Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
PRO
Free Consultation
My practice involves federal cases exclusively. I've practiced in federal court for more than 35 years, and I welcome the chance to help you with any problem in this area. Please feel free to call or e-mail me at any time.
---
My practice is distinguished by the fact that I work exclusively at the federal level, and have for 35 years. My cases include white collar crime allegations (including grand jury representation), fraud, computer crimes and drug cases. A portion of my practice involves appeals, and I have more than 50 published federal court opinions. Please call or e-mail me if you have questions.
1
Practice Area
47 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
Always
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 1985
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Mobile
17 Corporate Plaza, Suite 254, Newport Beach, CA, 92660
deansteward.com
30 Client Reviews
"I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer. Dean and I were co-counsel in a complex federal mortgage fraud jury trial. Dean was a fierce advocate for his clients. He was always prepared, tenacious, and honest. The breadth of his knowledge of federal criminal law and his ability to represent his clients eloquently and effectively are second to none. I am proud to endorse him for any federal criminal case."
"I worked with Dean on two complex federal cases. One was a tax fraud scheme, the other a RICO case. Dean is a fountain of knowledge and ideas who commands the respect of colleagues, the government and judges. I highly recommend Dean Steward to anyone looking for superlative federal criminal defense."
"Clients, prosecutors, judges, and fellow defense attorneys all have nothing but the utmost respect for Dean - and rightfully so. Dean is the best there is. Nobody knows the law, the federal court system, and every single person in the building better than Dean does. I always recommend Dean."
"Dean is one of the most thorough attorneys that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. His trial skills are superb and his preparation second to none."
"I have had the privilege of serving as Dean Steward's co-counsel in two complex federal cases. We spent eight months in trial together in federal court in Santa Ana on one of the two. Dean is one of the finest attorneys I have ever worked with. He is an outstanding advocate who has the unique ability to charm the jury while at the same time devastate an adverse witness. I give him the hightest possible endorsement. Mark Fleming, Esq. San Diego, CA"
Federal crime lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
White collar crime lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Federal crime lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
White collar crime lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
2014
One of the Top Lawyers in O.C., O.C. Metro Magazine
2014
One of the Top Lawyers in the U.S., U.S. News and World Report
2014
Super Lawyer, Orange Coast Magazine
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Top Law Firms in the Country, U.S. News and World Report
2012
Top Lawyers, Corporate Counsel
2012
One of the Top Lawyers- O.C. for 2012, O.C. Metro magazine
2012
Super Lawyer, Los Angeles Magazine
2011
One of the Top Attorneys in Southern California, Los Angeles Magazine
2011
One of the top law firms in the country, U.S. News & World Report
2011
Super Lawyer, Orange Coast Magazine
2011
Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2011
A-V rating (highest), Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Best Lawyers in Southern California, Los Angeles Times Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County, Los Angeles Magazine
2009
One of Top 5 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Orange County, OC Metro Magazine
2009
Selected: Top 100 Lawyers in California, Los Angeles Daily Journal
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Wavemakers, Orange Coast Magazine
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Best Lawyers in Southern California, Los Angeles Times Magazine
2007
Top 50 Lawyers in Orange County, Los Angeles Magazine
2007
Top Lawyers in Orange County, Orange Coast Magazine
2007
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America
1996
Top Recognition Award, Federal Bar Association- OC Chapter
1993
President's MVP Award, Orange County Bar Association
2000 - Present
Owner, H. Dean Steward, APC
1992 - 1995
Chairman and Member - Criminal Law Advisory Commission, California State Bar
1987 - 2000
Directing Attorney- Orange County, Federal Public Defenders
1984 - 1987
Chief Assistant- Honolulu, Hawaii, Federal Public Defenders
1979 - 1984
Partner, Steward & Steward
2002 - Present
American College of Trial LawyersFellow
1981 - Present
Tax CourtMember
2004 - 2005
Warren G. Ferguson American Inn of CourtPresident
2002 - 2005
Ninth Circuit Court of AppealsLawyer Delegate
1990 - 1993
Federal Bar Association- OC ChapterMember- former member, Board of Directors
1988 - 1989
Orange County Bar AssociationMember- former Chair- Task Force of Denial of Due Process
1985 - 1986
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember- former Committee Member- Amicus Committee
1985 - 1986
American Bar AssociationMember- former Committee Member- Defense Services
1985 - 1987
Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense LawyersSecretary- founding member
Appellate win
Plea bargain with sentence of PROBATION
Motion for new trial GRANTED, case dismissed
Hung jury- Mis-trial
All federal charges dismissed
Client acquitted- all counts
White Collar Sentence successfully reversed
Successful appeal of conviction
Client not indicted
1982
Certified
1977
JD - Juris Doctor
1974
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2014
2014
What's So Different About Being a White Collar Lawyer?
2013
2011
Nuts and Bolts of Federal Criminal Practice
2011
2011
Effective Use of Attorney Time: Making the Most of Your Team
2011
2010
Joint Defense Agreements
2010
Defending against Witness Intimidation
2009
Terms of Service and Criminal Law
2009
Computer Crimes: The MySpace Case and Emerging Criminal Issues in Cyberspace
2009
Ethics and the Internet
2009
Lori Drew Case and Angry E-mail: Are We All Going to Jail?
2004
Investigating Government Informants
2003
Do's and Don't: Federal Court Criminal Cases
2002
Cooperating Witnesses- Uncovering the Lie
2002
Snitches: Uncovering the Lies
2002
The Confidential Informant
2001
Informants- How to Uncover the Lie
2001
"I Object!"- You Be the Judge
2001
The Contested Hearing
2001
Discovery Techniques
2000
Defending Federal Gun Cases
2000
"News and Verdict at 11"- The Impact of the Media on the Lawyer, the Jury, the Outcome
2000
Management and Economic Issues for Government and In-House Counsel
2000
Investigating Informants
1999
Defending Federal Gun Cases
1999
Defending Federal Gun Cases
1999
Federal Sentencing Trends and Update
1998
Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases
1998
Federal Sentencing
1998
Ethics
1997
Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases
1996
Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases
1996
Sentencing in Federal Court
1996
Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law
2000
1994
English