William 'BJ' Trach

Practice Areas

BJ Trach represents institutional and individual clients in their most complex criminal and civil litigation, including white collar matters, government investigations, and complex commercial litigation.

A nationally renowned defense lawyer and former member of the firm's Executive Committee, Mr. Trach counsels public companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, senior corporate executives, and high-profile individuals in a range of litigation and investigations.

Drawing on his powerful advocacy skills and prior experience as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Trach helps clients navigate all stages of sensitive investigations and enforcement proceedings. His work includes representing companies and individuals in criminal and civil investigations brought by various government entities, such as the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and state attorneys general. His direct and commercial-friendly approach helps clients achieve favorable outcomes in government investigations before trial. If litigation is necessary, Mr. Trach leverages his significant experience trying cases to verdict in the federal and state courts, including the Delaware Chancery Court.

Mr. Trach also handles high-stakes claims brought by shareholders, customers, and competitors, including in connection with securities fraud allegations, shareholder derivatives suits, consumer class actions, and product liability class actions and claims.

Prior to joining Latham, Mr. Trach served as Assistant US Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. During his tenure, he conducted more than a dozen separate investigations, resulting in the indictment of more than 30 defendants on charges including drug-trafficking conspiracy, money laundering, and identity theft. Mr. Trach successfully tried numerous cases, including securing the conviction of a defendant charged with attempting to hire a hit man to murder several witnesses against him in a separate federal fraud case.

After graduating law school, Mr. Trach was a law clerk to Judge Sandra Lynch of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Leadership

Mr. Trach is a former member of Latham’s Executive Committee, the nine-member governing body responsible for overseeing the firm’s strategy. He is also a founder and board member of the New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund, which supports Black and Brown communities in Massachusetts.

Mr. Trach is the former Global Chair of Latham’s Diversity Leadership Committee. He also previously served as a member of the Massachusetts Ethics Commission (to which he was appointed by Governor Patrick), as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the District of Massachusetts, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association.