English & Smith
Attorneys at Law

526 King Street, Suite 213
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Phone: 703.548.8911
Fax: 703.548.8935

Criminal Defense Law Firm

The firm's partners, Gregory B. English and David B. Smith, have substantial and varied trial and appellate experience.  Both were federal prosecutors at the United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Office in Alexandria, a background that provides them with knowledge of the inner workings of the Justice Department.  Their positions while at Justice (Mr. English was a Senior Trial Attorney in the Narcotics Section and Mr. Smith served as Deputy Chief of the Asset Forfeiture Office) have enhanced their abilities to take charge of complex cases involving multiple defendants.

Since entering private practice, they have concentrated their efforts in several areas of the law:

Experienced in all Aspects of Military Law — Gregory B. English

As a former trial attorney in the Army Judge Advocate General's Corps and retired Lieutenant Colonel in the D.C. Army National Guard, Mr. English is familiar with the Uniform Code of Military Justice and procedures unique to military tribunals.  He has been approved to represent defendants in capital punishment cases in federal court.

Published Authority on Forfeiture and RICO — David B. Smith

Mr. Smith, the author of two widely used legal treatises, is recognized as the foremost authority in the technical and complex area of civil and criminal forfeiture.  His treatise on forfeiture law, Prosecution and Defense of Forfeiture Cases, has been cited by every United States Circuit Court of Appeals.  The treatise also covers the subjects of restitution, fines and crime victims' rights.  It has been called “the leading authority” on forfeiture law by courts.  He is co-author of a second treatise entitled Civil RICO.  Mr. Smith serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Affordable Legal Services

Our partners have both attained Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV-rated peer review rating.  We take pride in providing excellent legal services at reasonable rates.  Our highly experienced support staff is committed to producing the finest quality work product. Our office is located in the heart of historic Old Town Alexandria.  We are adjacent to the Alexandria City Courthouse, five blocks from the scenic Potomac River waterfront.

Call 1-703-548-8911 

In the Spotlight - Cases & News

  • Major Victory in Sentencing CaseIn January of 2010, the Fourth Circuit decided United States v. Mark Lynn, ____ F.3d ____, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 1927 (Jan. 28, 2010), requiring the trial judge to clearly articulate how the 18 U.S.C. §3553(a) factors were applied in fashioning the sentence. The court, referencing Gall v. United States, stated that "a district court’s explanation of its sentence need not be lengthy, but the court must offer some ’individualized assessment’ justifying the sentence imposed and rejection of arguments for a higher or lower sentence based on §3553." Mr. Lynn, who was represented by other counsel at trial, had been convicted and sentenced to prison for 33 years. Mr. English handled his appeal and obtained the Fourth Circuit decision which vacated Mr. Lynn’s sentence. The court’s decision relied in part upon another case Mr. English had argued.
  • Tenth Circuit Rules on Meaning of "Proceeds" in 18 U.S.C. §981(a)(2)In United States v. Nacchio, 573 F.3d 1062 (10th Cir. 2009), the court of appeals correctly construed the CAFRA’s definition of the key word "proceeds" in 18 U.S.C. §981(a)(2). This is the first circuit decision to interpret §981(a)(2)’s language. The issue arose in the long–running appeal of Joseph Nacchio, the former CEO of Qwest Communications Int’l, from his conviction on 19 counts of insider trading. The district court ordered Nacchio to forfeit $52 million. However, the court of appeals agreed with Nacchio that the district court erred in not allowing Nacchio a deduction for the "direct costs" incurred by him in his insider trading activity.

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