Department profile
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite

USA Guide 2026 : New York

Share profile

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite - New York

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP lays claim to an accomplished practice that combines extensive experience in white-collar defense and securities disputes with notable commercial litigation capabilities. Highlighted for its impressive global reach, which allows it to regularly act on cross-border investigations involving multiple governmental bodies. Leverages its high-level partner experience at both the DOJ and SEC to offer a wealth of expertise in regulatory proceedings, internal investigations and breach of fiduciary duty claims. Counts a number of leading banks and wider financial institutions among its illustrious client base, alongside roles acting for major corporates and senior officers and directors.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP represented Kraken in connection with a lawsuit filed by the SEC. The SEC asserted that Kraken operated as an unregistered exchange, broker-dealer and clearing agent because it allowed the trading of digital asset securities on its platform.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Cleary has a sophisticated understanding of the commercial realities that clients face.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

  • They are as good as it gets.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

  • They are the best I've seen in terms of navigating dynamics and coming up with creative solutions.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Joon H Kim
    Joon H Kim

    Joon H Kim

    Joon Kim is the former acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and is considered a go-to for corporations facing criminal and regulatory investigations, often with cross-border elements.

    • Joon is a very talented lawyer and is a steady hand in the most difficult situations.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Joon Kim is an outstanding lawyer. He is very skilled and thoughtful.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Lev Dassin
    Lev Dassin

    Lev Dassin

    Lev Dassin brings notable expertise in representing companies and their high-level employees to his handling of a broad range of often multi-jurisdictional matters, including complex investigations and enforcement proceedings.

    • Lev is a savvy and outstanding lawyer.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Lev is a very strong lawyer with excellent judgment.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Victor Hou
    Victor Hou

    Victor Hou

    Victor Hou handles a range of sophisticated white-collar defense mandates, regularly assisting large clients facing DOJ and SEC investigations and allegations of misconduct. He is coleader of the firm's Americas litigation group.

    • Victor is a spectacular lawyer and a remarkable strategist.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Victor is just uniquely talented in his ability to come up with creative solutions and to communicate those effectively.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • He is one of the finest white-collar lawyers that there is.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Jonathan Kolodner
    Jonathan Kolodner

    Jonathan Kolodner

    Jonathan Kolodner has a strong cross-border investigations practice with expertise in areas such as FCPA violations. He frequently represents financial institutions and insurance providers, among others.

    • He is someone of impeccable judgment.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Jonathan is a brilliant lawyer.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Jonathan is incredibly practical and thoughtful.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Lisa Vicens
    Lisa Vicens

    Lisa Vicens

    Lisa Vicens is noted for her expertise in representing public companies and their boards in internal and governmental investigations. She is adept at handling FCPA matters.

    • Lisa has deep knowledge and gets into the details in a way that few people do.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Breon Peace
    Breon Peace

    Breon Peace

    Breon Peace concentrates his practice on sophisticated enforcement matters, white-collar defense and government investigations. He formerly served as US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

    • He is a sterling defense lawyer who really thinks through complex criminal matters.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile
  • Rahul Mukhi
    Rahul Mukhi

    Rahul Mukhi

    Rahul Mukhi advises individuals and corporates in government and internal investigations. He is particularly noted for his expertise in cryptocurrency-related matters, as well as insider trading and FCPA violations, among others.

    • Rahul is a very sophisticated manager and problem-solver.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Rahul is one of the most diligent, detail-oriented lawyers I've known. He is very compassionate for his clients and is hard-working.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA

    • Rahul is client-driven, pragmatic and provides an efficient service.

      Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite respondentUSA
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (7)

New York

  • Profile image of Joon H Kim

    Joon H Kim

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Lev Dassin

    Lev Dassin

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Victor Hou

    Victor Hou

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Jonathan Kolodner

    Jonathan Kolodner

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Lisa Vicens

    Lisa Vicens

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Breon Peace

    Breon Peace

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile
  • Profile image of Rahul Mukhi

    Rahul Mukhi

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations

    View profile

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership