Womble Bond Dickinson Names Luke Cass Leader of White Collar Defense and Criminal Investigations Team

WASHINGTON [October 27, 2026] – Womble Bond Dickinson has named Luke Cass leader of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Criminal Investigations Team. The group, which includes former federal prosecutors, U.S. attorneys, and lawyers who have served at senior levels of the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and Congress, defends corporations and individuals in criminal, regulatory, and congressional investigations, as well as related litigation.

Cass, a partner in the firm’s Washington office, represents companies and individuals in high-stakes government enforcement matters and leads complex cross-border investigations. He brings more than a decade of experience as a federal prosecutor, first as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Financial Fraud and Corruption Unit in the District of Puerto Rico and later as a senior trial attorney in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section. He recently served as lead trial counsel in a federal public corruption case in the District of Maryland, securing a complete acquittal on conspiracy and false-statement charges, and is recognized in Chambers USA as a leading white-collar practitioner.

“Companies and individuals facing a government investigation need lawyers who understand how the government approaches investigations, builds cases, and sets its priorities, and who can get in front of a matter before it becomes a crisis,” Cass said. “That is what this team does, and it is why I’m honored to lead it. We have an exceptionally talented group, and I’m focused on continuing to grow the practice, developing our next generation of lawyers, and bringing the full strength of Womble to clients facing their most significant investigations and enforcement challenges.”

“Luke is highly regarded by clients, by his peers, and by his former colleagues at the Department of Justice,” said Doug Tumminello, Business Litigation Practice Group Co-Leader. “He has the experience and judgment to lead this team, and we are confident it will continue to thrive under his leadership."

Cass succeeds Joe Whitley, who led the team since joining Womble in 2021, and will continue his active practice with the firm. Whitley’s career spans four presidential administrations and five U.S. attorneys general. He served as acting associate attorney general, the third-ranking position at the Justice Department; as U.S. attorney for both the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia; and, by appointment of President George W. Bush, as the first general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security. 

“I’m proud of what this team has built since I joined the firm. Clients will see continuity, not change, and Luke is the right person to carry that mission forward,” said Whitley. “Our approach is to understand the government’s case early and defend our clients to the best of our ability. I look forward to continuing my practice here at Womble and working alongside Luke and the rest of the practice team.”

“I’m grateful to Joe for his friendship, his leadership of the team, and everything he has done, and will continue to do, to strengthen our practice,” Cass said. “He represents the very best of our firm, and I’m fortunate to build on the foundation he established while continuing to work alongside him.”