LAWYER PROFILE
Barbara Van Gelder

Barbara Van Gelder

USA 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Cozen O'Connor

USA

Practice Areas

White Collar Defense and Investigations.

Career

Barbara (Biz) regularly represents clients in congressional and criminal fraud investigations, as well as qui tam, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act, civil RICO, and employment litigation cases. Biz has had more than 100 jury trials and has counseled clients on the pros and cons of government plea arrangements, Deferred Prosecution Agreements, Non-Prosecution Agreements, and voluntary disclosures.

As Deputy Chief of the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Biz was tasked with the formation of the Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program. During her tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Biz was a member of the Department of Justices ACE Working Group and the Attorney General’s Healthcare Taskforce. Biz is in a small pool of FCA defense attorneys who have both jury trial and appellate experience in qui tam matters. Main Justice honored Biz with its Distinguished Service Award in the Zealous Advocates category in the first annual Main Justice Best FCPA Lawyers Client Service Awards. Biz has taught evidence and trial practice as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

Professional Memberships

American Bar Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

National Association of Former Assistant U.S. Attorneys

Women's White Collar Defense Association

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - District of Columbia

Senior Statesperson
Senior Statespeople

Individual Editorial
Barbara Van Gelder is counsel at Cozen O'Connor. She is a seasoned white-collar litigator who is frequently called upon to represent corporate and individual clients in high-profile investigations. She offers particular expertise in relation to alleged violations of the FCA and FCPA.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Barbara is a fixture in the DC white collar bar; she is energetic and experienced.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Cozen O'Connor (114)

California

Colorado

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

What success is built on

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

Explore thought leadership