Attorneys

Biography

A prominent litigator focusing on criminal defense, David B. Irwin has an outstanding and well-earned reputation for successfully handling high-stakes civil and criminal litigation. David has tried cases throughout the state of Maryland, other federal jurisdictions, and in federal and state appellate courts. According to Chambers USA, David is "a terrific lawyer in criminal matters."

With more than four decades of experience, David has handled cases of national and international interest, including the representation of a former currency trader for Allied Irish Banks (Allfirst Bank), and a former U.S. civil servant who played a pivotal role in the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. David also represents corporations, public officials, doctors, lawyers, members of the judiciary, and other professionals in both civil and criminal liability matters in federal and state courts.

With his depth of experience, David is frequently called upon to testify as an expert witness in civil and criminal matters including, most recently, the post-conviction defense of the main subject of the podcast "Serial."

David began his legal career in 1973 as an assistant state's attorney, first in Baltimore City and then Baltimore County, where he ultimately served as Chief of the Felony Trial Division. In 1980, David became an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland and in 1983, was appointed Coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Region of the President's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. David joined Venable in 1985 before founding his own firm in 1988.

David has served as a guest lecturer at law schools, colleges, and professional associations on criminal law and related issues.

Recognition

Selected for The Daily Record Criminal Law Power List, 2022

Selected for inclusion in Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Maryland, since 2021

Recognized in Benchmark Litigation, "Local Litigation Star," for Appellate, Commercial Litigation, Competition/antitrust, Intellectual property, Product liability and recall, Securities

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White Collar, since 2006; named Baltimore Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year 2022

Service

American Judicature Society, former Board of Directors

Baltimore County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, by County Executive appointment

Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, Constitutional Protections Advisory Board

Memberships

American Bar Association

Baltimore County Bar Association

Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys' Association

Maryland State Bar Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Outside the Office

Sports enthusiast.