White Collar Defense & Investigations

JMBM's White Collar Defense & Investigations Group is keenly focused on our clients’ business objectives and is committed to minimizing the disruption, anxiety, and public scrutiny that can arise from criminal and civil investigations and litigation. The White Collar Defense & Investigations Group is a leader in the representation of companies, boards of directors, management, and individuals throughout California in connection with a broad range of government investigations, enforcement actions, remediation and compliance, administrative proceedings, internal investigations and white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Our white collar attorneys have been recognized by the Best Lawyers in America guide (white collar criminal defense) and the Los Angeles Business Journal (top litigators & trial lawyers).

• Accounting fraud
• Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act/UK Bribery Act
• Antitrust and price fixing violations
• Bribery and official corruption allegations
• Cyber and e-commerce crimes
• Consumer crimes
• Criminal trademark and copyright infringement
• Economic espionage (trade secret misappropriation, employee theft, and unfair competition)
• Environmental violations and regulatory compliance
• Federal and state False Claims Acts
• Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA)
• Qui tam complaints
• Financial institution fraud
• California's Transparency In Supply Chains Act
• Forfeiture (civil and criminal)
• Government procurement fraud
• Health care fraud and abuse
• Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law
• Campaign finance offenses
• Insurance fraud
• Mail and wire fraud
• RICO
• Securities fraud, stock market manipulation, and insider trading
• Tax offenses

Our attorneys have significant experience in representing clients in matters relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and related laws such as the UK Bribery Act. Because these matters generally involve multiple international locations and regulators, we have developed strong working relationships with local counsel around the world who provide the local knowledge and relationships necessary for effective representation. 

The White Collar Defense & Investigations Group provides a wide variety of services, including:

• All aspects of pre-indictment representation, including grand jury investigations
• Corporate internal investigations
• Compliance reviews (including policies/procedures and training)
• Media crisis management
• Representation in federal and state criminal and civil trials
• Regulatory and administrative defense
• Parallel proceedings
• Criminal appeals
• Monitorships/receiverships

We are experienced in representing our clients in Grand Jury, SEC, FINRA, NYSE, NFA, CFTC, AAA, JAMS, ADR Services, Special Master, MTA, Special Committee, and state and federal judicial proceedings and trials.

Companies face increased scrutiny by federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as private lawsuits alleging corporate misconduct. Companies also sometimes become aware on their own of potential internal misconduct within their organizations. The White Collar Defense & Investigations Group provides expert guidance on conducting privileged corporate internal investigations in both reactive scenarios where companies are under government investigation or are being sued, and proactive scenarios where companies learn of possible internal misconduct and need to investigate to determine potential next steps to protect their interests. The Group understands the sensitive nature of these situations and works with clients to navigate complex issues.

When issues of employee fraud, corruption, or corporate wrong-doing arise, our lawyers represent corporations, boards of directors, and executives in implementing internal investigations, and representing them in related government investigations, enforcement actions, or administrative proceedings. On behalf of our clients we have handled internal investigations regarding numerous issues, including potentially improper referrals, billing practices, alleged regulatory concerns, investigations and complaints by the U.S. government, investigations regarding Stark and anti-kickback violations, and cases brought against entities by the U.S. Department of Justice, and state and local prosecutors.

JMBM's White Collar Defense & Investigations Group has significant experience representing clients in investigations and litigation involving the federal False Claims Act (FCA) and the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA). The Group is skilled in defending individuals and companies facing government scrutiny at both the federal and state levels. 

The Group has handled a broad range of FCA matters including false certifications (express or implied), Medicare or Medicaid overcharging, overbilling, mischarging, providing defective or nonconforming products, misrepresenting qualifications, false statements that are material to payment of false claims, conflicts of interest, and whistleblower claims. The Group also provides advice on how to develop compliance strategies in order to avoid or mitigate issues relating to the FCA. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses received a significant amount of financial assistance from the federal government, through stimulus plans such as the Paycheck Protection Program. Aggressive enforcement and investigation of suspected fraud by companies benefiting from stimulus funds is expected to continue. Through their experience with civil fraud investigations, JMBM's attorneys are well-positioned to help clients minimize risk through compliance, as well as handling investigations, settlements and litigation. 

JMBM understands the importance of successfully resolving cases in a way that achieves our clients' goals, and works with them to develop effective approaches to obtain the best possible result.