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Shanlon Wu
also known as Shan Wu
About Shanlon
Biography
White Collar and college student defense attorney and founding member of Wu, Grohovsky & Whipple, a Washington., D.C.-based boutique law firm. Over 10 years of experience as a federal prosecutor in the Washington, D.C. gives me the understanding and skills necessary to take on cases involving colleges students accused of university conduct code violations and criminal charges such as drug possession, alcohol violations, assault, and sexual assault as well as university academic honor code violations such as cheating and plagiarism.
In addition to my experience as a federal prosecutor, I also served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno. During that time, I also served as a liaison to the FBI, DEA, and National Institute of Justice, among others. Utilizing this background, I also represent high profile clients in white collar criminal matters.
Currently, I contribute insights and commentary on current events as a CNN Legal Analyst.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 36 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Licensed in Connecticut for 37 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
DC Student Defense
1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Ste 700, Washington, DC, 20004
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Shanlon Wu's Reviews
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | April 9, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Ignores Clients
Once you retain them, this lawyer and all attached firms disappear and are near impossible to contact but will still charge you.
Posted by Ashley | September 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
I was able to continue my education, uninterrupted!
Shan was a huge help to me when the campus police came to our dorm room and charged me and several other students with disorderly conduct violations. He and his team helped me defend my case and explain what had happened to the university. I had never been in any trouble before and was at a loss ab...
Shanlon Wu's Lawyer Endorsements
"Shan Wu is the premier college student defense lawyer in the country. He started doing college student disciplinary cases long before everyone else and has a particular expertise in campus sexual assaults since he used to prosecute sex crimes for the U.S. Department of Justice. Students facing both university discipline charges and criminal cases usually cannot find one attorney who has the experience and skills to handle simultaneous criminal charges and university charges but Shan can handle both. He’s the best choice for college student defense."
"Shan is a tenacious and highly skilled courtroom lawyer who is equally at home before judges, juries and university administrators. His clients really benefit from his experience as a federal prosecutor. He is extremely familiar with the D.C. local and federal courts and can help any client navigate the criminal justice system."
"Shan is an experienced and extremely effective advocate particularly effective and able attorney, with a specialty in representing college students with on-campus related criminal issues. His firm is nimble and very competitively priced."
"Shan Wu is a phenomenal advocate with tremendous experience in student defense and criminal defense. I have referred him several matters and without reservation endorse him. If you or someone you know is charged with a crime or facing student disciplinary proceedings, I would absolutely contact Shan Wu."
"Shan is a terrific litigator. He is tough when the situation demands it, but always thoughtful and creative in seeking the right solutions for clients. I have been impressed with his results, and look forward to being able to work with him again in the future."
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Julie Grohovsky
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Experience
Honors
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Partner, Wu, Grohovsky & Whipple
2014 - 2016
Professor, Georgetown Univ. Law Center
2007 - 2010
Partner, Wheat Wu PLLC
1999 - 2000
Councel to U.S. Attorney, Us Dept Of Justice
1990 - 2001
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Us Dept Of Justice
1989 - 1990
judicial clerk, Us Court Of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
1988 - 1989
Judicial clerk, U.S. District Court of Northern Texas
Associations
2013 - Present
Assistant United States Attorneys Association of the District of ColumbiaBoard Member
Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Past President
D.C. Bar Association’s Board of Professional Responsibility
Hearing Committee
Sample of Legal Cases
Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine | Student Conduct Code Violation
Found Not in Violation
Sexual Assault | Student Conduct Code Violation
Found not in violation
Cheating on an exam | Academic Honor Code Violation
found not in violation
Education
1987
Georgetown College
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
Sarah Lawrence College
M.F.A. Fine Arts
1980
Vassar College
A.B. English
Speaking Engagements
2016
District of Connecticut Bench-Bar Conference
Campus Sexual Assault Investigations
Publications
2017
The Huffington Post
Over the Rainbow: The Beating Aboard United Flight 3411
2017
The Washington Post
Improve the system by properly enforcing Title IX
2016
2016
Independent Journal Review
I Jailed A Serial Rapist For Life: Why I Believe Brock Turner Deserves A Harsher Sentence
2016
2016
The Huffington Post
Parenting a College Student: Lessons From Mencius’ Mom
2016
The Huffington Post
3 Questions to Ask if Your Student Gets in Trouble at College
2015
New York Times
Improving How College Campuses Handle Rape Cases
2015
2014
2014
2014
The Huffington Post
Colleges vs. Military: Who’s Worse at Prosecuting Sexual Assaults?
2014
The Huffington Post
Identifying Campus Sexual Predators
2014
The Huffington Post
Put the Intent Back into Plagiarism!
2014
2014
2014
Washington Post
Courts, not colleges, should prosecute sex crimes
Languages
English
Mandarin
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can i sue my University due to a Professor’s academic fraud, dishonesty, and malicious retaliation?
11 Apr 2018
Q&A
I have been subpoena to DC court. I want the case to be dropped i am a witness.
26 Dec 2017
Q&A
Are sexting cases federally prosecuted or are only state charges brought?
17 Oct 2017