Laura Steel represents both corporations and government entities in employment-related negotiations, claims handling and litigation. In addition, she has devoted more than 25 years of her civil litigation career to professional liability defense, specifically for lawyers, law firms, title agents, appraisers and other professionals, as well as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, hospitals, residential facilities and other health care providers. She has also been involved in representing and supervising matters for clients in a variety of product liability, toxic tort and asbestos issues. Laura has lectured before various organizations regarding trial practice techniques and how to avoid legal malpractice claims. Her practice includes active administrative, trial and appellate cases in the state and federal courts as well as the administrative agencies in the District of Columbia and throughout Maryland. Over the course of her career, she has handled more than 100 trials.
Laura worked in several capacities as a prosecutor, trial lawyer and supervisor for the Office of the Attorney General of the District of Columbia (then the D.C. Office of the Corporation Counsel), notably on matters involving the defense of city agencies and officials in a wide range of torts, including police brutality, false arrest and municipal liability, among others. Additionally, during her tenure as an assistant corporation counsel for the Civil Division, Laura handled numerous employment and discrimination matters in the local and federal courts on behalf of the government of the District of Columbia and its agencies. While in the Criminal Division, she prosecuted cases ranging from misdemeanors to major felonies, including homicide, rape, burglary, weapons offenses and felony-murder.
Laura prides herself on providing the highest quality legal services tailored to her clients’ specific needs and objectives. She believes that the essential components of her representation involve communication, the art of listening, early critical evaluation and formulation of a practical, realistic resolution strategy commensurate with the complexity of the problem. Her approach is balanced with a sensitivity to the critical legal and business considerations that influence each client’s unique situation.
