Stephen L. Braga
Encyclopedia
Stephen L. Braga is an American white collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation attorney; and currently a Partner in the Litigation Department at Ropes & Gray in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Braga is best known for his successful pro bono representation of Martin Tankleff
and trial defense of former ABC News Anchor Chris Wallace
. The United States Lawyer Rankings have named Mr. Braga a Top Ten Criminal Defense Lawyer in the United States for three years in a row beginning in 2006.
. He then joined the Washington, D.C. litigation boutique Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, where he practiced law until 2001 when Miller Cassidy merged into Baker Botts
. Mr. Braga was a partner in the Litigation Department of Baker Botts
until 2008 when he moved to Ropes & Gray, where he currently is a partner in their Litigation Department.
Mr. Braga’s practice has focused on white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation. In white-collar defense matters, he has represented former White House Chief of Staff Michael Deaver
, former Congressman George Hansen, former California Coastal Commissioner Mark Nathanson, and Public Relations Executive Michael Scanlon
in the Jack Abramoff
lobbying scandal. In complex civil matters, Mr. Braga is best known for his successful trial defense of ABC News Anchor Chris Wallace
in a defamation action arising from an undercover investigation reported by ABC’s Primetime Live news show.
Mr. Braga also teaches law as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center
.
in a long-running and notorious New York state murder case profiled by 48 Hours
, The New York Times
and People
magazine. In November 2007, their twelve-year pro bono efforts resulted in securing a reversal of a murder conviction and release of Mr. Tankleff after 17 years of imprisonment. On January 31, 2008, Mr Braga and the team of litigators received the Gideon Champion of Justice Award from the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in recognition of their outstanding pro bono representation.
in 1978 and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center
in 1981, where he was an Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
Mr. Braga is best known for his successful pro bono representation of Martin Tankleff
Martin Tankleff
Martin Tankleff is a Long Island, New York resident who was convicted of murdering his wealthy parents, Seymour and Arlene Tankleff, on September 7, 1988...
and trial defense of former ABC News Anchor Chris Wallace
Chris Wallace (journalist)
Christopher "Chris" Wallace is an American journalist, currently the host of the Fox Network program, Fox News Sunday. Wallace has won three Emmy Awards, the Dupont-Columbia Silver Baton Award, and a Peabody Award. Wallace has been with Fox News since 2003...
. The United States Lawyer Rankings have named Mr. Braga a Top Ten Criminal Defense Lawyer in the United States for three years in a row beginning in 2006.
Legal career
Mr. Braga began his legal career clerking for one year for The Honorable Thomas A. Flannery of the United States District Court for the District of ColumbiaUnited States District Court for the District of Columbia
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia is a federal district court. Appeals from the District are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (in case citations, D.D.C.) is a...
. He then joined the Washington, D.C. litigation boutique Miller, Cassidy, Larroca & Lewin, where he practiced law until 2001 when Miller Cassidy merged into Baker Botts
Baker Botts
Baker Botts L.L.P. is a major United States-based international law firm of around 800 attorneys, with a long, prominent history, significant political connections, boasting more than half of the Fortune 100 companies among its clients. Headquartered in One Shell Plaza in Downtown Houston, Texas,...
. Mr. Braga was a partner in the Litigation Department of Baker Botts
Baker Botts
Baker Botts L.L.P. is a major United States-based international law firm of around 800 attorneys, with a long, prominent history, significant political connections, boasting more than half of the Fortune 100 companies among its clients. Headquartered in One Shell Plaza in Downtown Houston, Texas,...
until 2008 when he moved to Ropes & Gray, where he currently is a partner in their Litigation Department.
Mr. Braga’s practice has focused on white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation. In white-collar defense matters, he has represented former White House Chief of Staff Michael Deaver
Michael Deaver
Michael Keith Deaver was a member of President Ronald Reagan's White House staff serving as White House Deputy Chief of Staff under James Baker III and Donald Regan from January 1981 until May 1985.-Early life:...
, former Congressman George Hansen, former California Coastal Commissioner Mark Nathanson, and Public Relations Executive Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon
Michael Scanlon, AKA "Sean Scanlon", is a former communications director for Rep. Tom DeLay, lobbyist, and public relations executive who has pleaded guilty to corruption charges related to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal...
in the Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff
Jack Abramoff is an American former lobbyist and businessman. Convicted in 2006 of mail fraud and conspiracy, he was at the heart of an extensive corruption investigation that led to the conviction of White House officials J. Steven Griles and David Safavian, U.S. Representative Bob Ney, and nine...
lobbying scandal. In complex civil matters, Mr. Braga is best known for his successful trial defense of ABC News Anchor Chris Wallace
Chris Wallace (journalist)
Christopher "Chris" Wallace is an American journalist, currently the host of the Fox Network program, Fox News Sunday. Wallace has won three Emmy Awards, the Dupont-Columbia Silver Baton Award, and a Peabody Award. Wallace has been with Fox News since 2003...
in a defamation action arising from an undercover investigation reported by ABC’s Primetime Live news show.
Mr. Braga also teaches law as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
.
Martin Tankleff
Mr. Braga provided pro bono representation and served as lead attorney for a team of 12 litigators representing Martin TankleffMartin Tankleff
Martin Tankleff is a Long Island, New York resident who was convicted of murdering his wealthy parents, Seymour and Arlene Tankleff, on September 7, 1988...
in a long-running and notorious New York state murder case profiled by 48 Hours
48 Hours (TV series)
48 Hours is a documentary and news program broadcast on the CBS television network since January 19, 1988. The program originally presented documentaries of various events related to a particular subject occurring within a 48-hour period, and is credited as one of the first to air a "reality show"...
, The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and People
People (magazine)
In 1998, the magazine introduced a version targeted at teens called Teen People. However, on July 27, 2006, the company announced it would shut down publication of Teen People immediately. The last issue to be released was scheduled for September 2006. Subscribers to this magazine received...
magazine. In November 2007, their twelve-year pro bono efforts resulted in securing a reversal of a murder conviction and release of Mr. Tankleff after 17 years of imprisonment. On January 31, 2008, Mr Braga and the team of litigators received the Gideon Champion of Justice Award from the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in recognition of their outstanding pro bono representation.
Education
Mr. Braga received his B.A., cum laude, from Fairfield UniversityFairfield University
Fairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
in 1978 and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
in 1981, where he was an Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal.