Courtney Forrest
Partner

cforrest@kaiserlaw.com | P (202) 640-2850

Courtney Forrest is a versatile and seasoned litigator who helps clients navigate high-stakes problems in criminal, civil, and congressional matters.

Courtney has represented criminal defendants in federal courts in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Her clients have included a nonprofit organization in connection with possible receipt of straw donor contributions from Sam Bankman-Fried; an individual charged with federal criminal offenses following his cooperation with the Mueller investigation; and a key witness in a high-profile tax fraud trial. Most recently, Courtney prevailed in an appeal in the Fourth Circuit, overturning her client’s convictions for naturalization fraud.

On the civil side, Courtney handles cases for clients both large and small. She represents corporate clients in all types of high-stakes business litigation. For example, Courtney recently represented a national pharmacy chain in a multi-million dollar dispute with its former law firm, reaching a highly advantageous settlement. In other matters, she has litigated contract disputes for small businesses and prepared individuals for interviews with administrative bodies, helping her clients navigate these stressful experiences with confidence and grace. Courtney has a particular focus on defamation and anti-SLAPP issues, and has won such cases for clients in trial level and appellate courts.

Courtney also helps individuals and businesses respond to congressional inquiries and investigations. She has represented clients who have testified in connection with the impeachment inquiry of President Biden and in connection with the congressional and Inspector General scrutiny of the Trump International Hotel in Washington during the prior administration.

Prior to joining Kaiser, Courtney practiced at Covington & Burling LLP. While there, she litigated a wide range of white collar and patent cases from inception through trial and was twice recognized by Washington DC Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” in Intellectual Property Law. She also maintained an active pro bono caseload, which involved handling criminal, immigration, and family law matters. Most notably, she secured an acquittal for a defendant charged with first-degree assault in Maryland state court after a multi-day jury trial.

Courtney is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia. She holds a Top Secret/ SCI security clearance.

When she is not working, Courtney has three young children who keep her on her toes. She is a past parent liaison for the Special Education PTA in Arlington, Virginia, and previously served on the Executive Board of her children’s cooperative preschool. She enjoys decorating birthday cakes and is an avid Buffalo Bills fan.

Memberships and Organizations

• Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court, Member
• Women’s White Collar Defense Association, Member

Education

• J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude
• A.B., Harvard University, magna cum laude

Government Service

• Clerkship. The Honorable Roger W. Titus, United States District Court for the District of Maryland