Jeffrey H Rutherford

Partner, White Collar Defense and Government Investigations

KBK Partner Jeffrey H. Rutherford, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), is recognized as one of the region’s top criminal and civil defense attorneys. He is a Chambers-ranked attorney whose practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, complex civil litigation, and civil and criminal trial work.

Mr. Rutherford has represented individuals and entities in high-profile, high-stakes political corruption/public integrity, criminal antitrust, health care fraud, money laundering (AML)/Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), and civil and criminal False Claims Act (FCA) matters. Many of his clients are law firms and lawyers, who turn to him for representation in sensitive and confidential matters.

Mr. Rutherford also has represented individuals and entities in a wide array of other complex civil and white collar criminal litigation matters, including export control, trade (anti-dumping duty), tax, securities, procurement fraud, entertainment, theft of trade secrets, campaign finance, off-label marketing, cybercrimes, and environmental crimes. In addition, he has tackled matters involving conflicts of interest (Cal. Gov’t Code § 1090), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations and international extradition and Financial Institutions Reform, and Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) proceedings.

Among many notable successes, Mr. Rutherford was the lead trial lawyer in United States ex. rel. Hooper v. Lockheed Martin Corp. The complete defense verdict in that case – against potential damages of $1.2 billion – was recognized by the Daily Journal as one the Top Verdicts of the year. He has been ranked as one of California’s Top White Collar lawyers by Chambers USA and was recognized this year as a Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigator in America. Mr. Rutherford regularly ranks among the region’s top attorneys in white collar defense and government investigations in the prestigious Chambers & Partners attorney rankings.

Clients often praise his trial skills, with one telling Chambers that Mr. Rutherford is “able to distill a complex case and make it understandable for the jury. He communicates effortlessly with jurors and establishes an excellent rapport. He zealously prepares for trials and knows more about the case than anyone in the courtroom.” Another attorney described Mr. Rutherford as an “excellent trial attorney who can try any type of case, no matter how big or small.”

American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), Fellow

Chambers USA, Leading Lawyer in California Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations

Daily Journal, Top Verdicts of 2014

The Best Lawyers in America, White Collar Criminal Defense, 2014—present

Southern California Super Lawyer, 2007–present

Daily Journal, Top 20 Under 40, 2007

Pro Bono Advocacy Award, ACLU Foundation of Southern California, 1999

The President’s Pro Bono Service Award, State Bar of California, 1999

Cutthroat Lawyers Bar Association, President

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

Past President, Federal Bar Association, Los Angeles

Past Member, Board of Directors, American Bar Association (ABA) White Collar Crime Committee, West Coast Regional Subcommittee