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White Collar Defense & Investigations

Clients turn to Arnold & Porter’s White Collar Defense & Investigations group for their most high-stakes, complex, and sensitive matters. A team of former high-level government lawyers and seasoned litigators offers unparalleled insights and extensive experience in conducting measured and efficient investigations, providing guidance through government enforcement actions, mounting strategic defenses, and working with clients to help minimize any reputational harm from a government investigation or enforcement action. From defense and compliance matters involving the False Claims Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, to allegations of fraud or money-laundering, trade sanctions violations, and complex tax matters, to environmental crime and Congressional investigations, the group represents global leaders across a wide range of industries. This seasoned team comprises former Assistant U.S. Attorneys, a former U.S. Attorney, prosecutors and lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the UK Serious Fraud Office, as well as enforcement chiefs and lawyers at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory agencies. Whether a congressional request, or an enforcement matter initiated by the DOJ, the SEC, other enforcement agencies, or state attorneys general, the group’s strength lies in navigating the process with clients at each turn to help ensure the most favorable outcomes possible are obtained.

Experience Highlights

  • Lisa Page, former senior FBI attorney, before the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Reform Committees and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence regarding the FBI's investigations of the Clinton email server and Russian interference in the US election.
  • Ambassador Robin Raphel, a career Foreign Service officer and one of the US government's most senior advisers on Pakistan and South Asian issues, in a classified information inquiry by DOJ and the DC US Attorney's Office. The DOJ closed its espionage investigation and filed no charges.
  • Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in its response to a deadly viral outbreak by conducting an independent investigation of the facility's response; responding to investigations, reviews and enforcement action by multiple law enforcement and regulatory agencies; representing the facility in ongoing litigation with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and coordinating the overall response to the media and the state legislature.
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Novartis Corporation in the successful defense of a qui tam suit brought in the District of Massachusetts by multiple relators alleging off-label and kickback claims in connection with the asthma medication Xolair®. On a motion to dismiss, we obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims. Dismissal with prejudice of all federal claims was affirmed by the First Circuit. Relators then filed suits in Massachusetts and New York under state FCA statutes, and defendants successfully obtained dismissal of those cases.
  • Major ship manufacturer in ongoing high-profile "Operation Car Wash" Petrobras corruption investigation, prosecution and related litigation. Successfully cooperated with the DOJ, leading DOJ to decline enforcement with respect to bulk of the conduct at issue and to enter into favorable settlement involving the remaining conduct. Presently cooperating with the Brazilian prosecutors' investigation team.
  • Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) in qui tam action in which, after dismissal by trial court and reversal by circuit court, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 in favor of contractor that the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act does not suspend statute of limitations for civil fraud actions, including those brought under the False Claims Act. The case was dismissed on remand and dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
  • Dr. Salomon Melgen, a Democratic Party donor, as lead trial counsel in a 10-week federal criminal trial in the District of New Jersey involving charges of bribery and honest services fraud. Co-defendant US Senator Robert Menendez and Dr. Melgen were acquitted by the court pursuant to our R29 motion of all political contribution counts following a mistrial where jurors were hung 10-2 in favor of acquittal. DOJ dismissed all remaining charges with prejudice.
  • Fluor Corporation in persuading DOJ to decline intervention, after an extensive investigation, in a qui tam action brought by multiple relators relating to management of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of materials in a contingency contract performed in Afghanistan.
  • Leading telecommunications company in connection with multiple FCPA investigations and related enforcement actions involving the company's activities in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia, China, Africa, and the Middle East.
  • Sotheby's in a major victory after a three-week jury trial in the Southern District of New York. Defeated all claims that client had colluded with art dealer Yves Bouvier to sell works of art to a Russian oligarch at highly inflated prices. The alleged fraud had been considered one of the largest art frauds in history, valued at up to $1 billion.
Language - English

Focus Areas

Key Contacts

Amy Jeffress
Amy Jeffress
Partner
Washington, D.C.
+1 202.942.5968
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Recognition

  • Chambers Asia
    Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (China) (2019)
  • Chambers Global
    Corporate Crime & Investigations (USA) (2024)
    Corporate Crime & Investigations (Latin America - International Counsel) (2024)
    Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (Multi-Jurisdictional) (2024)
    Investigations & Enforcement (International & Cross-Border) (2024)
  • Chambers USA
    Corporate Crime & Investigations: The Elite (Nationwide) (2023)
    False Claims Act - Band 1 (2023)
    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Washington, D.C.) (2023)
    Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations: The Elite (New York) (2023)
  • Benchmark Litigation
    White-Collar Crime (2024)
  • Chambers UK
    Financial Crime: Corporates – London (2024)
  • Chambers Latin America
    Corporate Crime & Investigations (2023)
  • The Legal 500 US
    Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense — Advice to Corporates (2023)
    Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense — Advice to Individuals (2023)
  • The Legal 500 UK
    Crime, Fraud, & Licensing: Fraud: White Collar Crime (Advice to Individuals) (2024)
    Risk Advisory: Regulatory Investigations & Corporate Crime (Advice to Corporates) (2024)
  • U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers
    “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense: White Collar—National, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York (2024)
    “Best Lawyers” for Bet-the-Company Litigation—Chicago, Colorado, San Francisco (2024)
    “Best Lawyers” for Securities Regulation—Washington, D.C., National (2024)
    “Best Lawyers” for Litigation - Securities—Washington, D.C., National (2024)
  • LMG Life Sciences Guide
    Non-IP Litigation & Enforcement: White-Collar/Government Investigations (2023)
  • The American Lawyer
    Litigation Department of the Year – Honorable Mention (2019)
  • Euromoney
    Guide to the World's Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers: Included as an "Expert in White Collar Crime" (2016)
  • Law360
  • The American Lawyer
    Litigation Department of the Year – Honorable Mention (2019)