Steve Sadow
Attorney Profile
Top Rated White Collar Crimes Attorney in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA 30303
- Criminal Defense: White Collar (50%),
- Criminal Defense (50%)
The Best Lawyer Bobby Lee Cook Has Seen
What criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow knows can acquit you
Steven H. Sadow is a nationally known, high-profile criminal defense attorney who has been practicing law for 35 years. He is a sole practitioner at his firm, Steven H. Sadow, P.C., and special counsel for the Atlanta-based law firm Schulten Ward & Turner, LLP, where he serves as head of the firm's white collar and high-profile criminal defense section. Mr. Sadow's criminal trial and appellate practice focuses on the following offenses: white collar, cyber/computer, fraud, tax, RICO, drugs, firearms, murder, and forfeiture.
Several of Mr. Sadow's cases have drawn national media coverage. Television networks such as Court TV, NBC and A&E have featured his cases. Mr. Sadow obtained an acquittal for his client Joe Sweeting, who was tried along with former NFL football star Ray Lewis for two murders that occurred during a post-2000 Super Bowl brawl in Atlanta. -
In one of the most high-profile federal cases in Georgia history, Mr. Sadow successfully defended Steve Kaplan, the former owner of the notorious Gold Club strip establishment, against RICO conspiracy charges. Mr. Sadow also obtained what commentators have called a "miracle" outcome for rap/entertainment artist "TI" after he was charged with federal firearms offenses in Atlanta.
Mr. Sadow won an acquittal for Howard K. Stern, the attorney and boyfriend of the late playmate and model Anna Nicole Smith, who was charged with criminal conspiracy and prescription drug fraud in Los Angeles. Steve Sadow - A Real "Discovery"; Judge Frees Stern and Doctor.
Mr. Sadow successfully represented rap artist & business mogul Rick Ross, who was charged in Georgia with violent felonies carrying life sentences. After the Judge heard testimony surrounding the alleged incident, the prosecutor dropped and reduced charges, no contest pleas were entered and he was sentenced to misdemeanor probation.
In May 2019, Mr. Sadow defended a businessman charged with 30 counts of mail & wire fraud and 10 counts of money laundering in federal court in PA. His client’s business was alleged to have paid 5.1M in kickbacks over 22 years to a VP at Rite Aid Corp. in return for 45M in vendor sales. The VP and his client’s sole partner plead guilty and testified against him. The defense called no witnesses and his client did not testify. The jury found his client not guilty on all counts. He was facing 700 years in prison and 15M in forfeiture and restitution.
A 1979 graduate of Emory University School of Law, Mr. Sadow has been listed in Best Lawyers in America* since 1993 and is rated AV-Preeminent** by Martindale-Hubbell, the organization's highest peer-reviewed rating.
Mr. Sadow has NEVER been a prosecutor. He has devoted his entire career to defending the accused.
*The Best Lawyers in America® 2010. Copyright 2009 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC
**AV-Preeminent and BV-Distinguished are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
- 50%Criminal Defense: White Collar
- 50%Criminal Defense
White Collar Crime, Criminal Law
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About Steve Sadow
Admitted: 1979, Georgia
Professional Webpage: http://www.swtlaw.com/steven-h-sadow
Honors/Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense (White Collar and Non-White Collar), 1993 to present
- Selected by Atlanta Magazine as one of Atlanta’s 500 “Most Powerful Leaders”, Atlanta Magazine, 2020
- AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- Georgia Lawyer Newsmaker of the Year - Fulton County Daily Report, Atlanta, Georgia (2000)
Bar/Professional Activity:
- State Bar of Georgia
- Georgia, 1979
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- Member, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
- Member, Atlanta Bar Association
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Mr. Sadow choses to give back to the community by representing the unfairly or falsely accused for free. He typically picks these cases based on media reports that strongly suggest the accused needs his expertise and skill to avoid an injustice but can't afford to hire the right lawyer. For example: Sadow: Serious Problems with Crowell's Traffic Stop; Crowell Gun Charges Dropped; Raquel Nelson Back in Court with High Profile Lawyer at her Defense (Ms. Nelson later pled no contest to a jaywalking ticket and paid a $200 fine)
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- The Truth – What really happened in the murder trial of Ray Lewis, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting, Atlanta Magazine, February 2013
- "Mortgage Fraud Claims: How mortgage brokers can legally protect themselves.", National Mortgage Broker Magazine, July 2008
- White Collar Crime in Focus 'Gall' Gives Defendants Real Option To Stand Trial, National Law Journal, March 2008
- Turning The Prosecution Witness: Making The Witness Your Own, Chapter 9, Take The Witness: The Experts Speak On Cross-Examination, Juris Publishing, Inc. (2006)
- Creative and Effective Trial Techniques, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia
- "Judge Calls Prosecution's Witnesses Liars. Money-Laundering Sentence Downgraded By 20 Years."
