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

Covington & Burling LLP is a stalwart Washington practice, adept at handling large-scale investigations and international disputes for a roster of significant corporate and financial clients. The team is lauded for its market-leading healthcare practice, with additional strength in matters pertaining to SEC enforcement and anticorruption. The practice also houses considerable experience conducting FCPA investigations on a global scale. The group claims an impressive roster of practitioners offering extensive experience in government, as well as top trial skills, handling work across a variety of sectors, including sport, pharmaceuticals and technology.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP's formidable litigation practice has considerable experience in matters that involve the DOJ, SEC and federal regulatory agencies, including complex investigations and appellate work. It fields an enviable bench of talented lawyers who are adept across a range of sectors, including environmental, telecommunications and securities disputes. Recent mandates demonstrate the firm's expertise in multijurisdictional investigations involving alleged violations of the FCPA and other anticorruption laws.

Williams & Connolly is a top-flight DC firm and litigation powerhouse, with a legacy of excellence in contentious civil and criminal matters. The deep and dynamic bench of talented litigators is consistently involved in the most sensitive white-collar cases along with major commercial disputes and securities litigation. The practice offers top-drawer advice and masterful trial expertise to an enviable list of clients that includes a whole host of high-profile individuals as well as multinational companies, global financial institutions and media organizations. The team houses recognized strength in litigating complex cross-border disputes.

WilmerHale delivers exceptional representation to clients under investigation by government and agency regulators, with commensurate strength in civil and commercial matters. Its outstanding team has a number of practitioners with significant governmental experience. The practice advises clients from a broad array of industries on anticorruption measures including the FCPA, along with securities law and FCA violations. It also advises leading names in the banking, aviation, telecom and defense sectors, among others.

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP an outstanding litigation boutique, demonstrating excellence in both individual and company representations. With an extensive criminal defense practice, the firm boasts expertise that spans the full range of white-collar prosecutions and investigations. It is notably proficient at tackling highly sensitive cases that concern institutional corruption, bribery and fraud in both domestic and international contexts. Its deep bench of experienced trial lawyers also handle a range of civil and commercial disputes to great effect. It is also skilled at representing clients in Congressional investigations and securities class actions.

Arnold & Porter's versatile litigation practice is heavily involved in both trials and investigations in the areas of healthcare fraud, criminal antitrust and government contracts, with additional substantive expertise on the civil side. The team has considerable expertise in securities matters, experienced in representing clients before US regulatory authorities including the DOJ and SEC and foreign government bodies such as the UK Serious Fraud Office. Its broad client base includes pharmaceutical, industrial and financial services companies, along with individual executives, public officials and healthcare professionals.

Latham & Watkins LLP has a stellar reputation in the areas of white-collar defense and complex commercial litigation. The practice possesses highly credible strength in FCPA matters, as well as securities fraud, antitrust and FCA violations. It has an impressive team that features a number of prominent practitioners with considerable government experience and regulatory expertise. The group frequently represents clients across a diverse range of sectors, including highly regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare and energy. It also offers substantial expertise in matters with cross-border elements, with support from the firm's international offices.

Miller & Chevalier is widely regarded as a go-to firm for all aspects of FCPA compliance and government enforcement. It possesses further expertise in investigations concerning criminal tax and antitrust, alongside a broad range of other white-collar matters, such as money laundering, bribery and public corruption. The practice is also noted for its significant bench of sanctions and OFAC experts. The team consists of a specialist group of attorneys with a wealth of trial expertise and a strong reputation for complex cross-border work. They expertly represent high-profile individual clients as well as multinational corporations from a variety of sectors, including energy, technology and pharmaceuticals.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is highlighted for its deep bench of white-collar practitioners who are experts in handling white-collar criminal investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act investigations, trials and appeals, and compliance issues. The group frequently represent clients in the energy and life science sectors and is adept at representing company executives, directors and employees along with other leading professionals in sensitive, high-stakes cases.

Paul Hastings LLP is an experienced and growing white-collar team, noted for its capabilities in FCPA, sanctions, antitrust and trading investigations. The practice consists of experts tackling all manner of fraud allegations relating to financial matters, including securities, accounting and tax. It regularly represents national and global financial institutions along with individual executives, traders and officers facing significant criminal allegations. The attorneys frequently act for clients facing allegations of corruption in highly regulated industries, including major petrochemical, technology and pharmaceutical companies.

Quinn Emanuel boasts an excellent reputation in the DC market for high-stakes, big-ticket white-collar defense matters. The firm is noted for the strength and success of its trial practice, with a number of highly effective litigators among its ranks. It also demonstrates increasing prowess at managing major international anticorruption investigations. The attorneys advise an enviable client list including major domestic and foreign corporations, financial institutions and high-profile individuals. The practice offers significant experience in cross-border matters, particularly in relation to Latin America and Asia.

