Stuart Alexander Sears
Education
- American University Washington College of Law, J.D., cum laude 2005
- Mary Washington College, B.A., 1998
Bar Admissions
- 2005, Virginia
- 2005, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- 2005, United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- 2006, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- 2007, District of Columbia
- 2009, United States District Court for the District of Columbia
Bar Associations
- Virginia Bar Association
- Alexandria Bar Association
- Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Services
Vice-Chair/Vice-President - Foundation of the Alexandria Bar Association, 2007-present
Other Profiles
- John Kenneth Zwerling, Partner
- Andrea L. Moseley, Partner
- Cary Jacob Citronberg, Associate
Stuart joined Zwerling, Leibig & Moseley, P.C., as an associate upon his graduation from law school. Since that time he has represented individuals in Virginia, the District of Columbia and federal courts on charges ranging from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies. In addition, Stuart has counseled clients who have been the targets of criminal investigations as well as clients challenging their cases on post-conviction proceedings. He has litigated extensive pretrial motions challenging scientific evidence, motions to suppress unconstitutional searches, seizures and alleged confessions, and challenging the constitutionality of both federal and state statutes. Stuart has negotiated favorable pretrial resolutions and has won acquittals in front of both judge and jury.
In addition to his trial level work, Stuart has represented individuals on post-conviction proceedings including appeals, petitions for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court and habeas corpus relief. Among his successes, Stuart has argued before the Fourth Circuit, had a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court granted and has obtained the reversal of a client’s conviction in U.S. District Court.
Prior to entering law school, Stuart worked in financial services at a large corporation in Boston, Massachusetts, where he obtained his Series 6 and 63 license and advised clients regarding their retirement savings and assisted brokers in enrolling clients in variable annuity products. He has used his financial background to assist clients charged with financial crimes including money laundering, structuring, mortgage fraud, mail/wire fraud, health care fraud and embezzlement.
Journals
Associate, American University International Law Review, 2003-2005
Awards/Recognitions
2009, 2010, and 2011 Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Stars - selected as among the top 2.5 percent of Virginia up-and-coming attorneys in an extensive peer review and evaluation process conducted by Law & Politics.
Top 100 Lawyers in Virginia - selected as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Virginia by the National Trial Lawyers Association.
