Steven Paul Berne

PRO

Steven Paul Berne

also known as Steven Berne, Steve Berne

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 38 years

Federal crime Lawyer at Atlanta, GA
Practice Areas: Federal Crime, White Collar Crime, DUI & DWI, Criminal Defense

200 Ashford Center N, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Steven

Biography

More than 35 years experience in federal and state criminal courts throughout Georgia and the United States. A passionate and zealous defender while also compassionate with clients. Great client communication.

A federal case requires a specialized lawyer. I have more than 35 years experience as a federal attorney. I am a passionate and zealous defender while also compassionate with clients.

I know the latest cases in this area and have established good relations in the Georgia courts.

I have been representing clients in white collar cases for more than 35 years. I am a passionate and zealous defender while also compassionate with clients.

I have been representing criminal defense clients my entire career.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Federal Crime 40%

36 years

40%
Criminal Defense 20%

38 years

20%
DUI and DWI 20%

38 years

20%
White Collar Crime 20%

36 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2026 2025 2024
...
+ 10
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 38 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 1987

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office Of Steven Berne

200 Ashford Center N, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA, 30338

bernelaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Steven online.

Steven Paul Berne's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

103 Client Reviews

Showing 11 - 15 of 17 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Rashaun | August 27, 2014 | Criminal Defense

with intent to distribute

If u want a lawyer thats not gonna lay down...and explore every option possible...then Steve is the man for u...He never gave up on my case...and kept fighting for me know matter how bad things looked...in the end I got probation....he definitly has the heart of a bulldog...very knowledgeable...and k...nows the law...Steve Bern is just an all around Homerun hitter....

Posted by anonymous | August 26, 2014 | Criminal Defense

NOT GUILTY

Mr Berne saved my life. I was charged with 3 serious felonies & the verdict came out as not guilty on all 3 counts. Mr Berne fought tremendously hard for me,and he never gave up. My case was on for more than 2yrs. My charges were extremely serious .My case went on to trial,the state wanted me to take... a plea of 30yrs to do 10yrs. Mr Berne knows the law perfectly well, he helped pass on the msg & prove to the jury that i was NOT Guilty on all counts. I am so grateful to Mr Berne.If you want a good lawyer to help explain to the jury that you NOT GUILTY ,hire Mr Berne, you never can go wrong with this gentleman.

Posted by anonymous | October 16, 2013 | DUI & DWI

He may as well be called "Mr. Magic"

I met Steven several years ago as I needed some legal advice regarding a criminal matter involving one of my former employees. Though I am not a lawyer, my work required me regularly to interact, work with and supervise many, many lawyers. Over the years, I'd gotten pretty good at identifying a goo...d attorney. Steven "passed" my screening test. It also helped that everything I'd read about him was favorable. Years later I was charged with DUI. Having never been arrested for anything, my mind was made up that I would hire Steven. I spoke to friends for moral support and received referrals to two attorneys in the process who'd either helped them or helped people they know. In the interest of not appearing appreciative, I spoke with the attorneys my friends referred. The first attorney advised me to call the prosecutors office and "tell them you want to plead no contest". I was insulted! This person asked me to call the government myself. The second attorney did not appear to take my case seriously, but agreed to represent me if I wanted him to. Steven and I met at his office, talked about the case and I walked out with a peace of mind that I didn't have when I walked in. I've seen people fight DUI charges for a year or more. My case was resolved in three and a half months - Mr. Berne is also efficient, in a system renowned and perceived by many for being inefficient. In the end, I still have full driving privileges, served no jail time (outside of the time when I was arrested) and, best of all, my case will be dismissed (though I blew over the legal limit). I've known several people who've been down this frightening path and I know of no one who received an outcome nearly as favorable as mine. If you need a criminal defense attorney, Steven should be the man to represent you. The value he brings is far beyond what he will charge. In fact, when I hired him, I happened to be low on available funds. Steven was kind enough to offer me a payment plan while I worked to gain access to some savings so I could pay him.

Posted by anonymous | September 02, 2013

Great lawyer

Steven is a great lawyer and man. he kept me informed on my case every step of the way. if I had a question about my case, I could call him or email and hear back from him in very timely manner. he is very knowledgeable and told me what would what happen with my case when he first saw my case. I woul...d highly recommend him to anyone that needs a lawyer.

Posted by Melissa | May 22, 2013 | DUI & DWI

Amazing Lawyer

Steven Berne was my lawyer for my DUI case. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate. My case ended up better than expected because of him, so I really am thankful I was referred to him. I would absolutely hire him again and recommend him to anyone who wants a lawyer who will really ...work for them.

