Ed Swanson

Ed Swanson is a prominent attorney and partner at Swanson & McNamara LLP, a law firm based in San Francisco, California. He specializes in trial and appellate law, focusing on white-collar crime, general criminal defense, and complex commercial litigation. Swanson has been recognized as a leading lawyer in his field, consistently ranked in Band 1 for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations by Chambers USA and named a Northern California Super Lawyer since 2003.14

Education and Early Career

Swanson earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Stanford University in 1991, graduating with distinction and as a member of the Order of the Coif. He also received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Stanford in 1985. Before co-founding Swanson & McNamara LLP in 1998, he served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of California and clerked for Judge Thelton Henderson of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Additionally, he worked in South Africa in the early 1990s, assisting the African National Congress in establishing a land claims court.125

Professional Achievements

Swanson's legal practice encompasses a wide range of criminal matters, including trade secret theft, securities fraud, tax fraud, and healthcare fraud. He has achieved significant results for his clients, such as the dismissal of charges in complex federal cases and favorable resolutions in high-stakes civil litigation.12

He is also involved in various professional organizations, serving as co-chair of the Northern District of California Federal Criminal Practice Committee and has taught negotiation and trial advocacy at local law schools. His contributions to the legal community have earned him accolades, including recognition as Best Lawyers' "Lawyer of the Year" in White Collar Criminal Defense and Bet-the-Company Litigation in 2023.123

Current Role

At Swanson & McNamara LLP, Swanson continues to represent individuals and corporations in both criminal and civil matters, providing strategic legal counsel and advocacy in state and federal courts. His firm is noted for its expertise in handling sensitive white-collar cases and complex civil litigation, often involving high-profile clients and significant legal challenges.23