Fred is a seasoned litigator who serves clients nationally as a member of the firm’s General Liability Litigation Practice Group and Business Litigation Practice Group. He possesses extensive courtroom, litigation, and managerial experience.
Before joining Shook, Fred served on active duty in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps. As a judge advocate, Fred provided strategic advice and legal counsel to senior officials within the Department of Defense. He also successfully led legal teams domestically and abroad in matters ranging from administrative hearings and ethics issues to internal investigations and criminal prosecutions.
Most recently, Fred served as a civil litigation attorney in the Army’s Litigation Division. Working with the Department of Justice, he defended the Army and its senior leaders in more than 50 lawsuits in federal district and appellate courts across the United States. He also provided litigation risk assessments to senior officials in the U.S. Army, Department of Defense agencies, and Department of Justice.
Prior to that, Fred served as a federal prosecutor in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. As a federal prosecutor, he served as lead counsel in 17 felony trials and supervised junior trial attorneys in other criminal law, labor and employment law, and administrative law actions. Fred has substantial experience in trial strategy, jury selection, opening statements and closing arguments, evidentiary disputes, and expert witness examinations. His pretrial experience includes conducting investigations, discovery, motions practice, settlement negotiations, and witness preparation.
While at Fort Hood, Fred also served as a deputy general counsel to senior military leadership. In that role, he led internal investigations, responded to congressional inquiries, provided counsel on ethics issues, and advised senior leaders on criminal, fiscal, and administrative law matters.
Fred is a decorated combat veteran with operational experience at the tactical and strategic levels. Before earning his J.D., he served as an infantry officer and deployed multiple times to Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment. While in the Army, Fred maintained a top secret security clearance and was recognized with decorations such as the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Note: District of Columbia admission pending—practicing under the supervision of a licensed attorney.