About the firm
A small firm, built for federal matters.
Founded in 2011 by a former federal prosecutor and a former federal defender who wanted a practice that did one thing carefully: represent people and companies when the federal government is asking questions.
Why we started
Both of us had seen what happens when the first weeks go wrong.
Margaret spent eleven years as a federal prosecutor. Daniel spent nine as a federal defender. From opposite sides they saw the same thing: people who talked to agents to clear things up, companies that answered subpoenas in a rush, and decisions made before anyone understood the process.
Ostrander Vail exists to be the first call. Today the firm has 7 lawyers, an investigator and a discovery manager, and it still takes only federal criminal and white-collar matters.
Three commitments
What you can hold us to.
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Early is everything
The weeks before a charge are when a lawyer can do the most: learn your status, stop informal interviews, preserve the record and, when it helps, make the case for no charge at all.
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Exact, in writing
Every deadline, every risk and every fee is written down. You will know what each step means before you take it, and what we cannot promise as clearly as what we can.
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Confidential by default
No press releases, no case names in our marketing, no client lists. Details are discussed by phone or in person, under privilege, never through a website form.
How a matter runs
From the first call to the closing letter.
Every engagement follows the same five steps, so you always know what comes next and who is responsible for it.
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STEP 01
A screening call
Up to 20 minutes, no charge. We check for conflicts, hear the situation in general terms and tell you whether a full meeting makes sense.
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STEP 02
A strategy meeting
Up to 90 minutes with a partner, under privilege. You leave with a written summary of where you stand and the realistic options.
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STEP 03
A written engagement
Scope, team, phases and a fee estimate, in plain language. Nothing starts until you have read and signed it.
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STEP 04
The work, reported
A partner leads. You hear from us after every significant contact with the government, and you always know the next date.
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STEP 05
A clean close
A closing letter that says what happened, what remains, and what to keep. Records are returned or stored as you choose.
What we will not do
Some promises are easy to make. These are the ones we keep by not making them.
- We will not promise an outcome, or hint at one to win a retainer.
- We will not use your matter, even anonymously, in advertising without written permission.
- We will not talk to the press without your agreement.
- We will not represent two people whose interests could split without telling both, in writing.
- We will not send a bill you did not expect. Estimates come first, phase by phase.
The people
Seven lawyers and the two people who keep the record straight.
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Margaret Ostrander
Founding partner
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Daniel Vail
Founding partner
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Priya Raman
Partner
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Julian Okafor
Counsel
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Helen Brandt
Of counsel
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Ruth Ellison
Investigator
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Tomas Ferreira
Discovery manager
Two associates also work on most larger matters under a partner's direction.
Visiting the office
A private entrance, no sign on the door.
Meetings are by appointment. Clients are met in the lobby and brought up directly, so nobody waits in a reception area. Video meetings are available for every first conversation.
Washington, DC 20005 Open in Google Maps
Confidential consultation
Talk to a lawyer before you talk to anyone else.
A short, confidential call is often enough to learn where you stand and what not to do this week. We will tell you plainly whether we can help.
Please do not send case details through any website form or by email. We cover them by phone or in person, under privilege.
Consultation line: 7 days, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If a search or an arrest is happening now, call at any hour.