Agile, experienced, and aggressive - we have the team you’re looking for when your reputation is on the line.
We defend corporations and individuals at every stage of criminal investigations and trials but understand the importance of stopping prosecutions before they result in charges. From the initial stages of criminal investigations to whistleblower controversies, we work with companies to resolve issues and prevent indictment. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome as quickly as possible.
We do not shy away from defending our clients at trial either. Our clients know that if criminal charges are filed we will aggressively defend their interests. And with decades of experience and thousands of trial hours, our lawyers thrive in the courtroom. We have argued cases in federal and state courts across the country. We are also experienced in handling post-conviction matters in the various federal and state appellate courts. Whether through obtaining a dismissal of the charges or, if that is not possible, by winning acquittal, our focus is earning you the best possible result.
We defend clients facing all manner of white collar criminal charges. From cybercrime and healthcare to government contract and bank fraud, we are an experienced criminal defense team. We bring significant experience in tax and securities fraud and FCPA investigations, as well as all manner of administrative proceedings. We regularly include subject matter experts across the firm in our defense team.
Womble Bond Dickinson defense attorneys help domestic and international clients navigate white collar crime and fraud, drawing from first-hand experience in regulatory, corporate, and congressional investigations. Our distinguished white collar roster includes former federal prosecutors, defenders, and U.S. Attorneys. Lawyers on our team have served at the highest levels of the Department of Justice, SEC's Enforcement Division, the White House, U.S. Congress, and the country's leading United States Attorney's Offices.
The White Collar Defense, Investigations, and Regulatory Enforcement team at Womble Bond Dickinson is committed to defending corporations and individuals facing regulatory inquiries and white collar criminal charges. From the initial stages of a criminal investigation to whistleblower controversies, our veteran defense attorneys can offer solutions for preventing indictment and help you focus on sound compliance strategies.
Joe Whitley leads the White Collar Defense, Investigations, and Regulatory Enforcement team. He is a former Acting Associate Attorney General (the third-ranking position at Main Justice), former U.S. Attorney in the Middle (Macon) and Northern (Atlanta) Districts of Georgia, and the first General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security.
Other team members are also well-known by regulatory agencies, experienced in multiple jurisdictions, and knowledgeable in the areas where companies are the most vulnerable to white collar crime.
Antitrust & competition
Economic sanctions, export control, and trade secrets
Insider trading and market manipulation
Tax fraud
Securities, financial, and accounting fraud: Anti-money laundering, tax offenses, investigations of fraudulent loans including civil and criminal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) investigations
Environmental crimes and investigations, including OSHA investigations
Cybercrime: Privacy and cybersecurity
Government contracts: False Claims Act (FCA) and procurement fraud
Bribery and public corruption: Investigations and defense of public officials, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (FEPA), the U.K. Bribery Act, and the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA)
Election Offenses: Campaign finance investigations, voting fraud, the misuse of federal campaign funds, and fraudulent fundraising schemes, including scam political action committees (PACs)
Corporate compliance work is an essential part of our practice. We help clients develop compliance and training programs and conduct internal investigations into allegations of white collar crimes. We represent clients in Europe, Asia, and the Americas in government investigations of cross-border activity, and our experience ensures compliance with international privacy rules when conducting interviews and gathering data.
Our white collar defense attorneys advise clients at every stage of government investigations, including investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice's Criminal, Antitrust, and Tax Divisions, U.S. Attorney's Offices, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, State Attorneys General, and numerous federal and state departments and agencies. Our team also includes attorneys with crisis management and PR experience who represent clients in congressional investigations and hearings.
Our team will work with you to resolve issues and prevent indictment. If charges are unavoidable, we represent individuals and businesses in every prosecution stage and have a successful track record at trial. After decades of doing this work, we have experience with nearly every kind of client representation: in coordinated defenses of parallel proceedings, such as civil lawsuits by private litigants, administrative proceedings, appearances before pro-specialist tribunals, and post-conviction matters before state and federal appellate courts.
Need legal advice and guidance in white collar defense, investigations and regulatory enforcement?
Our team is able to help provide solutions to you and your organization. Browse through our lawyers and professional staff to find the right attorney near you.
“He (Joe Whitley) is terrific. I think he is great; he adds calm and brings a lot of connections and a very good reputation.”
Chambers USA
“She (Claire Rauscher) is really outstanding. She bridges the gap between giving good, practical advice and managing complex cases. She is one of the finest white collar lawyers.”
Chambers USA
“Luke (Cass) represented the company through a very lengthy investigation involving a technically complex case. His deep understanding of the case specifics and his leadership across a very complicated investigation process led to a favorable outcome for all the parties involved in the matter.”
CEO, U.S. Defense Infrastructure Supplier, Womble Bond Dickinson Client
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