Described by Chambers as a firm with “powerhouse white collar criminal defense credentials,” we have an extraordinary track record of achieving positive outcomes in either terminating external investigations, conducting internal investigations, or winning at trial.
White Collar Defense
With a reputation for strong results and creative problem solving, our team handles virtually every type of white collar case. Our lawyers bring to each case a tireless work ethic, a strong network, and an emphasis on clear, effective communication with clients and juries to achieve our clients’ goals.
We consistently rank among the country’s top legal practitioners because we bring a unique approach to all our work. Within 30 days of taking a case, we develop a comprehensive strategy to guide our clients through the entire process, then work assiduously to achieve victories before trials even start. This approach secures swift results while protecting each client’s reputation.
We have achieved results in sensitive cases for leading global corporations in a wide range of industries, as well as for business executives and entrepreneurs, educational institutions, medical practices and physicians, lawyers, accountants, professional athletes, and religious leaders. The cases we handle for clients include securities fraud and insider trading; the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; False Claims Act and government contractor litigation; criminal tax, antitrust, and environmental enforcement; Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; health care litigation; and many others.
Investigations
We represent clients facing government investigations, criminal and civil enforcement actions in state and federal courts, and investigations from regulatory agencies nationwide. To achieve the earliest and most complete victory possible, we always seek to understand our client and the unique facts of the case better than the investigators. Through our comprehensive approach, our lawyers have an excellent record of obtaining terminations of investigations before they surface publicly or result in charges. Frequently, we persuade courts to dismiss indicted cases before they reach a jury.
We also have extensive experience conducting internal investigations to help businesses prevent problems before they arise. We formulate corporate compliance programs and devise implementation strategies to ensure our clients successfully navigate a fast-changing regulatory landscape without disruption to their core business.
Experience
Secured a complete victory for Tesla CEO Elon Musk in an extremely high-profile contempt proceeding brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over Musk’s extemporaneous tweets about Tesla.
Representing Bill McGlashan, founder of TPG Growth LLC and The Rise Fund, in “Varsity Blues” college admissions case.
On the eve of trial, and after four years of investigation and litigation, obtained dismissal of all felony federal charges against a subsidiary of Waste Management, America’s largest environmental services provider, and two of its managers.
Achieved a post-indictment dismissal of multiple fraud charges against an heir of former oil magnate H.L. Hunt after an evidentiary hearing on allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, which also led to a contempt citation against the district attorney of Dallas, Texas.
Reversed an initial SEC charging decision and terminated an insider trading and tipping investigation into a Goldman Sachs banker with alleged ties to Galleon Group.
Obtained dismissal of all 306-count criminal indictment against a mortgage company executive that had been heralded by the Nevada attorney general as the first “robosigning” prosecution in the nation.
Obtained declination of federal criminal investigation of Angelo Mozilo, former CEO of Countrywide Financial.
Terminated the FDA criminal investigation of a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturer without payment of fine or civil settlement.
Obtained an acquittal at trial on all charges in a tax evasion prosecution against a motion picture studio executive.
Obtained declinations for a stock option backdating investigations for two former CEOs of separate criminal and SEC.
Secured a declination of a three-year financial structuring and money laundering investigation of an executive at a Fortune 500 resort and casino company.
Obtained the post-indictment dismissal of felony wiretapping charges against a former FBI agent based on a successful challenge to the constitutionality of the state’s wiretapping law.
Won a complete criminal and civil declination and the return of all seized funds for the president and founder of an integrated circuit design company in connection with a lengthy federal contract fraud investigation.
Conducted high-profile investigation of University of California Office of the President related to alleged improper activity in response to a state audit. The result of this work led to corrective actions within the Office of the President.
Successfully defended the County of San Bernardino against claims by the California attorney general regarding “systemic” and “criminal failures” of the county’s Child and Family Services agency in its provision of child welfare services.
Secured declinations for Goldman Sachs trader in investigation conducted jointly by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the SEC, the NY Department of Financial Services (DFS), and the DOJ.
Resolved a tristate attorneys general investigation into alleged false advertising by a Fortune 500 health care company without fines or penalties.
Closed FCPA investigation on behalf of a Fortune 100 company within 60 days without assessment of sanctions or fines.
Terminated criminal and parallel civil investigations targeting the CEO of a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturer for alleged complicity in an off-label promotion scheme and false and misleading public statements and filings regarding the device development.
Representing Brian Kaspar, former Chief Scientific Officer of a subsidiary of Novartis, in connection with an FDA investigation concerning alleged data manipulation for the first approved gene therapy drug.
Representing Southern California Edison in CA AG criminal investigations arising from historic California wildfires.
Served as independent counsel for investigations on behalf of numerous government agencies, including the County of San Bernardino, the City of Santa Monica, and the San Diego Association of Governments.
