Swanson & McNamara LLP

Swanson & McNamara LLP 

Firm Details 

Senior Partners: Mary McNamara, Ed Swanson

Partners: August Gugelmann, Britt Evangelist

Total number of fee-earners: 6

Location: San Francisco, CA

Firm Overview 

For over 25 years, Swanson & McNamara LLP has been a highly respected trial and appellate law firm specializing in high-stakes criminal litigation, civil and regulatory litigation, and regulatory and internal investigations. The firm has been recognized by Chambers for “the standout trial credentials of its bench and its impressive reputation among local judiciary bodies.” The firm “often defends individuals and corporations in areas including securities fraud, antitrust and False Claims Act [matters]. . . . ” Swanson & McNamara frequently is retained by Fortune 500 companies in sensitive white-collar matters, including investigations and enforcement proceedings. It is a go-to firm in complex civil litigation, from securities class action defense and IP matters to general commercial disputes.

Founder Mary McNamara "is a fantastic advocate, who is incredibly persuasive…. She is one of the best oral advocates I have ever met." Founder Ed Swanson “is a spectacular lawyer who is a great advocate for his clients.… [he] can fight when you need him to fight, and dance when you need him to dance. He has all the moves."

Other notable Swanson & McNamara lawyers are partner August Gugelmann, an outstanding lawyer whose superlative analytical skills and advocacy prowess place him in high demand, and partner Britt Evangelist, a superb advocate whose attention to detail and highly-praised strategic skills make her indispensable in complex matters. The team is rounded out by ranked lawyer Audrey Barron, whose courtroom presence and capabilities are widely lauded by bench and bar, and Carly Bittman, whose ability to grasp complex fact patterns and refined judgment add value to every case she works on.

Together, the Swanson & McNamara team brings unparalleled focus to every representation—from high-profile cases to sensitive and confidential matters—as it works creatively and single-mindedly in the interests of its clients.

Notable matters 

Swanson & McNamara has obtained outstanding results for its clients through persuading prosecutors and regulators to decline enforcement proceedings, resolving challenging litigation at fractions of the exposure, and mitigating reputational harm for businesses and executives. The firm has an active pro bono docket that featured cases overturning a government-obtained civil injunction barring targeted populations from entering sectors ofSan Francisco and obtaining the dismissal of a prosecution in which a woman had been charged with murder in the death of her stillborn baby, a case that prompted international condemnation and led to reform of California law.

·Government investigations and white collar defense 

Representing Apple’s Global Head of Security in a bribery prosecution stemming from a corruption investigation of a Bay Area California Sheriff; representation of key player in federal political corruption investigation; probationary sentence for individual in federal felony Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prosecution where alleged damages exceeded $1 million; declination of prosecution of executive in criminal antitrust investigation; dismissal of all charges in obstruction of justice indictment against a criminal defense attorney; representing the innovator of the Dream House Raffle in California in a California Attorney General investigation culminating in a negotiated civil resolution; declination of SEC action against CEO of clean energy company in insider trading investigation; declination of regulatory action against banking industry executives; declination of prosecution of executive in alternative energy industry in investigation by the Southern District of New York and the Northern District of California; non-prosecution agreement and favorable FDIC resolution for bank executive in failed bank scandal; representation of high-level executive in AG telehealth investigation.

·Complex civil litigation 

Representation of Alphabet Inc. and its seniormost executives as lead trial counsel in In re Alphabet, Inc., Securities Litigation, pending in the Northern District of California; representing the former CFO of Wells Fargo Bank in securities and derivative lawsuits across the country; representation of board members of e-commerce company in federal securities fraud matter; seven figure jury verdict in favor of law firm in fee dispute, successfully defended through multiple rounds of appeals.

·Internal investigations  

Investigation into allegations of officer misconduct in local police force; investigation into allegations of racism in (separate) local police force; investigation of misappropriation allegations against engineering start-up executive; representation of chairman of board of state regulatory body in investigation of alleged ethics breaches; investigation into allegations of retaliatory discipline against inmates in state prison.

·Court-appointed neutral  

Appointment as Court Expert in class action over treatment of inmates with disabilities within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, including innovating and implementing sweeping reforms in investigation and discipline of staff misconduct against inmates; appointment as special master in civil and criminal matters in the Northern District of California.

Practice Areas 

·Government investigations and white-collar defense 

·Complex civil litigation 

·General criminal defense and post-conviction litigation  

·Internal investigations  

·Court-appointed neutral 

Office 

300 Montgomery Street, Suite 1100 

San Francisco, CA 94104 

Telephone: (415) 477-3800 

Facsimile: (415) 477-9010 

[email protected]