Melodia, Paul V.

Edward McQuat is a senior trial attorney with The Blanch Law Firm and focuses on complex criminal cases in both the state and federal levels including, white collar crime, drug trafficking, computer crimes and violent crime charges. Prior to joining The Blanch Law Firm, Mr. McQuat served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Syracuse New York for approximately sixteen years. For the last seven of those years Mr. Mcquat served as Chief of the Narcotics Bureau. Mr. McQuat was responsible for the management of several thousand narcotics cases involving both international drug trafficking cartels and inter-state drug transport investigations as well as matters related to Organized and White-Collar Crime. Mr. McQuat has tried numerous major felony cases with a win rate exceeding ninety percent.

WHITE-COLLAR CRIME/ASSET FORFEITURE

In addition to his experience as Chief of the Narcotics Bureau, Mr. McQuat has gained vast experience prosecuting and defending cases arising in the field of white collar crimes, such as Bank Fraud, Wire and Mail Fraud, Document and Contract Fraud and all related activities. His experience also extends to complex investigations involving Larceny, Embezzlement and Check Kiting Schemes as well as other Schemes to Defraud. Mr. McQuat has extensive experience in the matters of Federal and State Asset Forfeiture, including those involving cash, real property, all types of motor vehicles, stocks and all other accounts and properties the Government seeks to forfeit in conjunction with criminal activity.

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

Throughout his career, Mr. McQuat handled numerous cases involving the implementation of electronic surveillance techniques in long-term confidential investigations. These cases were at the local, state and federal levels. These wiretap investigations were not limited to narcotics cases, but also applied to White-collar, Homicide, and Sex Crimes.

INVESTIGATIONS

Mr.McQuat has several years of experience conducting complex and far-reaching criminal investigations into areas of public corruption, law enforcement complaints and other confidential issues including gang activity, misuse of public information and fraud cases.

APPEALS

Mr.McQuat has experience in appeals as both a prosecutor and a defense counsel. Mr.McQuat began his career in the Appeals Unit of the Legal Aid Society, researching, writing and arguing approximately forty cases before the New York State Appellate Division. As a prosecutor, he was in charge of the Appeals Bureau, writing, researching and arguing over hundred cases before the Appellate Division.

Mr.McQuat has submitted and argued several cases before the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York. He had the honor and privilege to submit two cases to the United States Supreme Court.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Mr.McQuat received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1981 from St.John's University, Jamaica, New York. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Syracuse University College of Law in 1984.
During his career Mr.McQuat has been a guest lecturer at the SU College of Law and the SU Maxwell School of Public Administration.

Mr.McQuat was invited to teach at the National Prosecutors Training Centre through the National Association of District Attorneys in Charleston, South Carolina. Mr.McQuat has also lectured and trained law enforcement personnel throughout his career at the local, regional and state level.

Mr.McQuat conducted training/lecturing at both law enforcement academies and in service to experienced officers. His areas of expertise include Search and seizure, Trial Practice, Evidence Collection and Preservation and Forensic Evidence.