Overview
Dwight Draughon defends corporations and individuals in white-collar criminal cases and government investigations, focusing on matters related to public corruption, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and fraud. He also assists companies in internal investigations and has experience working with clients in the higher education and K–12 industries. In addition to representing clients in white-collar defense and government investigations matters, Dwight helps clients navigate civil litigation cases, particularly those headed to trial.
Dwight brings a confident and creative approach to his practice, skillfully conducting depositions, client interviews, and meetings with government officials. Clients benefit from his impressive trial experience gained during his four-year tenure as an Assistant US Attorney for the District of Maryland.
While serving as an Assistant US Attorney, Dwight tried five jury trials, including a seven-day trial with more than 30 witnesses, and secured verdicts in each of them. He also was responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases involving wire, bank, and procurement fraud, public corruption, hate crimes, firearm trafficking, and numerous other federal offenses. He also acted as the US Attorney’s Office civil rights coordinator, investigating criminal violations of civil rights.
Additionally, Dwight is highly active in pro bono work and serves the firm in various leadership roles, including Hiring Partner and Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee.
In 2023, Dwight was selected as a member of the National Bar Association’s “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate” list.
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- Hon. George J. Hazel, US District Court, District of Maryland, 2015-16
- J.D., Howard University School of Law, 2014
- M.A., American University, 2011, Education
- A.B., Princeton University, 2009, History
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Represented inventor and his company Coda Development s.r.o in securing $65 million jury verdict in trade secrets case against Goodyear Rubber and Tire Company involving self-inflating tire technology.
- Part of the Steptoe team that secured a mid-trial Rule 29 acquittal for a businessman accused of bribing a former Pennsylvania Treasurer with campaign contributions, in a 79-count honest services bribery and money laundering case tried in federal court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- Represented bitcoin ATM company and CEO in DOJ criminal investigation. The government declined to pursue charges.
News & Publications
Client Alerts
US Supreme Court Holds Race-Based University Admissions Programs Unconstitutional
June 30, 2023
By: Ryan P. Poscablo, Brigida Benitez, Eric Berman, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Shannon Reid, Brittney Denley
Press Releases
Dwight Draughon Named to 2023 National Bar Association "40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocates"
June 13, 2023
Press Releases
March 29, 2023
Press Releases
November 7, 2022
Press Releases
September 20, 2022
Press Releases
Former Assistant US Attorney Dwight Draughon Returns to Steptoe as Partner in Washington, DC
July 11, 2022
Resources
Noteworthy
- The National Black Lawyers, Washington, DC, 2024 National Black Lawyers Top 100
- National Bar Association, 2023 National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocate
Previous Employment
- Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney's Office, District of Maryland (2018–22)
- Corps Member, Teach for America, Washington, DC
Professional Affiliations
- Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS, Board Chair
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- DC Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, White Collar Crime Committee member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2023 Fellow
- National Bar Association