See All Client Reviews

Steven Paul Berne's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Steven
James W. Howard headshot
James Howard

Federal crime lawyer | Aug 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Berne and I have represented co-defendants in several cases. I have always been impressed with Mr. Berne's thorough preparation, his commitment to his clients, and his effectiveness as a courtroom litigator. He has prevailed in cases that would have been lost without a skilled attorney."

Raina Jeager Nadler headshot
Raina Nadler

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steve is a great defense lawyer. I have gone to him for advice and guidance with clients, he always knows the right assistance to give. Any client would be in great hands and know they are getting a strong defense with Steve."

Casey Adam Cleaver headshot
Casey Cleaver

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steven is a consummate professional. He is prepared, polite, and practiced. Steven is a tireless worker who possesses key traits for success, both inside and outside the courtroom. He has deservedly earned the respect of the legal community to the benefit of his many satisfied clients."

Christopher Reginald Geel headshot
Christopher Geel

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"My first experience working with Steven was when I assisted him with a jury trial in Fulton County. He put on a fantastic defense and acquitted his client on a number of very serious felony charges. A conviction would have certainly led to a lengthy prison sentence, but Steven's client walked out of the courtroom vindicated. Since then, I have worked with Steven on a few cases, and he has always lived up to that same exceptional standard. Steven has a stellar reputation, and it is well-deserved."

John R. Lovell headshot
John Lovell

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Steven is an outstanding attorney. He works tirelessly for his clients. He always has an excellent grasp of the facts and the law. I endorse this lawyer."

David Mark Kupsky headshot
David Kupsky

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Among the characteristics of a premier criminal defender are: knowledge of the law, courtroom skill and presence, zeal, creative thinking and passion for the practice. I have and will continue to refer state and Federal criminal matters to Steven Berne with the highest level of confidence as he possesses an abundance of all these traits and more."

Lawrence Jason Zimmerman headshot
Lawrence Zimmerman

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Steven for 10 plus years, and he is an amazing attorney. He is one of the most creative lawyers around, and he will always find an angle to win any client's case. He is very thoughtful, caring, and honest with his clients. He is in this business to protect people from prosecution. I have tried many cases with him, and I always watch him with great admiration. You are in great hands when you hire Mr. Berne."

Adam Marshall Hames headshot
Adam Hames

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have known Steven for the last three years. He consistently comes up with new and aggressive tactics to represent his clients. He is often the most prepared lawyer in the room. Steven is an excellent lawyer that I would recommend to anyone charged with a crime."

View All Endorsements
Casey Adam Cleaver headshot
Casey Cleaver

Criminal defense lawyer

Raina Jeager Nadler headshot
Raina Nadler

Unknown lawyer

James W. Howard headshot
James Howard

Criminal defense lawyer

John R. Lovell headshot
John Lovell

Criminal defense lawyer

David Mark Kupsky headshot
David Kupsky

Commercial real estate lawyer

Lawrence Jason Zimmerman headshot
Lawrence Zimmerman

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2025

Superb Attorney, AVVO

2024

AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Best Criminal Defense Attorney, Georgia Business Trend

Work Experience

2017 - Present

Adjunct Professor, Emory University School Of Law

2008 - Present

Trial Techniques Instructor, Emory University School Of Law

1991 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Steven Berne

1989 - 1991

Attorney, Federal Defender Program

1987 - 1989

Attorney, DeKalb County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2013 - Present

United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

1995 - Present

United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia

1990 - Present

United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia

State Bar of Georgia

Member

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2010 - 2012

Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Vice President

Sample of Legal Cases

State v. Barkley

Not Guilty on all counts

State v. Osaghae

Not guilty all counts

United States of America v. Butler

All charges dismissed

State v. Beverly Hall, et. al.

Probation & Record Expungement

State v. George Hinds

Not Guilty All Counts

See More Legal Cases

Education

1987

Emory University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1984

University of Florida

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

State v. Sneiderman

Legal Commentator

2011

Georgia Bar Foundation

Federal Criminal Defense

2010

Investigation Seminar

Investigations

2009

Advanced Criminal Practice

Jury Selection

2007

Fall Seminar

Closing Arguments

Publications

2016

National Business Institute Seminar Gun Law: Advanced Issues

2012

LexisNexis publication Georgia Criminal Practice Guide

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution