When well-known defense lawyer Brian Steel ran into legal trouble, his wife Colette (née Resnik) Steel stepped in immediately. More than just a spouse, Colette has earned a reputation as a powerful presence in the legal community.
After Brian was taken into custody for alleged contempt of court, Colette moved quickly—filing a Notice of Appeal to challenge Judge Glanville’s ruling and taking the lead in his defense.
Although Brian was initially sentenced to serve 20 days in jail across ten weekends, the Supreme Court of Georgia granted him a Supersedeas Bond, keeping him out of custody while the appeal moves forward. That outcome is largely credited to Colette’s rapid and effective legal action.
As a team, they combine personal loyalty with professional strength, ready to tackle difficult legal challenges together both inside and outside the courtroom.
A Married Legal Team Working Together for Nearly 30 Years
Since 1997, Colette and Brian have been the driving partners at The Steel Law Firm, P.C. Working side by side, they’ve developed a reputation for tenacity and a sincere commitment to achieving justice for their clients.
Colette has established a notable record in criminal defense and civil litigation, securing strong results in both state and federal courts. She has represented clients in cases ranging from white-collar matters to violent crimes and drug-related offenses, often winning acquittals.
Her work also covers forfeiture defense and Title IX representation, along with civil actions arising from criminal accusations. In addition, she defends licensed professionals facing disciplinary proceedings.
An active member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL), Colette has served on the Amicus Curiae Committee and led the Lawyer’s Assistance Committee/Strike Force as Chair from 2012 to 2016. The GACDL honored her with the President’s Commitment to GACDL Award in both 2014 and 2016.
Her academic credentials include a Doctor of Law from Emory University and a B.A. from Brandeis University. She is authorized to practice before the United States Supreme Court; the United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia; the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; and the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Three Kids at Home — Favorite? That’s Just a Family Shtick
In the Steel household—where Brian and Colette are raising their three spirited kids, Jake, Bari, and Alisa—the idea of naming a favorite is treated more like playful ribbing than a serious verdict. Mealtimes can move from passing the peas to debating legal matters, so normal it is not.
Bari Steel, fresh from law school and with a grin to match, celebrated landing her dream role as an Assistant Public Defender in Miami by jokingly claiming top-shelf status on LinkedIn, noting she was “officially” her parents’ favorite for following in their footsteps.
Her mother, Colette, wasn’t about to let that stand without a playful, lawyerly reply — she responded with pride and a reminder about her impartial affection for all three children.
Older sibling Jake has built a reputation in political organizing, beginning as a Field Organizer for Joe Biden and moving up to serve as Deputy Data Director for the Democratic Party of Georgia.
And then there’s Alisa, the youngest, who prefers to keep her achievements off social media, which only adds a bit of mystery to the sibling mix.
