David I. Sharfstein

A former federal prosecutor with substantial trial and courtroom experience, David develops legal strategies to minimize business and reputational risk for corporate and individual clients, and he defends them in the event they are faced with high-stakes investigations, criminal and regulatory enforcement actions, and parallel civil litigation. According to Chambers, clients call him "exceptionally talented,” “meticulous,” and “creative,” and they report that David understands the “big picture” and offers “excellent client service,” particularly in “complex criminal investigations.”

David has extensive experience in matters implicating a range of complicated laws and regulations and that involve sophisticated financial fraud and corruption schemes, environmental and tax crimes, food recalls, cyber-security matters, and trade and sanctions matters. Across various industry sectors, he guides clients through sensitive criminal and internal investigations spanning five continents. David routinely develops an engagement strategy with federal prosecutors, law enforcement, and regulators, and he has negotiated favorable resolutions for clients on matters involving the FCPA, the FDCA, and the False Claims Act, among others. David regularly advises clients on compliance matters, including proactive guidance or as an advocacy strategy with the government.

Previously, David served with distinction as a prosecutor at the DOJ Criminal Tax Division and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland, where he received the U.S. Attorney's Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud and the Excellence in Prosecution of Organized Crime award. He has tried complex federal cases in the District of Maryland, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Eastern District of Virginia, in addition to dozens of additional contested hearings and appeals in federal court.

David clerked for the Honorable Richard D. Bennett of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.