Manuel Retureta

Manuel Retureta is a founding partner of Retureta & Wassem, P.L.L.C. and serves as the firm’s lead trial attorney in Washington, DC. He handles complex civil litigation and serious criminal defense matters in federal and state courts. His work has included representation of civil litigants, foreign leaders, corporate executives, and other individuals in white-collar, death-penalty, large-conspiracy, transnational, and other high-stakes criminal cases.

Retureta earned a J.D. from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Before entering private practice, he clerked for Chief Judge Walter T. Cox III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. His education and clerkship provided a foundation for trial work involving constitutional issues, federal procedure, complex evidence, and appellate considerations.

Retureta has assembled and participated in diverse trial teams and served as lead counsel in large, multi-defendant criminal cases. His practice has taken him into federal courts across the United States and several state and local jurisdictions. He also provides legal analysis to media outlets on major legal matters and has participated in court committees involving professional responsibility, disclosure obligations, magistrate-judge selection, and other federal judicial issues.

Manuel Retureta is admitted in the District of Columbia and several federal courts, including appellate courts and the Supreme Court of the United States. His professional service includes involvement with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia, and federal court committees. He also devotes time to pro bono representation and has received an Unsung Hero Award in Washington, DC for community service.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Retureta & Wassem
• Member, District of Columbia Bar

Licensed State

• District of Columbia

Education

• The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• UC San Diego
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges