H Dean Steward

PRO

H Dean Steward

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 46 years

Federal crime Lawyer at Newport Beach, CA
Practice Areas: Federal Crime

17 Corporate Plaza, Suite 254, Newport Beach, CA

Free Consultation

About H

Biography

FEDERAL CRIMINAL DEFENSE ONLY

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Federal Crime 100%

47 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 60 minutes

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2018
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Hawaii for 40 years

State: Hawaii

Acquired: 1985

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 46 years

State: California

Acquired: 1979

Active

No misconduct found

Location

H. Dean Steward, APC

17 Corporate Plaza, Suite 254, Newport Beach, CA, 92660

deansteward.com

H Dean Steward's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

30 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (30) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 15 reviews | Advocacy

Posted by Jason | September 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Great attorney. Honest, Loyal and Hard Working

I hired Dean to assist with my probation termination. Because of the judge it ended being a more complicated process than originally anticipated. Dean never wavered and never asked for additional compensation. He was true to his word and successfully argued for me in front of the judge. I hope I ...never have to hire a federal attorney again but if I do, it will absolutely be him. I highly recommend.

Posted by Lee | October 18, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Federal Restitution

I wanted to give Mr. Dean Steward the credit he deserves. I’m a free man with no legal issues thanks to Dean Steward. I’ll be forever indebted to you. Thank you for your legal service and the proper advice in how to proceed with my case. Your expertise and your genius made my problem go away within a... month and I am ever so grateful. Thank you for now getting me free of the entanglements I was having with the Federal Legal System."

Posted by Mohamed | July 23, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Appeals

Mr. Dean Steward is Miracle from Heaven

Let's began with my case was very complicated which started in 2013 in orange county federal court. and just on 7/17/2020, court of appeal decided to reverse the decision. All these because of Mr, Dean steward expertise in what he does. Mr, Stewart has it all, knowledge, good communication skills..., orally articulate, good written communication skills, good research skills, and a above all these he has a big heart. we were able to have The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to reverse lower court decision. thank you will never be enough to Mr. Dean Steward.

Posted by Carl | September 18, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Committed and Professional

I made some really bad decisions a few years ago. Mr. Steward came highly recommended from an other attorney. He knew the situation was highly embarrassing to me and had great advise. He was straight forward with me and didn't try to conceal the fact that I was in trouble. He helped me through ...a really difficult time in my life like a friend would. He's been around for a long time and has excellent relationships with both sides of the court room. Need an "real" attorney? Call Mr. Steward.

Posted by anonymous | July 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Amazing lawyer with a human side

Dean is not only the greatest lawyer I have had the opportunity to meet over me and my loved one's ordeals, he is the one of the greatest people and role models to have come into our life. When our difficulties first started, we were assigned a public defender who did not believe in our innocence and... mocked us for disputing the government's account of events. He did not seem to be researching our case in earnest so we went to talk to Dean who was recommended to us. From the very moment we retained him, Dean took an avid interest in the case researching it nonstop. It was apparent to us that to him it was not about the money, but for integrity and the fight against injustice. After having looked into our case so thoroughly he came to believe us as well and became impassioned about righting a wrong. Throughout all steps of the process, he gave us constant updates, was always available for a phone call, and answered in detail our frequent emails. Dean is well experienced in all aspects of criminal defense whether it be negotiations, trials, or appeals. Moreover, should your case go to trial, his extensive appeals experience and his deep research and understanding of your case enables him to preserve the strongest arguments for any possible appeal while he vigorously defends you. Retaining him was the greatest decision we ever made and he was able to turn a hopeless situation not helped at all by prior counsel into one where we could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

See All Client Reviews

H Dean Steward's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse H
Peter Johnson headshot
Peter Johnson

Federal crime lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Anthony Michael Solis headshot
Anthony Solis

Federal crime lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Melissa Bobrow headshot
Melissa Bobrow

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"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."

