Steven R. Ross

Partner Emeritus

Areas of Focus

Steven R. Ross

Partner Emeritus

sross@akingump.com

Areas of Focus

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Biography
  • Co-led the firm’s congressional investigations practice.
  • Prior to entering private practice, served as the General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives.
  • Represented clients in high-profile and politically sensitive government investigations. 

Steven Ross retired from the partnership in 2022. He has extensive public- and private-sector experience in representing corporations, institutions, boards and individuals in all manner of investigations, including congressional, criminal and regulatory proceedings and related civil litigation. He concentrated on congressional investigations, internal investigations, governmental ethics, federal election law, white collar criminal defense and constitutional issues.

From 1983 to 1993, Steven served as the General Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives, advising and representing its members, leadership, committees and employees from both political parties. He has also counseled the leadership and relevant committees on numerous congressional investigations.

In private practice, Steven guided clients through complex congressional inquiries and related litigation. He represented clients in investigations conducted by various federal executive branch departments, commissions and agencies, including the U.S. departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, Defense and the Interior, as well as the Federal Election Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.

Steven has significant litigation experience, ranging from trials before U.S. district courts to arguments before the Supreme Court and numerous federal courts of appeals. He was actively involved in defending the constitutionality of multiple federal statutes, including the Independent Counsel Act, the Competition in Contracting Act and the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Deficit Reduction Act.

Over the course of his career, Steven has litigated seminal cases regarding the scope of Congress’ oversight and investigations power, both on behalf of Congress and as counsel to private parties implicated by such inquiries. He has taught constitutional law as an adjunct professor at George Mason University Law School and served as a guest lecturer on the topic of congressional investigations at a number of law schools, including NYU, Fordham and the Georgetown University Law Center.

Representative Work
  • Advised multiple clients in investigations related to the financial crisis of 2008, including representations of a former CEO of a leading insurance company, a credit rating agency and a top hedge fund.
  • Counseled a major automotive company with respect to investigations concerning allegations of noncompliance with environmental regulations.
  • Represented several pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing companies in investigations relating to pricing, safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Advised multiple leading defense contractors in investigations into Iraq-related contracts and conduct.
  • Advised the boards of multiple corporations, non-profits and educational institutions on issues related to general governance as well as specific issues concerning allegations of misconduct.
  • Guided a major global financial institution regarding investigations into the institution’s commodities trading business.
  • Represented several leading hedge funds and fund managers in investigations of derivative trading and other fund practices.

Education
  • J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1976

  • B.S., Franklin & Marshall College, 1973

Bar Admissions
  • District of Columbia

Recognitions
  • Chambers USA, Government Relations: Congressionals Investigations 2021.
  • The Legal 500 US, Dispute Resolution – Securities Litigation – Defense, 2018 to 2019.
  • National Law Journal, White Collar Trailblazers 2018.

Insights and Achievements

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