Addy R. Schmitt is the Managing Partner of Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler’s D.C. office. Ms. Schmitt litigates complex criminal and civil cases. She represents corporations, organizations and individuals in criminal investigations and prosecutions, regulatory and enforcement matters, commercial litigation, and internal investigations.
Ms. Schmitt is frequently invited to speak on criminal and civil litigation matters nationally and internationally and she routinely publishes on topics related to white collar crime. Ms. Schmitt clerked on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan. Ms. Schmitt also served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia from 2010-2014.
Notable Matters
Ms. Schmitt represents clients at all stages of a case—investigations, trials, arbitrations, mediations and appeals. Some of her representations include:
i) represented an individual charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice in one of Maryland’s largest federal fraud prosecutions;
ii) represented an individual charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud in federal court in Maryland;
iii) represented, with Barry Pollack, a former Maryland state cabinet official charged with bribery;
iv) represented, with Barry Pollack, a principal of a government contractor charged with bribing a government official to obtain contracts, obtaining acquittals on all counts following a federal criminal jury trial in Virginia;
v) represented a founding partner of a prominent firm in an arbitration against his former firm; and
vi) conducted internal investigations and served as outside counsel for a prominent labor union.
Professional Memberships
Elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2018) and appointed as Parliamentarian (2024). Appointed to the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission by President Barack Obama (2017) and by President Joe Biden (2024). Member of the Board of Directors of the Historical Society for the District of Columbia Circuit. Member of the Board of Directors of JusticeAid. Member of the Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court and the Lawyers’ Club of Washington. Current Adjunct Professor at the American University Washington College of Law.
Education
Ms. Schmitt received her Bachelor of Arts at Georgetown University and received her law degree from American University Washington College of Law, J.D., summa cum laude.
Admissions
Ms. Schmitt is admitted to the bars of the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
Updated Sep 2024
