Described by Benchmark Litigation as one of the “brightest litigators across the US” and Chambers as “incredibly smart” and “tenacious, engaging and hard charging,” Vicki Chou is an accomplished trial lawyer and a key member of both the Trial Practice and the White Collar and Investigations teams. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America, which is composed of less than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province.
Ms. Chou represents individuals and companies in high stakes business disputes and criminal matters, including complex commercial litigation, intellectual property matters, SEC enforcement actions, shareholder litigation, and white collar criminal defense. She has earned the highest praise for her courtroom skills, most recently from the judge after a 10-week trial for an “unparalleled” and “extraordinary” performance. She is equally effective outside the courtroom, whether that be termination of a high-stakes criminal investigation or a quiet pre-litigation settlement in a sensitive matter.
A former Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California where she was a Deputy Chief, Ms. Chou represented the United States in hundreds of criminal cases, including computer and internet fraud, intellectual property, money laundering, cryptocurrency, bank fraud, tax fraud, immigration fraud, drug trafficking, and racketeering offenses. Many of her matters involved high level, international coordination.
Ms. Chou is also an active member of the legal community, serving on the boards of multiple organizations, including as President of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association. Ms. Chou also serves on the Merit Selection Panel for the Central District of California, where she assists in evaluating and recommending to the District Judges the best qualified applicants for appointment to the position of United States Magistrate Judge.
Experience
Representing Amazon.com against a historic FTC lawsuit targeting its Prime membership.
Representing Ruthia He in a first of its kind telehealth prosecution.
Representing TotalEnergies in a lawsuit against a China-based solar module manufacturer involving fraud and breach of contract claims.
Representing a major online retailer in a USDA-OIG food safety investigation.
Representing AbbVie in the multibillion-dollar Allergan textured breast implant litigation.
Representing FAT Brands in parallel criminal and SEC cases involving violations of securities laws.
Representing a publicly traded company in an FTC cybersecurity investigation.
Representing the former CEO of a publicly traded company in parallel DOJ and SEC investigations involving the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force.
Represented Union Pacific in securing a favorable settlement in a wrongful death case that sought $200 million in damages.
Secured a favorable plea agreement, including a sentencing recommendation from the Government of probation, for Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, on federal corruption charges in an alleged bribery scheme involving a public official. (See “Marilyn Flynn, ex-USC dean in corruption case with Ridley-Thomas, sentenced to 3 years probation,” Los Angeles Times).
Represented a video game publisher and its high-level executives in a high-profile billion-dollar FTC investigation in Washington, D.C. and North Carolina.
Successfully resolved a suit brought by Palantir Technologies against a former early investor alleging breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets.
Represented a former banking executive in DFPI and FRB proceedings.
Obtained a favorable settlement, after a week of trial, for Synchrony Financial (formerly GE Capital) in a lawsuit involving breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and alter ego claims.
Represented a high-profile CEO and an award-winning entrepreneur in a federal investigation by the San Diego U.S. Attorney’s Office for alleged violations of the CAN-SPAM Act, resulting in no charges being brought.
Represented Flexi-Van Leasing in a commercial dispute with a terminal operator with intersecting maritime issues.
Secured a criminal declination for a former Chief Scientific Officer from the Department of Justice.
Represented a real estate company in two overlapping matters involving the FTC and a receivership’s demand for return of monetary transfers, resulting in receiver dropping demand.
Advised a major real estate development company on regulatory and criminal issues involving HUD and the City Attorney’s Office.
Represented an international law firm in a legal malpractice claim.
Represented a major laboratory in an HHS-OIG investigation of billing and compensation practices related to the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act, resulting in no claims brought.
Represented a Chinese entrepreneur in a civil dispute against a former business partner in China, obtaining a Hague Convention based default judgment.
Secured a declination from the California Department of Justice for Southern California Edison in connection with the 2018 Woolsey Fire that burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
Secured a favorable pre-trial disposition for Bill McGlashan, founder of TPG Growth LLC and The Rise Fund, in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions case.
Represented Robinhood Markets, Inc. in a commercial lease dispute, securing full return of disputed funds.
Represented the founder and partner of a personal injury law firm in a partnership dispute concerning corporate governance and control.
Represented the CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation in a lawsuit filed by the SEC alleging securities fraud and insider trading, reaching a favorable settlement on the eve of trial.
Represented a medical services company in a criminal investigation, preventing felony charges from being filed against any of the owners or officers of the company.
Represented an auto parts manufacturer in a criminal antitrust investigation.
Secured a probationary sentence after a favorable plea disposition, then subsequent presidential pardon, for a serial entrepreneur in a 56-count wire fraud indictment.
Represented a global law firm against threatened professional liability claims arising out of complex transactional and litigation services.
Conducted a time sensitive internal investigation for a research university on allegations asserted by a purported whistleblower.
Recognitions
- Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
- Future Star, Benchmark Litigation
- Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (California), Chambers
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Top 100 Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Top White Collar Lawyers, Daily Journal
- Best Under 40, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
- 40 & Under Hot List, Benchmark Litigation
- Minority Leaders of Influence: Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Women of Influence: Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Legal Visionaries, Los Angeles Times
- Key Lawyer for Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, Legal 500
- The Best Lawyers in America (2022-2025)
- Leaders of Influence: Litigators & Trial Attorneys, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s, Los Angeles Business Journal
- Southern California Super Lawyers
- Director of National Intelligence, Meritorious Unit Citation
- HIDTA National Award for Outstanding Financial Investigative Effort
- IRS Certificate of Appreciation
- Attorney General’s Award Nominee
Activities
President, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association
Member, Merit Selection Panel for Central District of California
Executive Committee, LACBA Litigation Section
Board Member, Social Justice Legal Foundation