Edward L. Dowd Jr. is a litigator who defends corporations, professional service firms and individuals in high-stakes, complex civil, and white collar criminal cases and investigations. He represents clients with the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, DOJ, EPA,, IRS, Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies. In addition, Ed works with companies to strengthen corporate compliance in order to avoid the initial missteps that result in investigations and trials.
Ed’s legal career includes years as a federal prosecutor (he was U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri) and private practice litigator. He served as special counsel in the investigation of events surrounding the Branch Davidians in Waco. Ed knows the intricacies of investigations and litigation from the perspectives of the prosecutor, investigator and the person or company being pursued.
Repeatedly recognized by industry publications for his work in white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation and corporate compliance, Ed was named Best Lawyers® 2016 Corporate Compliance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in St. Louis in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Chambers & Partners has repeatedly listed Ed as a “Band 1” attorney (the highest ranking) in Missouri in the areas of “Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.” He is annually included on the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers list.
Updated Sep 2023
