Brian W. Stolarz

Overview

Brian Stolarz is a prominent, passionate trial lawyer in high-profile and high-stakes criminal and civil cases. Brian has a national white-collar defense practice defending individuals and companies in all stages of criminal and civil enforcement investigations and litigations. Brian cares deeply for his clients and their needs, whether in a bet-the-company litigation or a small pro bono matter.

Brian also specializes in False Claims Act investigations and litigations for government contractors in various industries, and routinely conducts fast-moving internal investigations and Civil Investigative Demand responses for those clients.

Brian has served in leading roles on several high-profile matters, including service as Counsel to the Special Counsel to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Ethics in the investigation of matters concerning former Senator John Ensign, a large Congressional data breach and doxxing case, and the reversal of the conviction of the former President of the Armed Forces Foundation. He has also represented individuals before congressional committees and prepared clients for staff testimony and testimony before public hearings.

In the non-profit sector, Brian represents a prominent social services organization in litigation and regulatory matters and conducts internal investigations on various issues for the organization.

Experience

• Represented an innovative new sports licensing company in a government investigation.
• Represented a large defense contractor in a sensitive, fast-moving False Claims Act investigation resulting in a successful resolution.
• Represented information technology government contractor in extensive False Claims Act CID response and defense.
• Represented a prominent political advisor in a foreign campaign contribution criminal case.
• Represented whistleblower in high-profile Ponzi scheme case and related civil litigation.
• Represented an individual involved in a large Congressional data breach and "doxxing" case.
• Represented government contractor and executives in False Claims Act case alleging false certification of service-disabled veteran status.
• Represented a former president of a prominent nonprofit in a six-week jury trial involving allegations of fraud and tax evasion and secured a reversal of conviction on appeal.
• Represented the Social Security Administration Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding ALJ decision practices.
• Represented an investment banker in DOJ and SEC insider trading investigations involving PIPE transactions.

Honors & Publications

Honors

Brian has received a number of awards for his work for firm clients, including the following:

• Washington DC Trailblazer, The National Law Journal, 2020
• Recipient of Special Recognition Award, Death Penalty Focus, 2016
• Recipient of Light of Justice Award, Texas Defender Service, 2015
• Super Lawyer, White-Collar Criminal Defense, Thomson Reuters, Washington, DC (2013-2014, 2018-2019), Virginia (2020-2026)
• Caritas Award, Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington, for outstanding pro bono service, 2014
• Pro Bono Legal Service Awards, John Carroll Society, 2007
• Legal Elite list, Criminal Law, Virginia Business Magazine, 2019
• The Best Lawyers in America - Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers, 2020 -2026

Publications

• Co-Author, Federal Judge Dismisses Qui Tam Case Based on Constitutional Concerns: Is the False Claims Act Qui Tam Era Coming to a Close?, Pratt’s Government Contracting Law Report, 2024
• Author, Grace and Justice on Death Row: The Race Against Time and Texas to Free an Innocent Man, 2016

Civic

• Advisory Council Member, Catholic Charities Legal Network
• President’s Council, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington

Community

Brian has received several awards for his dedication to pro bono service, including the Pro Bono Legal Service Award from the John Carroll Society and the Caritas Award, the highest honor bestowed by Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Washington in recognition of professionals who advocate on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed populations.

Brian also served as habeas corpus counsel to Alfred Dewayne Brown, who was exonerated in June 2015 after serving 10 years on death row in Texas and declared actually innocent in March 2019.   He was awarded the 2015 Light of Justice Award from the Texas Defender Service and 2020 Trailblazer Award from The National Law Journal for securing justice for Mr. Brown, and his work on the case has been profiled in The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle and on the Today Show. Additionally, the Brown case is featured on Netflix in The Innocence Files, Episode 8, and Brian’s best-selling book, Grace and Justice on Death Row: The Race Against Time and Texas to Free an Innocent Man.

Brian is frequently invited to speak at colleges, law schools and company conferences about Mr. Brown's case and the importance of pro bono work and service to the community.