Brian Steel is an American criminal defense attorney widely regarded as one of the most respected trial lawyers in the United States. He gained nationwide recognition for representing rapper Jeffery “Young Thug” Williams during the YSL Records racketeering trial, the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history. He later joined the legal teams of Sean “Diddy” Combs and rapper Lil Durk, cementing his reputation as a go-to lawyer for high-profile criminal cases.
Brian Steel Biography
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Brian Steel |
| Gender | Male |
| Year of birth | 1965 |
| Age | 60–61 years old (as of June 2026) |
| Place of birth | Queens, New York, United States |
| Current residence | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Has expressed interest in Buddhism as a philosophy |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | Around 165 lbs (75 kg) |
| Hair colour | Grey |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Colette Resnik Steel |
| Children | Three |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan; Fordham University School of Law |
| Profession | Criminal defense attorney |
| Law firm | The Steel Law Firm, P.C. |
| Net worth | Estimated at $5 million |
Who is Brian Steel?
Brian Steel is an American attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, who has built a national reputation as one of the country’s sharpest criminal defense lawyers.
Born in Queens, New York in 1965, he runs The Steel Law Firm, P.C. with his wife, Colette. He has defended clients in over a dozen states and is known for taking on cases other attorneys consider unwinnable.
Steel rose to fame outside the legal community after his fierce defense of rapper Young Thug in the YSL RICO trial. His name later became part of pop culture when Drake and PartyNextDoor titled a song after him on their 2025 album Some Sexy Songs 4 U.
How old is Brian Steel? Age and early life
Brian Steel is 60 years old as of June 2026, having been born in 1965 in Queens, New York. He grew up in New York before moving south for his legal career. Although he has not publicly shared his exact birthday, multiple sources confirm his birth year.
He has spoken warmly about his upbringing and credits his parents for shaping his strong work ethic. Brian sends daily inspirational messages to his children, a habit he reportedly picked up from his own family traditions.
Brian Steel’s height, weight, and physical appearance
Brian Steel stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs around 165 lbs (75 kg). He keeps a lean frame thanks to a daily exercise routine that includes running, swimming, and weightlifting. He has competed in marathons and is reportedly able to bench-press an estimated 325 pounds.
He has greying hair, brown eyes, and is often photographed in tailored suits during courtroom appearances. His disciplined fitness habits stand out in legal circles, where colleagues describe him as one of the most physically active attorneys they know.
Brian Steel education
Brian Steel earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1987. He went on to study law at Fordham University School of Law in New York, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1990.
He originally planned to become a tax attorney and was accepted into New York University’s Master of Laws program during his third year. He briefly worked at Price Waterhouse before changing direction toward criminal defense, a switch that defined his entire career.
Brian Steel career
Brian Steel has practiced law since 1991, building one of the most respected criminal defense practices in the southern United States.
Early career
After leaving tax law, Steel worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Fulton County, Atlanta, from 1991 to 1993. He then became a partner at Wolfe & Steel, P.C. between 1994 and 1997 before launching his own firm.
Founding The Steel Law Firm
In 1997, Brian opened The Steel Law Firm, P.C. in Atlanta with his wife, Colette. The firm handles cases involving RICO charges, wire fraud, murder, armed robbery, drug offenses, and sex crimes in both state and federal courts. He is licensed before the United States Supreme Court and several federal circuits.
The YSL Records racketeering trial
Brian Steel became a household name through his defense of Atlanta rapper Young Thug in the YSL Records RICO trial. The case, which began with arrests in May 2022, stretched into the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history at over 22 months.
During the trial, Brian was held in contempt of court by Judge Ural Glanville in June 2024 after refusing to reveal his source about a private meeting.
He was sentenced to 20 days in jail to be served over 10 weekends. The Georgia Supreme Court later reversed the contempt order, vindicating his stand. Young Thug ultimately accepted a plea deal in October 2024 and walked free after serving time already in custody.
Sean “Diddy” Combs case
In April 2025, Brian Steel joined Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team ahead of the music mogul’s federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial.
