Christopher Nasson

Practice Areas

Chris Nasson is a member of the firm’s global management committee and the managing partner of the Boston office. An experienced litigator and former federal prosecutor, Chris's practice focuses on regulatory enforcement, white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and related business and securities litigation.

Chris represents companies and individuals in criminal and civil matters brought by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and other federal, state, and foreign enforcement agencies. An accomplished trial and appellate attorney, Chris has had considerable success dissuading governmental agencies from pursuing any enforcement or criminal action against his clients. He also counsels clients on risk mitigation strategies with respect to anti-corruption, sanctions, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering issues.

Chris is nationally recognized for his work in internal investigations and white collar criminal defense. Chambers USA has hailed the “expertise” he offers “to individual and corporate clients involved in high-stakes criminal investigations and related proceedings,” and noted “Chris's knowledge, guidance, and professionalism have instilled confidence” in his clients when facing their most sensitive matters. According to Chambers, clients describe Chris as “pragmatic and business-oriented” and a “smart, savvy, and strategic thinker” who “is very adept at seeing the big picture in complex cases.” Clients hail Chris as “a tremendous advocate” who has “great credibility” with the government.

Boston Magazine awarded Chris “Top Lawyer: White Collar Defense,” Business Today named Chris one of the “Top 10 White Collar Attorneys in Massachusetts,” The Best Lawyers in America® ranked Chris one of the top white collar lawyers in Massachusetts, The Legal 500 United States honored Chris as a top lawyer for corporate investigations, and Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly recognized Chris as “Lawyer of the Year” for his pro bono work securing the release of Fred Weichel, who was wrongfully imprisoned for more than 36 years for a crime he did not commit. Major news publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Reuters, Bloomberg, and National Law Review have featured his cases, commentary, and scholarship.

Professional Memberships

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Public Policy & Government Relations Leadership Council

American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section - Securities Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, and Corporate Criminal Liability Subcommittees

Boston Bar Association, Criminal Law Section

Boston Bar Foundation, Adams Benefit Pro Bono Steering Committee

University of Virginia School of Law, Public Service Mentor

Eastern District Association

K&L Gates - Boston Inclusion & Diversity Committee, Member

Winchester Girls Youth Basketball, Coach

Publications

“Legal trends health care investors should know: Q&A with K&L Gates partners Christopher Nasson, Wells Beckett and Rebecca Schaefer," Boston Business Journal, 1 October 2024

“The Department of Justice Wants You to Call. And It Wants You to Put Its Number on Speed Dial,” The Journal of Federal Agency Action, September-October 2024

“PE Firms Should Prepare For False Claims Scrutiny,” Law360, 5 August 2024

“4 Questions On Groundbreaking New Foreign Bribery Law,” Law360, 16 January 2024

Co-Author, “Will the New Safe Harbor Policy Create a Safe Haven for Companies Reporting Misconduct Discovered in M&A?,” New York Law Journal, December 2023

“Lenders May Be the Next Government Focus for PPP Fraud,” The Banking Law Journal, June 2023

Education