challenges a sitting judge and faces contempt charges for protecting client rights, it makes headlines nationwide.

Brian Steel’s famous cases have consistently placed him at the center of legal controversies that reshape American criminal defense practice, earning him recognition as Georgia’s most successful criminal appellate attorney with nearly 300 published opinions.

From representing high-profile celebrities in complex RICO prosecutions to proving client innocence in death penalty cases, Steel’s approach to criminal defense combines persistent ethical standards with strategic legal expertise that has influenced courts across Georgia and beyond.

Who is Brian Steel?

Born on May 16, 1965, in New York City, Steel earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1987, followed by his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 1990.

Steel began his legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in Fulton County, Atlanta (1991-1993), before transitioning to private practice. He co-founded Wolfe & Steel, P.C., then established The Steel Law Firm, P.C. in 1997.

Key aspects of Brian Steel’s practice:

• Case Types: Handles federal RICO prosecutions, white-collar crimes, and serious felony matters
• Client Representation: Represents individuals in high-profile cases and constitutional challenges
• Professional Recognition: Member of American College of Trial Lawyers and American Board of Criminal Lawyers
• Client Reversals: Has achieved 45 successful appellate reversals for clients

Steel maintains distinctive professional standards in his courtroom conduct.

According to lawyer David Botts:

“Brian doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke and can’t believe anybody would. He won’t curse, even in court, even if he’s reading from a transcript. So when he’s cross-examining, he’ll say, ‘So-and-so F-word.’ The court will say, ‘Mr. Steel, you can read that word.’ But Brian still won’t do it.”

Professional Expertise of the Attorney Brian Steel

Steel began his legal career as a tax attorney before transitioning to criminal defense work.

He has earned recognition from professional organizations, including the Georgia Super Lawyer designation since 2004 and Fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

His Life Member status in the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers reflects his involvement in the state’s criminal defense bar.

Steel’s practice encompasses both state and federal jurisdictions, handling cases involving RICO violations, wire fraud, immigration fraud, money laundering, violent crimes, and sex offenses.

His client base includes medical professionals, law enforcement officers, elected officials, business executives, and individuals requiring appointed counsel.

His approach to criminal defense combines thorough case investigation with appellate advocacy.

Steel’s published appellate opinions contribute to Georgia criminal law precedent in areas including constitutional protections, evidentiary issues, and procedural requirements.

Brian Steel Famous Cases: Notable Victories and Acquittals

Brian Steel’s notable cases encompass high-profile celebrity defense, representation of government officials, and capital murder dismissals.

His successful outcomes include securing releases in complex RICO prosecutions, achieving partial federal acquittals, and proving client innocence in death penalty cases.

1. Brian Steel High Profile Cases

Young Thug (Jeffery Williams) YSL RICO Case

Brian Steel represented rapper Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams in the YSL racketeering prosecution, which became Georgia’s longest criminal trial.

The case lasted nearly two years and involved multiple defendants facing RICO charges.

The prosecution alleged that YSL (Young Stoner Life) operated as a criminal street gang under Georgia’s RICO statute.

The indictment included allegations of drug trafficking and violent crimes, with prosecutors using song lyrics as evidence of criminal communications and gang activity.

During the trial, Steel identified ex parte communications between Superior Court Judge Ural D. Glanville, prosecutors, and a witness. Steel objected to these proceedings as violations of due process and attorney-client privilege.

Judge Glanville held Steel in contempt of court for his objections to the ex parte meetings.

The Georgia Supreme Court addressed the judicial conduct issues, resulting in Judge Glanville’s removal from the case. Steel’s contempt citation was resolved following the judicial reassignment.

The final verdict was reached in late 2024 under Judge Paige Reese Whitaker.

Williams entered a non-negotiated guilty plea to racketeering, gang activity, and weapon possession charges. He was sentenced to time served after spending over 2.5 years in custody and was released with 15 years of probation and a “backloaded” 20-year sentence that could be enforced if he violates probation.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Federal Sex Trafficking Case

Steel filed a notice joining Sean “Diddy” Combs’ defense team on April 15, just weeks before the rapper appeared before potential jurors on May 5.

Combs has been charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution in a federal indictment.

Combs has maintained his innocence and faces a minimum of 15 years behind bars or a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty.

