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A. Scott Bolden, Esq. (born Alan Scott Bolden, June 8, 1962) is, in his own words, “The luckiest and most unlikely law partner in the history of big law in America.” As a second-generation diverse lawyer, with no road map or guide to building a successful big law practice with “his clients,” not just the “firm’s clients,” he single-handily built a multimillion dollar a year law practice from scratch, generating multiple millions of dollars in revenue over 20-plus years. He achieved this while working for one of the oldest and largest firms in the United States, not compromising on his beliefs and commitments to his family’s roots in the Civil Rights movement, heading up major business and political organizations, and unabashedly sharing his legal and political viewpoints through the media and communities throughout America. He is truly one of a kind and a voice that must be heard, understood, followed by the left, challenged by the right, but respected by all.

Scott is an attorney, law partner, former radio and TV host, and political commentator based in Washington, D.C., but well-known nationally as an accomplished lawyer, a leader in his community and a highly-sought legal and political commentator on local and national media.

Whether in the courtroom, boardroom or on television screens in living rooms across the country, he is a Washington “Super Lawyer” and Democratic insider who combines his distinctive legal and political ability to expertly dismantle the myths and mistruths of both Conservative and Democratic voices, with a sharp-edged approach that is direct, passionate and progressive.

Early life

Bolden was born June 8, 1962 in Joliet, Ill. His father, Raymond Bolden, worked as a trial lawyer (and later as a judge) and inspired his son to embark on his own career in law. He attended Providence High School in New Lenox, Ill.

Growing up with his brother, sister and parents, who were civil rights activists, Bolden learned values through life lessons shared by his family.

He often went with his father, a well-respected criminal defense and civil right attorney, and long-time head of the NAACP in Will County, Ill., as he tried cases across the state. Many times, he and his father would be the only people of color in those courtrooms, and sometimes, he and his father would have to stay with strangers because there was no room at the hotels for African Americans in the cities and towns where his father’s cases were pending. These experiences would shape Bolden’s life forever and make his father his lifetime hero. Together, they were doing justice in his young mind.

His mother, a devoted mother and partner to his father, and a fellow civil rights activist, would support his father’s law practice in the early years, then later return to college and graduate school to receive degrees in black history and sociology. She was also a college professor, administrator and entrepreneur who owned several businesses in the education arena.

Education

Bolden made his way through a grade school and high school that were majority white, where he suffered the pain of being bullied and called the N-word on a regular basis. He attended Providence High School in New Lenox, Ill.

At Morehouse College and later at the Howard University School of Law, he was trained for leadership under the tutelage of giants such as Benjamin E. Mays, Bill Brisbane, Judge William Bryant, Julian Dugas, J. Clay Smith, Luke C. Moore and Wiley Branton.

In 1984, Bolden graduated with a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College, and three years later, he earned his J.D. at the Howard University School of Law.

Law Career

After graduating from law school, Bolden worked as Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office where he not only prosecuted hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases while also challenging the status quo and the lack of diversity in senior management at the office. He then worked as Legal Counsel to the Committee on the Judiciary Council of the District of Columbia.

In 1991, he started as an associate with the law firm Reed Smith, where he would eventually work his way to Partner, then Managing Partner of the firm’s D.C. office. Bolden was the first African American associate at Reed Smith to be promoted from associate to full-equity partner, and he is the longest-serving diverse attorney in the firm’s history. He is also a former At-Large Member of Reed Smith’s Executive Committee.

As a prominent trial and white-collar defense lawyer to whom companies and individuals turn for representation in their most significant concerns, Bolden has handled some of the most high-profile matters in and outside the nation’s capital and is very comfortable handling matters on the national stage. He is particularly adept at assisting clients in navigating crises that present significant legal, business and reputational risks.

As part of his multifaceted litigation practice, Scott has defended clients in local and federal courts in connection with civil RICO claims; fraud, including health care fraud and breach of contract; False Claims Act violations; education matters; government contract claims and disputes; tort claims; and other commercial and regulatory litigation issues.

In his white collar criminal defense practice, Scott has defended individuals and corporate clients in state and federal trials and grand jury proceedings in connection with money laundering, federal and state tax fraud, bank fraud, financial structuring, and other white collar criminal issues; conducted internal investigations for major public and private corporations; conducted Securities Exchange and Commission (SEC) investigations and prosecutions, as well as corporate compliance with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; and defended witnesses before House and Senate investigation committees.

His advancement at Reed Smith was based solely on his excellent trial skills, ambition, aggression and aptitude for developing business and clients. He made friends fast and client relationships even faster, both of which would sustain him for a lifetime. He developed a knack for representing high-profile business and political leaders, sports and entertainment figures, and white-collar criminal defendants. He was media savvy and a favorite source or commentator on not only his cases, but other cases pending around the country. His view was “what’s the use of being the best lawyer in America if no one knows you and you have no clients.”