- White Collar Crime Conference, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia
- Law of Cross-Examination, GACDL
- Who's Your Worst Enemy-The Government or Co-Counsel, GACDL
- Financial Transactions/Money Laundering; NACDL-Federal Forfeiture, GACDL
- Motions to Suppress: Search and Seizure Issues, State Bar of Georgia
- Exploiting The Errors Of The Prosecution, State Bar of Georgia
- Voir Dire in the Criminal Trial: How to Level the Playing Field, Atlanta Bar Association
- T.I. 'Ain't No Such Thing As A Secret Snitch' – The Untold Story Behind the Deal
- "A Wink, A Smile: How Gold Club Defendants Bonded With Jury."
- Beginning of Steve Sadow's Closing Argument in California v. Howard K. Stern (2011)
Verdicts/Settlements:
- U.S. v. Taylor - Businessman found not guilty (40 counts) in 45M fraud & money laundering trial (M.D. Pa. 2019)
- Georgia v. Roberts, a/k/a "Rick Ross" - world renowned rap artist/entertainer facing life imprisonment for kidnapping and violent felonies against multiple victims. Pled no contest to misdemeanor probation (2017)
- California v. Stern - Attorney charged with 11 counts of prescription drug fraud and conspiracy - jury acquitted on 9 charges after 2 1/2 month trial - judge dismissed remaining charges (2015)
- U.S. v. Alamin - Businesswoman charged with structuring currency transactions involving over $2 million - sentenced to probation (N.D. Ga. 2008)
- Georgia v. San Juan Powell – Georgia Sodomy Law Held Unconstitutional
- U.S. v. Patel - Businessman charged with bribery with $700,000+ loss - sentenced to 6 months imprisonment and 6 months home detention (N.D. Ga. 2014)
- Georgia v. Champine - Pharmacist charged with felony drug and gun charges - pled nolo and sentenced to probation on misdemeanors (2013)
- Georgia v. Conzo - RICO prosecution dismissed (2007)
- Georgia v. Alvarado - Former law enforcement officer charged with felony sexual offenses carrying mandatory prison terms - suspended sentence imposed on misdemeanor nolo plea (2009)
- Georgia v. McGhee - Businessman charged with trafficking in marijuana (60+ lbs) and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony - sentenced to probation (2013)
- U.S. v. Shorr - Businessman stood trial on ten counts of money laundering involving more than $3.5 million. Judge acquitted on eight counts and convicted on two counts. Federal prosecutors sought 20+ years imprisonment. Judge sentenced to 5 months imprisonment and 5 months home detention (N.D. Ga. 2009)
- Georgia v. Nelson - Pedestrian mother whose 4-year old child was struck and killed after they entered a roadway outside a crosswalk charged with homicide by vehicle and reckless conduct - pled no contest to jaywalking & paid a $200 fine - homicide and reckless conduct charges dismissed (2013)
- U.S. v. Marshall - Businesswoman charged with $1.5 million fraud - sentencing guidelines advised 2+ years in prison - sentenced to 1 month imprisonment (N.D. Ga. 2008)
- Georgia v. Adams - College student charged with murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony in Savannah, GA. After fighting the case for 3+ years, the charges were reduced to hindering the apprehension of a criminal, making client immediately eligible for parole (2014)
- Georgia v. Adams - Murder conviction reversed by GA Supreme Court (2013)
- U.S. v. H... - Chiropractor investigated for medicaid and private health care fraud - corporation entered plea - individual was not prosecuted (S.D. Ill. 2014)
- Georgia v. Crowell - Star college football play charged with multiple gun offenses - case dismissed before indictment (2013)
- Georgia v. Wong - Murder case dismissed for constitutional speedy trial violation (2010)
- Georgia v. Gilllispie - Father arrested for aggravated sex offenses - faced 25 year mandatory minimum sentence - judge sentenced to probation (2013)