Shawn R Perez headshot
Shawn Perez

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Mark Francis Fleming headshot
Mark Fleming

White collar crime lawyer | Oct 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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"

View All Endorsements
Jessica Claire Munk headshot
Jessica Munk

Federal crime lawyer

Joseph Abrams headshot
Joseph Abrams

Federal crime lawyer

Peter Johnson headshot
Peter Johnson

White collar crime lawyer

Shawn R Perez headshot
Shawn Perez

Federal crime lawyer

Craig Martin Wilke headshot
Craig Wilke

Federal crime lawyer

Anthony Michael Solis headshot
Anthony Solis

Federal crime lawyer

Melissa Bobrow headshot
Melissa Bobrow

Criminal defense lawyer

Hector Luis Flores headshot
Hector Flores

White collar crime lawyer

Gary Michael Pohlson headshot
Gary Pohlson

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

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

Work Experience

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

Associations

2002 - Present

American College of Trial Lawyers

Fellow

1981 - Present

Tax Court

Member

2004 - 2005

Warren G. Ferguson American Inn of Court

President

2002 - 2005

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Lawyer Delegate

1990 - 1993

Federal Bar Association- OC Chapter

Member- former member, Board of Directors

1988 - 1989

Orange County Bar Association

Member- former Chair- Task Force of Denial of Due Process

1985 - 1986

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member- former Committee Member- Amicus Committee

1985 - 1986

American Bar Association

Member- former Committee Member- Defense Services

1985 - 1987

Hawaii Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Secretary- founding member

Sample of Legal Cases

U.S, v. Salah

Appellate win

U.S. v. R.R. et. al.

Plea bargain with sentence of PROBATION

U.S. v. Pacheco-Mendoza

Motion for new trial GRANTED, case dismissed

U.S. vs. Tan Nguyen

Hung jury- Mis-trial

U.S. v. Lori Drew

All federal charges dismissed

U.S. v. Dr. T.D. [name privacy protected]

Client acquitted- all counts

U.S. v. Crandall

White Collar Sentence successfully reversed

U.S. v. Helguero

Successful appeal of conviction

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation- Orange County, California

Client not indicted

See More Legal Cases

Education

1982

National College for Criminal Defense- Houston, TX

Certified

1977

California Western SOL

JD - Juris Doctor

1974

University of California - San Diego

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

2014

Monthy Meeting

What's So Different About Being a White Collar Lawyer?

2013

MySpace Teen Suicide case: the Inside Story Computer crimes- federal court

2011

New Trial Panel Attorney Training

Nuts and Bolts of Federal Criminal Practice

2011

Fidler Institute for Criminal Justice Cyber Crimes

2011

CJA Panel Training

Effective Use of Attorney Time: Making the Most of Your Team

2010

Third Annual Training Seminar- CJA Panel Attorneys

Joint Defense Agreements

2010

San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association

Defending against Witness Intimidation

2009

University of Florida

Terms of Service and Criminal Law

2009

FBA-OC Annual Criminal Law Seminar

Computer Crimes: The MySpace Case and Emerging Criminal Issues in Cyberspace

2009

Annual Conference

Ethics and the Internet

2009

Annual Conference

Lori Drew Case and Angry E-mail: Are We All Going to Jail?

2004

NDIA Regional Conference and Training Seminar

Investigating Government Informants

2003

Criminal Law: A Nuts and Bolts Approach

Do's and Don't: Federal Court Criminal Cases

2002

Winning Strategies 2002

Cooperating Witnesses- Uncovering the Lie

2002

Fall Conference

Snitches: Uncovering the Lies

2002

And Justice for All: New Approaches for Criminal Defense

The Confidential Informant

2001

CJA Panel Training- San Francisco

Informants- How to Uncover the Lie

2001

California State Bar Convention

"I Object!"- You Be the Judge

2001

Annual Program

The Contested Hearing

2001

2001- New Approaches for the Millenium

Discovery Techniques

2000

Winning Strategies for Defending Federal Criminal Cases

Defending Federal Gun Cases

2000

Victory at Sea: A Criminal Defense Seminar

"News and Verdict at 11"- The Impact of the Media on the Lawyer, the Jury, the Outcome

2000

The Business of Practicing Law

Management and Economic Issues for Government and In-House Counsel

2000

NDIA Regional Conference

Investigating Informants

1999

Winning Strategies for Defending Federal Criminal Cases

Defending Federal Gun Cases

1999

Orientation Program for Asst. Federal Defenders

Defending Federal Gun Cases

1999

Federal Defender Guideline Update

Federal Sentencing Trends and Update

1998

Orientation Program for Asst. Federal Defenders

Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases

1998

Federal Sentencing

Federal Sentencing

1998

Annual Meeting

Ethics

1997

Orientation Seminar for Asst. Federal Defenders

Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases

1996

Orientation Seminar for Asst. Federal Defenders

Strategies for Defending Firearms Cases

1996

Advanced Federal Sentencing Practice

Sentencing in Federal Court

1996

6th Annual Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law

Current Developments in Federal Criminal Law

Publications

2000

Federal Defender Update Editor of Monthly Newsletter- 1995-2000

1994

Federal Criminal Defense: Forms and Pleadings Published Manual

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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