Edward Ungvarsky

Edward Ungvarsky, a graduate of Yale Law School in 1993, has dedicated nearly 25 years to criminal defense. Practicing in both state courts in Virginia and the District of Columbia, as well as federal courts nationwide, he is particularly active in the DC, Virginia, and Maryland federal district courts.

During his time at law school, Edward gained valuable experience working with Jenner & Block and Akin, Gump, two prominent DC law firms. Following his federal appellate clerkship, he honed his skills in criminal appeals and post-conviction habeas appeals at public service law offices in Tempe, Arizona, and New York City.

In 1997, Edward relocated to Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia to focus on criminal defense trial work. His 12-year tenure at the DC Public Defender Service included roles as a trial attorney, supervising trial attorney, special counsel for forensic DNA and forensic sciences, and chief of the trial division. As the lead trial attorney, he managed a 60-attorney unit and maintained an active caseload, personally trying approximately 50 cases and supervising hundreds more.

In 2009, Edward took on the leadership of the Northern Virginia Capital Defender Office, where he successfully prevented 18 clients from receiving death sentences. Notably, in 2018, he secured a life verdict for a client in a high-profile case involving the murder of a wife and a police officer, in a jurisdiction known for its stringent prosecutorial history.

Edward's approach is characterized by thoughtful, creative, and compassionate representation, extending his expertise to white collar and criminal defense clients in federal court, DC Superior Court, and trial courts across Virginia.