As a partner at the firm, Bolden would lead the DC Chamber of Commerce and the DC Democratic Party, host a local radio show called “What Matters Most…,” and even co-host his own television cable show called “Building Bridges for Business.” In 2006, Bolden ran to become an at-large member of the Council for the District of Columbia and lost. He returned to Reed Smith to become the first African American managing partner of the D.C. office, a post he would serve for eight years and serve with distinction and several accomplishments. In 2014, he became a member of the Executive Committee of the firm, by then a $1.3 billion enterprise.

While Bolden still maintains a robust litigation practice of high-profile clients, he is also still giving back to his community. He also provides weekly legal and political commentary on national media outlets. Bolden continues to find time to mentor Morehouse and Howard students. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Morehouse College and on the Board of Visitors of the Howard School of Law. He also serves on the board of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and chairs the National Bar Association Political Action Committee.

Media Appearances

Bolden has made countless appearances on local and major national news channels—including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Fox Business Network, TV ONE and other media outlets—as a commentator, sharing his views on politics, law, society and business.

He has appeared on CNN’s “Newsroom” and “Situation Room,” MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” Fox News Channel’s ‘Happening Now” and “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” TV ONE’s “News One Now,” Fox Business Network and Fox Business Network’s “After the Bell.” He has also appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and “ESPN,” as well as multiple local media outlets, including WUSA, WJLA, WTTG Fox 5, WTOP, WHUR and NBC 4.

Bolden is one of America’s most trusted legal and political commentators providing sound, comprehensive, fact-based analysis that condemns extreme rhetoric from both political parties. He is a vocal critic of the “alt-right” agenda challenging the actions, attitudes and shrouded attempts by Republicans and President Trump to perpetuate policies and political rhetoric that have been rejected by our congress and the courts.

Awards, Distinctions, and Associations

Bolden was the 2013 recipient of Howard University’s Distinguished Alumni Award in the Field of Law, and the Washington Business Journal previously named him the publication’s Top Lawyer in the White-Collar Crime category. He also won the Chamber’s Choice Award in 2012 from the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and was identified by the Washington Post as “Washington’s Newest Super Lawyer.”

His honors and awards include:

• UNCF Masked Ball Leadership Award (2016)
• Greater Washington Urban League Presidents Award for Service (2016)
• Howard University School of Law Alumni Association Leadership Award (2016)
• Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers - Criminal Defense; White Collar (2013-2017)
• Washington Post Magazines Top Lawyers Award (2013-2016)
• 2014 Presidential Star Award, The National Bar Association
• 2014 Champion of Law & Public Service Award, Morehouse College Alumni Association D.C. Chapter
• Howard University's Distinguished Alumni Award in the Field of Law (2013)
• Recreation Wish List Committee’s Chairman’s Award, and naming and dedication of the Bolden Room at the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center in Washington, D.C. (2012)
• D.C. Chamber of Commerce, Chamber’s Choice Business Leadership Award (2012)
• 34th Annual Leadership Award, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club (2010)
• D.C. Public School Community Service Award, Jefferson Junior High School (2006)
• D.C. Water and Sewer Authority’s Distinguished Public Service Award (2003)
• D.C. Bar Board of Governor's Service Recognition (2002)
• Leadership Washington Graduate (1997)

His professional and community affiliations include:

• National Bar Association Political Action Committee – Chairman, Board of Directors (2017)
• Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies – Member, Board of Governors (2013 - present)
• Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia – Member, Board of Directors (2012 - 2015)
• Economic Club of Washington, D.C. – Member (1998 - present)
• Morehouse College—Board of Trustees (2016—Present)
• Howard University School of Law – Member, Board of Visitors (2011 - present)
• Federal City Council – Member, Executive Board (2008 - 2013)
• Candidate for D.C. Council, At Large (2006)
• Individual Development Corporation – Board of Directors (1999 - 2013)
• D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Member, Board of Directors (1998 - 2013)
• D.C. Chamber of Commerce – Chairman (1998)
• District of Columbia Bar – Board of Governors (1999 - 2003)
• D.C. Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee – Chairman (2000-2002)
• D.C. Democratic State Committee – Chair (2002 - 2004)
• D.C. Water and Sewer Authority – Board Member (1998 - 2002)
• District Court of the District of Columbia's Committee on Grievances – Member (1998 - 2003)
• Sequoia National Bank – Director (1998 - 2004)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member)

Personal Life

Bolden lives in Washington, D.C., is married and has four children and one granddaughter.