Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington, D.C.

Charles Burnham and Eugene Gorokhov founded Burnham & Gorokhov with the goal of providing the highest level of representation to the criminally accused. Today, Burnham & Gorokhov operates as an association of independent law firms consisting of Charles Burnham PLLC and Gorokhov PC —allowing each firm to maintain its independence while continuing to collaborate closely in representing clients when appropriate.

Here are some of the things that make this approach unique:

A collaborative approach. While operating as separate firms, Gorokhov PC and Charles Burnham PLLC regularly work together when it benefits the client. This collaborative model allows clients to draw on the combined knowledge, experience, and strategic insight of multiple seasoned defense attorneys. When appropriate, your case may benefit from the shared perspective and coordinated efforts of attorneys who bring distinct strengths and backgrounds to the representation.

We also know when a case requires outside expertise and how to find the right experts to assist in your defense. Often, cases involve forensic or industry-specific issues that require expert investigation, consultation, or testimony. We are experienced in working with investigators, jury consultants, and highly regarded experts across a wide range of specialties to strengthen your defense when needed.

A creative approach. We believe that each case is unique. We do not apply a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all strategy. Every case demands thorough research and investigation, combined with thoughtful and creative analysis. We take pride in developing innovative defense strategies and making bold, unconventional moves when the circumstances call for it.

Quality, not quantity. Our commitment to collaboration, preparation, and strategic thinking means we intentionally limit the number of cases we accept. This ensures that each client receives the time, attention, and resources their case deserves. Unlike high-volume firms, we focus on delivering meaningful, high-quality representation from start to finish.

Speak with one of our attorneys today to learn how we may assist you.

How We Defend Criminal Cases

The legendary Washington, D.C. criminal defense lawyer Edward Bennett Williams said that “there is no substitute for knowing everything.” This is a benchmark we strive to achieve in every case we take on. Here are some important components of our philosophy:

Know the facts. In any case, it is important for your lawyer to have an absolute command of the facts. This requires effective investigative skills and judgment. It requires knowing what to look for and what to ask. Facts that are seemingly inconsequential at first can at times make all the difference. Likewise, facts that are seemingly fatal to a cause may be easily dispelled when viewed in the context of the bigger picture. We pride ourselves on our ability to review complex and often disorganized information, make sense of it, and put it to work for our clients.

Know the law. Criminal statutes are rarely as straightforward as they seem. Often, there are nuances and complexities that may open the door to strategies and defenses that are not obvious from the plain text of the law. A firm grasp of the facts of any given case is not complete without a comparably thorough understanding of the law to which those facts apply. Meticulous legal research and a command of the concepts at play, paired with the ability to think outside the box and apply those concepts to novel scenarios, are essential ingredients to winning cases. See our practice areas to learn more about specific federal criminal charges and defenses.

Know the court. Although all federal courts throughout the country are governed by the same laws (the Federal Criminal Code, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines), different courts — and even judges within the same district — often have different views and philosophies on how to apply the law. In addition, each district court has its own unique set of local rules. In approaching any case, it is important for your lawyer to understand and be sensitive to these issues in preparing and presenting your case.

Know the client. No representation is complete without understanding the person at the heart of a case. Our duty is to protect the best interests of our client and to tailor our strategy to the specific needs and circumstances of that individual. We pride ourselves on working closely with our clients and treating them as a member of our team.

Jurisdictions We Serve

Burnham & Gorokhov regularly represents clients in federal courts nationwide, as well as in state courts in Virginia and Washington, D.C.  The attorneys at Burnham & Gorokhov have handled federal criminal cases in the District of Columbia, Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria, Norfolk and Richmond divisions), District of Maryland (Greenbelt and Baltimore Divisions), Western District of Virginia, Western District of Michigan, Southern District of New York, Western District of North Carolina, District of Kansas, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th, 10th and 11th Circuits.