Swafford Law LLC provides legal services and advice to companies and individuals throughout the United States, from its office across from the Maryland Capitol Building in downtown Annapolis, MD.

Although we maintain a somewhat diverse practice, we try to focus on providing clients with Litigation, Corporate & Small Businesses (Formation, Operation & Compliance), Contracts (Government & Commercial), and Privacy, advice and support. In addition to those areas, we also try to maintain a robust pro bono practice, where we’ve assisted clients in matters involving Animal Law, Landlord Tenant, Criminal, and Immigration.

While we can’t promise any result before an agency or court, we can say we’ll do our best to give you the best advice under the circumstances, and stay focused on results rather than process.

How Swafford Law Is Different

• you get the same level of professionalism and experience you would at a large law firm, but will never be delegated to a junior associate or support staff
• you always get honest & practical advice, even if that means your best solution isn’t a legal one
• you are never just “walked through” a legal process and thought of as someone that just sends checks — your own “bottom line” matters

Who Is Swafford Law

Scott Swafford, a member of the Maryland and DC Bars and the American Bar Association, is a lawyer with experience practicing law at a large international law firm, Arnold & Porter, LLP, and extensive experiences before becoming a lawyer with work for federal agencies, government contractors, and the US military.

Education
JD, summa cum laude, American University,
Washington College of Law, 2007
BA, magna cum laude, Webster University, 1992
Prior Experience
Information Technology & Security, International & Federal Project Management, Federal Contracting, Military Intelligence
Perspective
Veteran, Soccer Coach, Destination Imagination Team Manager, Active Pro Bono Practice

Where Do We Practice?

District of Columbia; Maryland; US Federal District Court Md; Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Pro bono publico: literally, for the public good

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Swafford Law maintains a commitment to pro bono work, and has as its goal to devote 25% of its time each year to pro bono matters. Although not as lofty sometimes as securing a defendant’s right to counsel in criminal cases (see Gideon v. Wainwright, 372 U.S. 335 (1963), as an excellent example of what pro bono efforts can achieve), we do our best to uphold those traditions where a need and time exists.

Some examples of our pro bono work include:

• Collaboration with the Children’s Law Center on a complex federal civil rights suit addressing problems with interstate adoption
• International, inter-familial adoptions done outside of Hague Convention procedures
• Securing U-Visas for victims of violent crimes
• Assisting First Responders in business formation, set up, and legal operations
• Challenging agency seizures & continued retention of animals from individuals even after they’ve been acquitted of any criminal charges
• Representing defendants before the Court of Appeals and securing opinions sending clear messages to prosecutors that rules requiring them to provide evidence they intend to use at sentencing hearings must be disclosed beforehand, must be followed
• Securing dismissals of criminal and protective order charges brought against active duty servicemen
• Securing judgments and treble damages against employers who failed to pay their employees their wages
• Defending small businesses in lease actions brought by landlords

While we can’t provide pro bono support in every instance, we do try to prioritize and offer whatever support we can to active duty and first responders.