Weddle Law PLLC

Weddle Law formulates innovative solutions for clients facing criminal, civil, or regulatory scrutiny. We focus on developing a proactive strategy that leads, not follows, to the optimal resolution. We do this by listening, collaborating, analyzing, and taking nothing for granted. As a result, Justin Weddle is a regular participant in the highest-profile investigations, trials, and appeals, such as:

• LIBOR criminal cases
• Defense of a FIFA corruption case
• Circuit Court cases on SEC disgorgement and ALJ appointment issues
• U.S. investigation and litigation relating to Brazil’s Lava Jato investigation
• The Supreme Court Lucia decision rejecting the SEC’s ALJs as unconstitutional
• Defense of the WeBuildtheWall investigation in the Southern District of New York, Second Circuit, and New York County Supreme Court
• Defense of the KPMG-PCAOB leaks criminal prosecution in the Southern District of New York
• Defense of the Premium Point hedge fund prosecution in the Southern District of New York and Second Circuit
• Defense of a China Initiative prosecution in the Southern District of New York and Second Circuit
• Defense of a OneCoin cryptocurrency prosecution in the Southern District of New York and Second Circuit

Investigations:

Weddle Law is ready to help individuals and businesses navigate the stresses and disruption of a criminal or regulatory investigation. Regardless of how an investigation comes to light—whether from a law enforcement contact or subpoena, a whistle blower complaint, an unexpected bank account closure, or a corporate internal investigation—we work hard to convert a reactive situation into a proactive strategy. Our experience and skill in conducting and defending investigations, as well as in courtroom advocacy, serve as a foundation for developing creative solutions to enforcement problems. We seek out available facts, conduct our own analysis, and develop a strategy calculated to reach the optimal outcome. We have successfully navigated diverse criminal, civil, and regulatory investigations toward closure with no action being taken against our clients.

Trials:

When the best strategy is to fight, we fight. There is no substitute for the proven ability and willingness to go to court and present the evidence. Weddle Law has experience taking the most complex cases to trial-distilling simple, compelling narratives from sophisticated theories and financial transactions. Weddle Law also leverages its extensive appellate experience to ensure that issues are presented and preserved during the trial. Justin has conducted thirteen trials, including the 2022 jury trial in United States v. Liu and the 2019 jury trial in United States v. Middendorf, both in the Southern District of New York.

Appeals:

Weddle Law has extensive appellate experience, and is regularly called upon to participate in some of the highest profile issues affecting the white collar defense bar. Justin Weddle has personally conducted eighteen arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and has helped craft more than one hundred appellate briefs in diverse appellate courts, including the U.S.

Supreme Court, and U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Third, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and D.C. Circuits. Weddle Law's lawyers have been at the forefront of constitutional appellate challenges to the SEC's and OCC's Administrative Tribunals and the SEC's disgorgement practices.

Complex Litigation and Creative Problem Solving:

Weddle Law prides itself on creative solutions to complex problems, whether in a traditional investigations or trial context, or in the context of business divorce, commercial litigation, or nuanced counseling. We have successfully represented a law firm partner, bank executive, tech startups, startup founders, and patent holders in navigating complex and contentious situations.

Justin Weddle is an elite trial lawyer and appellate advocate who helps clients facing scrutiny by law enforcement and regulators, as well as clients seeking a seasoned trial and appellate lawyer to assist in civil disputes.

Justin prosecuted white-collar crime for more than 12 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, building and trying sophisticated and complex fraud cases. He served in the computer, hacking and intellectual property section; the major crimes unit; the complex frauds unit; and the securities and commodities fraud task force. Justin’s government service culminated in his appointment as Deputy Chief Appellate Attorney, supervising briefing and arguments in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for three years. He has personally conducted 18 arguments before the Second Circuit.

From 2008 to 2010, Justin served as the US Department of Justice’s resident legal adviser in Bucharest, Romania, focusing on cross-border law enforcement cooperation and information sharing in South East Europe. He was the lead US representative at multilateral treaty negotiations to create the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center, an international police and customs cooperation centre.

Justin is recognised by Super Lawyers and WWL as a top-rated white-collar crime lawyer. He is admitted to practise in New York, Massachusetts, US District Courts (Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York and District of Massachusetts), US Courts of Appeals (First, Second, Third, Tenth, and District of Columbia Circuits) and the US Supreme Court.