Sidley Austin LLP has a reputable practice with ample litigation capabilities across the gamut of white-collar criminal defense and agency enforcement matters. The practice offers diverse regulatory expertise across a range of sectors such as healthcare, environmental and antitrust law. The team is regularly involved in international investigations concerning the FCPA and other anticorruption matters. An impressive client list includes financial institutions and leading global corporations, along with their senior management and executives.

Steptoe & Johnson LLP has a formidable white-collar criminal defense practice with a reputation for cutting-edge trial counsel. The practice is highly adept at representing individual clients in high-profile cases concerning allegations of financial crime and public corruption. It is also well equipped to advise during investigations by the SEC and DOJ, with particular strength in FCPA matters. The group is able to draw on the firm's additional capabilities in securities enforcement and regulation, advising clients across a broad array of sectors, including companies and executives in the pharmaceutical, technology and automotive industries.

Akin offers an established white-collar litigation practice with considerable experience trying cases at both state and federal level. Its attorneys regularly defend individuals facing serious criminal charges, particularly in relation to government contracts fraud, money laundering and bribery. The practice also acts for corporations across a wide range of industries, including financial services, technology and pharmaceuticals. It enjoys a robust investigations practice that encompasses cross-border and international matters concerning the FCPA, along with other anticorruption laws.

Crowell & Moring LLP possesses a well-regarded litigation group that frequently represents large corporations and individuals in criminal investigations and trials. The practice is known for its experience in complex multijurisdictional cases, with particular expertise in antitrust and fraud matters. Its practitioners handle a broad range of investigations relating to alleged violations of the FCA, FCPA and securities laws, aided by its robust understanding of government regulatory agencies. It is particularly active on matters concerning government contracting, financial services and technology-related disputes.

Hogan Lovells has a prominent white-collar litigation practice with particular strength in handling large DOJ and SEC investigations. The practice is known for its extensive expertise in cases of healthcare fraud and also has valuable experience in litigation concerning cybersecurity and data breaches. Its lawyers are regularly chosen by multinational companies for representation during complex, cross-border anticorruption investigations and enforcement proceedings. They are able to draw upon the firm's broad global footprint to provide a seamless service to clients faced with scrutiny from regulatory agencies and prosecutors in jurisdictions around the world.

Jones Day's accomplished criminal and commercial litigation practice has a broad array of resources at its disposal, including impressive appellate capabilities. The practice displays notable strength in white-collar matters, with the ability to oversee major cross-border investigations concerning the FCPA, public corruption and fraud, among other areas. It also has significant expertise in disputes arising out of commercial agreements, including antitrust and breach of contract claims.

Kirkland & Ellis' well-regarded litigation practice boasts national and global reach. The group acts for large multinational corporations in white-collar litigation and complex enforcement proceedings. The team represents clients from a broad range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, financial services and technology. It is known for the strength of its trial practice as well as its ability to handle investigations brought by the SEC, the DOJ and Congressional committees. It also regularly appears before arbitration panels and appellate courts.

Schertler Onorato is a renowned Washington DC litigation boutique focused on providing top-level representation to clients in white-collar criminal defense cases, as well as during internal and government investigations. The firm consist of a respected group that includes a number of former federal prosecutors and is highly thought of for its trial capabilities. It offers effective guidance for its clients in a range of areas, including anticorruption, international trade, government contracts and antitrust.

Skadden is best known for its representation of financial institutions and large publicly traded companies in internal and government investigations, and related civil enforcement matters. The talented team is regularly involved in trial and investigative proceedings regarding procurement fraud, FCA violations, bribery and economic sanctions. Its significant global footprint lends itself to experienced handling of multijurisdictional cases within the USA, as well as those concerning international law. The practice also regularly defends clients in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, including major pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. It is also able to offer particular expertise in FCPA violations and anticorruption matters.

Vinson & Elkins LLP has an increasingly prominent white-collar practice with noted experience handling corporate investigations, including those relating to allegations of FCPA violations and fraud. The practice also acts for clients in Congressional investigations and matters concerning the False Claims Act. It is routinely called upon by a range of clients, including high-profile individuals and large multinational corporations from a broad array of sectors.

Baker Botts' robust white-collar team offers broad expertise in criminal investigations and enforcement actions. The practice is well versed in handling sensitive, cross-jurisdictional matters for a wide range of clients, with particular experience representing companies in the oil and gas, manufacturing and energy sectors. The team is also adept at representing individuals in investigations by various government agencies. It enjoys strong credentials for its work in securities, healthcare and antitrust matters with a highly experienced team that includes a number of former federal prosecutors and senior government officials.