Combs was acquitted of the most serious charges in July 2025 but was convicted on two counts related to prostitution. He was sentenced to over four years in prison, and Steel’s team announced plans to appeal.
Lil Durk and other clients
In March 2026, Brian replaced Jonathan Brayman as counsel for rapper Lil Durk in his federal murder-for-hire case.
His client list also includes former NBA player Javaris Crittenton and Jackie Johnson, the former Georgia district attorney accused of mishandling the Ahmaud Arbery murder investigation.
Awards and recognition
Brian Steel is Georgia’s most accomplished criminal appellate attorney with over 300 published opinions and around 45 reversals to his credit.
He has been named a Georgia Super Lawyer every year since 2004 and listed in Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite since 2003. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the most exclusive groups in the profession.
What is Brian Steel’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Brian Steel’s net worth is estimated at around $5 million, though some outlets suggest the figure could be higher. The exact amount has never been publicly disclosed.
He earns his income primarily through his criminal defense practice at The Steel Law Firm, P.C. High-profile clients are reported to pay seven-figure retainers. In a 2019 song, Young Thug mentioned paying his attorney roughly two million dollars in fees over time.
Brian Steel income sources
His estimated wealth comes from several streams:
- Legal retainers from celebrity clients
- Appellate work and published opinions
- Speaking engagements at legal seminars and continuing legal education programs
- Co-ownership of The Steel Law Firm with his wife Colette
Is Brian Steel married? Wife and children
Brian Steel is married to Colette Resnik Steel, a fellow attorney who serves as his law partner at The Steel Law Firm. The two founded the practice together in 1997, and they have worked side by side ever since.
Brian Steel wife
Colette Resnik Steel is an experienced lawyer who handles motions and casework alongside her husband. Colleagues describe the couple as devoted to each other, with one friend telling The New Yorker that they “kind of idolize each other.”
Brian Steel children
Brian and Colette share three children, whose names have not been made public out of respect for family privacy. He is known for sending his kids daily encouraging messages reminding them to smile, stay focused, and enjoy each day.
Fast facts about Brian Steel
- He was born in Queens, New York, in 1965 but built his career in Atlanta, Georgia.
- He earned his BBA from the University of Michigan and his JD from Fordham Law.
- He started out as a tax attorney at Price Waterhouse before switching to criminal defense.
- He does not drink alcohol, smoke, or use profanity, even when reading transcripts in court.
- His typical lunch is tofu or salmon with a salad, and he reportedly brings a toothbrush to court.
- Drake and PartyNextDoor named a song after him on their 2025 album Some Sexy Songs 4 U.
- He has been Georgia Super Lawyer every year since 2004.
- He represented Young Thug in the longest criminal trial in Georgia’s history.
- He runs marathons and reportedly bench-presses around 325 pounds.
- He has expressed personal interest in Buddhist philosophy as a way of life.
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Wrapping up
Brian Steel has spent over three decades quietly building one of America’s most respected criminal defense practices before being thrust into the spotlight by the YSL trial.
From defending Young Thug and Sean “Diddy” Combs to joining Lil Durk’s federal case in 2026, he continues to handle some of the country’s most-watched criminal proceedings. His blend of discipline, preparation, and old-fashioned ethics has made him a true legend of the courtroom.
References
- Wikipedia. “Brian Steel”.
- The New Yorker. “A Lawyer Freed Young Thug. Now He’s Defending Diddy”.
- American College of Trial Lawyers. “Brian Steel – ACTL”.
- Fox News. “Diddy’s powerhouse lawyer doesn’t drink, smoke or curse: What to know about Brian Steel”.
- The Steel Law Firm. “About Brian Steel”.
- Billboard. “Lil Durk Case: Lawyer Brian Steel Files to Join Defense Team”.
- Wikipedia. “YSL Records racketeering trial”.
- Rolling Stone Australia. “Young Thug’s Lawyer Has Contempt Order Overturned”.
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