LAWYER PROFILE
David Last

David Last

USA 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Practice Areas

David Last’s practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense and government investigations, including defending companies and individuals in a wide range of high-stakes domestic and international enforcement actions and trials with a particular focus on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters.

Career

Prior to joining Cleary, David served as the Chief of the FCPA Unit at the Department of Justice, where he oversaw all FCPA-related investigations, prosecutions, corporate resolutions, trials, and corporate compliance monitorships in the United States, encompassing every significant industry sector and geographic region. David also played a key role in shaping major corporate criminal enforcement policies, including those on corporate self-disclosure and compliance. Since joining Cleary, David regularly conducts internal investigations and advises clients on a variety of anti-corruption and cross-border issues. David also frequently advises on the development of compliance and integrity programs and counsels clients in advance of strategic transactions. David is also a seasoned trial lawyer, having tried and supervised numerous cases during his 17 years as a federal prosecutor, including more than ten years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., where he investigated and prosecuted a wide variety of white-collar criminal cases, including financial fraud, public corruption, wire fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and Travel Act violations, among other criminal cases.

J.D., Georgetown University Law Center (2000); B.A., Brandeis University (1995).

Professional Memberships

Member of the District of Columbia, Maryland and New Jersey Bars

Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

FCPA - USA - Nationwide

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial
David Last is a Washington, DC based partner at Cleary Gottlieb. As former chief of the FCPA unit, he offers invaluable expertise advising clients on government and internal investigations.

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

Band 6
Band 6

Individual Editorial

David Last regularly advises his clients on internal investigations and state lead investigations. He brings particular expertise on FCPA matters.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • David is a leading expert in FCPA matters. He is a pleasure to work with.

    FCPAChambers Guide to the USA
  • David understands the ins and outs of the FCPA. He has done a great job representing clients.

    FCPAChambers Guide to the USA
  • David provides great insights and can make assessments quickly. He has a lot of integrity and a great reputation with the government.

    FCPAChambers Guide to the USA
  • David provides valuable guidance. He helps to navigate some really thorny issues.

    FCPAChambers Guide to the USA
  • David is known as a FCPA expert.

    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USA
  • David is a former DOJ lawyer and very good at what he does.

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

Ranked Individuals at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (121)

California

California: Northern

California: San Francisco, Silicon Valley & Surrou

District of Columbia

New York

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