Ariel A. Neuman

Complex Business Litigation; White Collar Criminal Defense; Business & Financial Crimes; Securities Fraud & Insider Trading; Internal Investigations; Intellectual Property; Class Actions

Ariel Neuman is a trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, white collar criminal matters, and sensitive internal investigations. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only fellowship of pre-eminent lawyers in the United States and Canada.

Mr. Neuman has been recognized by the Daily Journal as a “Top 100 Lawyer,” “Top White Collar Lawyer,” and “Leading Commercial Litigator” for multiple years. He is ranked by Chambers USA, which describes him as a “tough and tenacious advocate,” and he was named the 2023 Lawyer of the Year for Criminal Defense: White-Collar by Best Lawyers®.

He represents Fortune 100 companies, multinational corporations, and individuals in high-stakes business disputes, regulatory enforcement actions, mass tort and class action matters, and criminal investigation and prosecution of white collar matters. He also conducts internal investigations involving sensitive allegations for corporate clients and boards.

A former federal prosecutor, Mr. Neuman has led trial teams in federal and state courts and has argued numerous appeals before the Ninth Circuit. He is frequently retained in “bet-the-company” matters across industries including financial services, technology, healthcare, energy, automotive, real estate, and sports and entertainment.

Visiting Faculty, Harvard Law School: Trial Advocacy Workshop

Board Member, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Board of Directors, American Bar Association White Collar Crime Committee, Southern California Regional Subcommittee

Member, American Bar Association: Criminal Justice Section, Section of Litigation

Member, Federal Bar Association: Federal Litigation Section, Criminal Law Section, Health Law Section, Securities Law Section

Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Guest, "Menendez Case Shows Peril of Talks with DOJ," Bloomberg Law Podcast, July 2024

Author, “Menendez Case Shows Possible Peril of Pre-Indictment Meetings”, Bloomberg Law, July 2024

Co-Author, “Bank Secrecy Act exposes failure of Congress in articulating its intent," Daily Journal, October 2022

Co-Author, “Renewed fight against corporate crime,” Daily Journal, November 2021

Contributor, “California: An Introduction to Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations,” Chambers and Partners USA, May 2021

Co-Author, “FCPA Enforcement Continues Apace Under Trump Administration,” Bloomberg Law, December 13, 2019

Representative matters include:

-Defending one of the nation’s largest waste management companies in a mass tort action involving nearly 10,000 plaintiffs.

-Obtained a precedent-setting order compelling arbitration in a putative class action against one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers.

-Lead trial counsel in a multi-firm defense of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer in an enforcement action by California authorities.

-Lead trial counsel in a multi-firm defense of one of the world’s largest energy companies against criminal charges in the Central District of California.

-Defended a Fortune 150 company at trial against criminal charges arising from the largest oil spill in recent California history.

-Led an internal investigation and related civil litigation for the Los Angeles Angels relating to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs.

-Obtained a multi-million dollar jury verdict and an order requiring demolition of an illegal mansion in Bel Air following a six-week trial against celebrity developer Mohamed Hadid.

-Represented members of Congress in connection with grand jury investigations.

-Persuaded the U.S. Department of Justice to abandon an investigation and return millions of dollars seized in cash.

-Represented entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and medical and financial professionals facing federal criminal charges.

Harvard Law School

J.D., magna cum laude

2005

Columbia University

B.A., magna cum laude

2001