Cozen O'Connor has an established white-collar defense practice with notable expertise guiding companies and individuals through high-stakes criminal proceedings. The practice boasts accomplished criminal trial attorneys in its ranks, alongside a number of experienced investigations lawyers. The team is also able to draw upon a significant government relations practice to advise clients facing Congressional investigations.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP has a growing white-collar practice with an enviable client list comprising global financial institutions, large corporations and their executives. The group frequently handles investigations by a range of governmental agencies, as well as matters relating to corruption, FCPA and antitrust. The practice is also noted for its capabilities handling highly sensitive cases involving sanctions violations. Its impressive team is bolstered by a number of former federal prosecutors and government officials who offer further expertise conducting sensitive internal investigations.

King & Spalding LLP is well known for its rigorous representation of corporate entities, with particular expertise in the life sciences, banking and energy sectors. The practice is regularly involved in both internal and government investigations that concern FCPA and securities law violations, along with other allegations of corruption and fraud. It has considerable strength in handling multijurisdictional investigations, with experience defending clients before both domestic and foreign enforcement authorities. It is also notable for its experience in representing audit committees.

Morrison Foester is a recognized and well-regarded government investigations team, noted for its bench of FCPA experts and experience handling complex international cases. With a deep bench of former prosecutors, the practice also has notable expertise leading investigations into securities, antitrust and economic sanctions violations.

Ropes & Gray LLP offer a respected team with an impressive reputation for its representation of corporate clients in a wide range of white-collar criminal matters. The practice wins particular plaudits for its expertise in FCPA cases while being noted for its strength in the life sciences sector and its handling of complex issues related to Latin America.

Wiley is an impressive DC firm with experience acting for both corporations and individuals involved in DOJ and SEC investigations and enforcement proceedings. The practice offers significant expertise in criminal matters involving government contracts and healthcare fraud, while demonstrating further capabilities in FCPA and securities fraud matters. The team is renowned for its experience and skillful handling of high-profile, politically charged cases.

Allen & Overy's burgeoning group has an impressive reputation among clients in the financial services sectors, including multinational banks, fintech companies and cryptocurrency trading platforms. The group handles a wide range of white-collar criminal defense mandates, including investigations into fraud, money laundering and regulatory breaches. The practice is noted for its skilled handling of major FCPA investigations, leveraging its famed global platform to assist with cross-border mandates.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP offers a strong group of defense and internal investigations practitioners. The practice is well placed to represent individual clients as well as companies across a number of sectors in criminal trials. They possess additional expertise advising on FCPA matters.

Freshfields has an impressive track record of working with global corporate entities and notable clients in the automotive and energy sectors, as well as financial services. The group is also experienced representing individual executives and business figures in both civil litigation and high-stakes criminal trials.

Greenberg Traurig possesses a highly respected team with a growing bench of white-collar criminal defense and investigations lawyers. It boasts noteworthy expertise acting for high-profile individuals in DOJ investigations as well as representing companies in contentious mandates.

Kaiser PLLC is a well-regarded DC boutique specializing in high-stakes criminal defense and government investigations. The firm has considerable experience handling sensitive matters, including high-profile political scandals, as well as local and international corruption cases.

Levy Firestone Muse represented Fusion GPS and its principals, including former Wall Street Journalinvestigative journalists Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, in Congressional, grand jury, FEC, and inspector general investigations into the Russian government’s interference in the 2016 US presidential election and Fusion GPS’s commissioning of the Steele Dossier.

Mayer Brown's established group features significant prosecutorial and in-house experience. It has notable expertise handling anticorruption and FCPA enforcement probes, as well as investigations into fraud, money laundering and sanctions violations.

O'Melveny & Myers are a respected international firm with an increasing profile for complex white-collar defense work. Its client base includes corporations and senior executives, with a particular focus on healthcare and life sciences. The practice is able to offer expertise in DOJ and SEC investigations relating to alleged FCPA violations, FCA matters and anti-money laundering. It is able to draw upon expertise in a number of global offices to advise clients involved in cross-border proceedings.

Paul, Weiss boasts a notable team with significant experience representing clients in high-stakes investigations brought by various governmental bodies. The practice is adept at handling matters relating to FCPA violations, allegations of fraud and money laundering, as well as advising on sanctions. It also offers extensive expertise acting for clients in complex litigation, including appearing before the Supreme Court.

Schulte Roth has a distinguished regulatory practice that is experienced in representing clients facing allegations of money laundering, public corruption and wire fraud, among other white-collar crimes. The group is noted for its defense of individual clients including senior executives, officers and employees, in addition to representing several leading corporations and financial institutions. It is also known for its expert handling of government investigations as well as being able to draw on the firm's wider capabilities in regulatory and enforcement matters.