- U.S. v. Terry - Businessman charged with $12 million government fraud - case dismissed (N.D. Ga. 2009)
- Georgia v. Burks - Businessman indicted for trafficking in marijuana (50 lbs) - sentenced to probation (2013)
- U.S. v. Dahabreh - Businessman charged with fraud and structuring currency transactions involving nearly $2 million - sentencing guidelines advised 42+ months in prison - sentenced to probation (N.D. Ga. 2008)
- U.S. v. Tony H. - Businessman facing 10 years to life for methamphetamine conspiracy - pled to lesser offense and sentenced to 5 months (E.D.Tn. 2013)
- Georgia v. Sinclair - Doctor charged with Medicaid fraud - sentenced to misdemeanor probation and medical license preserved (2008)
- Georgia v. Goins - Accused charged with murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, attempted robbery, & possession of a firearm during commission of a felony - jury verdict of not guilty on all charges (2014)
- U.S. v. Young - Owner of rap music promotion and entertainment company charged with marijuana trafficking (5000+ lbs) - jury acquitted on all charges (M.D. Ala. 2011)
- Georgia v. Morris - businessman charged with possession of child pornography. Case dismissed for law enforcement misconduct -- loss of critical evidence (2017)
- U.S. v. Mills - Businessman charged with money laundering - sentencing guidelines advised 78+ months in prison - sentenced to probation with 6 months home detention (M.D. Tn. 2010)
- U.S. v. Anderson - Businessman acquitted of illegal gun possession (N.D. Fla. 2007)
- U.S. v. Harris, a/k/a T.I. - International Recording Artist/Actor charged with possession of machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon - sentencing guidelines advised 10+ years in prison - sentenced to 1 year and 1 day imprisonment (N.D. Ga. 2009)
- Georgia v. Davis - Attorney arrested on multiple charges of securities fraud - case dismissed before indictment (2013)
- U.S. v. McCranie - Attorney charged with Hobbs Act extortion and false statements - case dismissed (M.D. Ga. 2009)
- Georgia v. A... - Therapist investigated for health care fraud - prosecution declined by Attorney General's office (2013)
Representative Clients:
- William Roberts, a/k/a "Rick Ross"
- Clifford J. Harris, Jr. a/k/a "T.I."
- Tyrone Griffin a/k/a "TyDolla$"
- Jamal Rashid a/k/a "Mally Mall"
- Usher
- Howard K. Stern
- Gold Club/Steve Kaplan
Videos:
- Tip is joined by famed high profile criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow. Tip and Steve talk about some of his most infamous cases from Rick Ross & Howard K. Stern to NFL football star Ray Lewis and Jeffrey Epstein. They talk about the details surrounding Tips past criminal defense case and offer invaluable insight into legal strategies to help you avoid becoming a victim of the legal system. This is an episode you don't want to miss!, expediTIously with Tip "T.I." Harris: Steve Sadow- The Fixer, 2020
- Attorney Howard K. Stern, Anna Nicole Smith's boyfriend, and Stern's attorney Steve Sadow open up after Stern is cleared of conspiracy charge. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/exclusive-howard-k-stern-speaks-out-12606836, ABC News
Educational Background:
- Marietta College, B.A., 1976
- Those of you old enough to remember (or have heard about) the infamous Gold Club in Atlanta, I recommend the Podcas… https://t.co/6RW9V74iAp
- Man accused of shooting Lil Wayne’s tour bus takes plea deal https://t.co/Hph1sz1XLt
- Kudos to my son Jon!! https://t.co/scRHlcNTon
- EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH TIP "TI" HARRIS Expand Menu | Steve Sadow- The Fixer - https://t.co/FczihxLcL0 #GoogleAlerts
- https://t.co/6ogbAfU7Mz
- Man accused of shooting Lil Wayne’s tour bus takes plea deal https://t.co/Hph1sz1XLt
Steve Sadow:
Last Updated: 9/3/2020