Edward L. Dowd Jr.

Edward L. Dowd, Jr. is a litigator who defends corporations, professional service firms, and individuals in high-stakes complex civil and white collar criminal cases and investigations. He represents clients before the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the SEC, the DOJ, the EPA, Health and Human Services and other federal and state agencies. In addition, Ed works with companies to strengthen corporate compliance in order to avoid the initial missteps that result in investigations and trials.

Ed’s legal career includes years as a federal prosecutor, private practice litigator and as special counsel in the investigation of events surrounding the Branch Davidians in Waco. He knows the intricacies of investigations and litigation from the perspectives of the prosecutor, investigator, and the person or company being pursued.

Repeatedly recognized for his work in white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation and corporate compliance by industry publications, Ed was named Best Lawyers® 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” for Corporate Compliance Law in St. Louis in the 22nd edition of Best Lawyers® and is again named by Super Lawyers Magazine as a Missouri Super Lawyer. Immediately prior to founding Dowd Bennett, Ed was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP, where he defended clients in corporate compliance and defense, healthcare, and environmental and commercial litigation.

Earlier, as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, Ed set policy and supervised the professional and support staff in handling thousands of civil and criminal cases for the U.S. government.

Ed moderated a three-judge panel that discussed “Protecting the Record for Appeals” at the 2015 Bench & Bar Conference of The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. He is a past president of the National Association of Former United States Attorneys.

• Missouri

• Certified as a Mediator at University of Missouri Columbia School of Law, 2005
• J.D., with Distinction, St. Mary’s University, 1977
• B.A., Saint Louis University, Government, 1971

John C. Danforth, Office of Special Counsel, Waco Investigation, Deputy Special Counsel, 1999-2000

U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, 1993-1999

Attorney General’s Committee on Environmental Issues, Chair, 1995-1999

Central Region of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Core City U.S. Attorney

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri,1979-1984

U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2016 Lawyer of the Year for Corporate Compliance Law in St. Louis

The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015-2016

The Best Lawyers in America©, 2007-2016

• Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2007-2016
• Corporate Compliance Law, 2011-2016
• Commercial Litigation, 2016

Dedication Award  – United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Missouri, 2007

Award of Achievement – Missouri Police Chiefs Association, 2000

Public Service Award – Department of Justice, for Mississippi River Environmental Council, 1999

Administrator’s Award for outstanding contributions to drug law enforcement – Drug  Enforcement Administration, 1999

Award for Distinguished Service – Department of Justice, 1999

Commendation from United States Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, 1984

Department of Justice Outstanding Service Award, 1984

United States Treasury Department, in recognition of support to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1984

Recognition of service to the U.S. Forest Service – Law Enforcement and Investigations Bureau of USDA

St. Louis Bank,  Director, Founder , Chairman of the Audit Committee

National Association of Former United States Attorneys – President – 2008

Citizens for Missouri Courts – Trustee

BackStoppers – President

St. Louis Regional Crime Commission – President

Downtown Children’s Center, Honorary Chair of Fundraising Drive