LAWYER PROFILE
Julia Gatto

Julia Gatto

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Steptoe LLP

Practice Areas

White-Collar Defense | Independent & Internal Investigations | Crisis Management | Anti-Corruption/FCPA

Career

Julia Gatto, a former federal defender and accomplished trial lawyer, defends individuals and public and private companies in criminal matters and government investigations in federal and state courts and before regulatory agencies. A fierce advocate for her clients with more than two decades of experience on the defense side, Julia has litigated every aspect of the criminal process with advantageous results for her clients, including trial acquittals, pre-trial dismissals, strategic pleas, and favorable sentences.

As an assistant federal defender in the Southern District of New York, Julia defended nearly 1,000 individuals against a wide variety of criminal charges, including securities fraud, healthcare fraud, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and public corruption. She was lead-counsel and on the trial team in some of the Federal Defenders of New York’s most high-profile matters, and she secured complete defense acquittals in half of the cases she tried to verdict.

In addition to her work on criminal representations, regulatory matters, and government investigations, Julia also assists her clients in civil disputes, particularly those headed to trial. She also helps navigate her clients through crisis management and other thorny legal problems.

Professional Memberships

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers

Board Member, Federal Defenders of New York

Board Member, New York Council of Defense Lawyers

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - New York

Band 5
Band 5

Individual Editorial

Julia Gatto is draws on her experience as a former federal defender. She regularly represents individuals and public and private companies in criminal matters and government investigations before regulatory bodies, and is particularly noted for her trial expertise in state and federal courts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Julia is really great on strategy and at assessing what the strength of the case is.

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

Ranked Individuals at Steptoe LLP (94)

California

District of Columbia

Illinois

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