Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
California
2 years ranked
LAWYER PROFILE
John Littrell
USA 2026
Ranked in 1 practice area
About
Provided by Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP
Practice Areas
John L. Littrell is the managing partner at Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP (BKLW), specializing in white-collar criminal defense, complex civil litigation, internal investigations, and appeals. With over two decades of experience, he has represented clients in high-stakes disputes across various industries, including healthcare, finance, and government contracts. John has achieved significant legal victories, including the reversal of wrongful convictions and favorable outcomes in federal and state courts, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Work Highlights
Specking Engagements
Jury (de)Selection: How to Win Friends and Influence People, March 5, 2025, National Institute on White Collar Crime, Miami
Brady Evidence, March 2, 2023, National Institute on White Collar Crime, Miami
On the Record: Representing a Notorious Client in the Age of Social Media, April 13, 2021, Federal Bar Council American Inn of Court, New York
China, Economic Espionage, and National Security: Government & Defense Perspectives, November 19, 2019, UC Irvine School of Law
Advancing Justice: The Legacy and Jurisprudence of the Honorable A. Wallace Tashima, January 25, 2019, UCLA School of Law
Experience
After law school, John served as a law clerk for the Honorable A. Wallace Tashima in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and as a Deputy Federal Public Defender in the Central District of California, ultimately becoming Chief of the Los Angeles Trial Unit. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School.
John has been actively involved in the legal community, serving as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference from 2017 to 2025 .
Education
UCLA School of Law
Juris Doctor
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bachelors
Awards
Orange County White-Collar Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers in America®
2023
Orange County White-Collar Lawyer of the Year
Best Lawyers in America®
2021
Super Lawyer 2021-2025
Super Lawyers®
2025
Best Lawyer 2019-2025
Best Lawyers in America®
2025
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers
2021
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers Guide to the USA
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - California
Band 4
Individual Editorial
John Littrell is held in particularly high esteem for his advocacy skills, with clients benefiting from his strong courtroom track records. He is particularly well versed in defending individual defendants in a wide array of enforcement proceedings.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
John Littrell is tenacious beyond belief.
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USAHe has good instincts and is super responsive.
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USAJohn is a terrific trial lawyer. He inspires confidence.
Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsChambers Guide to the USA
Ranked Individuals at Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP (3)
California
John Littrell
Head of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
View profile 
Whitney Z. Bernstein
Head of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
View profile 
Thomas H. Bienert, Jr.
Head of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
View profile
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