Our attorneys have defended individuals accused of crimes, conducted government and internal investigations, and argued in appellate courts.
Those collective and varied experiences allow us to approach legal problems from unique angles. Whether in a conference room or courtroom, before judge or jury, we are committed to strategically working with our clients to get them the best possible outcome.
White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
We are seasoned trial lawyers who have worked for years as both defense attorneys and prosecutors. We have defended large-scale and complex securities fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, antitrust, export control, political corruption, and RICO cases.
We understand that not all criminal matters start the same way. While some begin with an arrest or formal charges, others start with a subpoena, letter, or even a benign-seeming telephone call before sprawling into full-blown investigations that can overtake organizations and disrupt lives.
Our experience allows us to tailor a defense unique for every client, giving them the savvy guidance they need to navigate the legal system. And if trial is needed, we’re ready. We’ve tried—and prevailed in—high profile cases where the odds seemed insurmountable.
Civil Litigation
Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars and secured important systemic relief on behalf of their clients. Our civil practice reflects the diversity of our experiences stemming from our work in local, state, and federal government, at nonprofit organizations, and at private law firms.
We have succeeded in employment and housing discrimination cases, represented victims of sexual and racial harassment, and vindicated the rights of persons whose constitutional rights have been violated by the government. For example, our lawyers helped secure a $219 million settlement on behalf of pension funds defrauded by the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme; won a $40 million judgment after trial on behalf of a group of more than 50 retirees; and obtained a temporary restraining order against an investment company for harassing and attempting to drive out immigrant low-income tenants.
Internal Investigations
We assist governments needing to evaluate and reform their police departments, and employers needing workplace investigative services. Led by Managing Partner Andrew Lah, who brings years of expertise as a veteran criminal civil rights prosecutor and civilian oversight investigator, we evaluate and review police practices and policies, provide unbiased reports on systemic issues, and evaluate critical incident responses and criminal or internal investigations. We have provided services across the country, from Seattle, Washington, to Albany, New York, to San Jose, California.
We understand these investigations are sensitive, and use our experience conducting complex grand jury investigations, questioning witnesses, and scrutinizing evidence to ensure a comprehensive and thorough evaluation of the facts.
Appeals
Because litigation doesn’t always end in the trial court, we are willing to go “all the way” so our clients receive complete, vertical representation. We can also step in as new appellate counsel. Our trial experience makes us better appellate lawyers, allowing us to scour the record and identify the strongest issues to pursue for our clients. We have briefed and won numerous appeals across the country, and have argued dozens of times before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Some of our victories including reversing a criminal conviction because of prosecutorial misconduct, convincing the Ninth Circuit that the FBI’s use of sophisticated malware violated the Fourth Amendment, and obtaining a published reversal of a computer fraud conviction after jury trial in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.