Steel’s role involved coordinating with other defense attorneys while applying his federal court experience to the case. His background in appellate advocacy provided the defense team with expertise in preserving issues for potential appeal proceedings.

Trial Outcome and Verdict:

The trial began on May 5, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, under the supervision of Judge Arun Subramanian. After jury selection and six weeks of testimony involving 34 witnesses, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, deliberations began on June 30, 2025.

On July 2, 2025, after three days of deliberation, the jury delivered a mixed verdict:

• Not Guilty: Racketeering conspiracy (which carried a potential life sentence)
• Not Guilty: Sex trafficking charges involving both alleged victims
• Guilty: Two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution (maximum 10 years each)

The defense team, led by Marc Agnifilo and including Steel, executed a successful strategy that resonated with jurors on the most serious charges.

Steel and the defense team were praised by legal colleagues as achieving “another win” in what attorneys called prosecutorial overreach using RICO charges.

Combs was denied bail pending sentencing, with prosecutors seeking 4-5 years imprisonment. The verdict was seen as a significant victory for the defense, avoiding the life sentences that could have resulted from the more serious charges.

2. Justice System Professional Defense

Brian Steel, an attorney, has represented judges, FBI agents, district attorneys, prosecutors, and elected officials facing criminal charges across state and federal courts.

Steel has represented former DeKalb County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Becker and former Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Schrader in cases involving professional misconduct and corruption allegations that carry consequences beyond criminal penalties.

Steel defended a federal agent accused of accepting bribes by challenging the government’s use of undercover operations and arguing the defendant’s actions fell within legitimate law enforcement activities, resulting in acquittal on corruption charges.

His representation of political figures requires managing public scrutiny and media attention while addressing legal defense and reputational concerns.

3. Life-or-Death Cases and Major Victories

Steel has achieved complete dismissals in death penalty prosecutions by proving client innocence.

According to his firm’s records, Brian Steel is “Georgia’s most successful criminal appellate attorney, with around 300 published opinions and approximately 45 reversals to his credit.”

In one notable death penalty case, Steel challenged forensic evidence through independent experts and crime scene analysis.

This exposed critical flaws in the prosecution’s case that resulted in complete exoneration and dismissal of capital charges.

4. Corporate and White-Collar Defense

Steel represents medical professionals facing criminal charges and licensing implications.

In one notable case, he represented a physician facing federal healthcare fraud charges by challenging the government’s expert testimony and demonstrating that billing practices fell within accepted medical standards, resulting in a complete acquittal.

Steel also represents business executives in white-collar criminal cases.

His defense of a corporate executive facing securities fraud charges involved analyzing financial documentation and challenging the government’s interpretation of business transactions, achieving a resolution that avoided criminal conviction while minimizing regulatory penalties.

Steel’s Influence on Criminal Defense

Brian Steel, an attorney, has contributed to criminal defense practice through his appellate work and professional involvement.

His published opinions have established legal precedent in Georgia criminal law, and his professional activities have influenced defense practice standards.

Steel’s contributions to the legal profession include:

• Creates legal precedent through published appellate opinions, benefiting future defendants in Georgia courts
• Participates in the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers leadership and ethical guideline development
• Addresses First Amendment issues in criminal prosecutions involving artistic expression as evidence
• Provides continuing legal education to criminal defense attorneys through professional seminars
• Contributes to the appellate court’s understanding of constitutional protections in criminal cases
• Represents clients in cases that establish procedural precedents for judicial conduct and due process

The Bottom Line

Brian Steel’s legal career demonstrates that effective criminal defense requires more than courtroom skills.

His success stems from thorough investigation, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to due process. From defending medical professionals to challenging forensic evidence in capital cases, Steel’s methodology consistently yields favorable outcomes.

The legal community has benefited from Steel’s contributions to appellate law and professional education.

His work has created pathways for other attorneys to challenge prosecutorial overreach and protect defendant rights in complex criminal matters.

Steel’s career illustrates how one attorney can influence both individual lives and broader legal systems through dedicated practice and principled representation.

His methods continue to shape criminal defense standards across multiple jurisdictions.

What aspects of Steel’s defense strategies do you find most compelling? Share your thoughts in the comments section about effective criminal advocacy.