Investigations, Government Enforcement, and White Collar Protection

Snell & Wilmer’s attorneys regularly conduct internal investigations and represent companies in a wide variety of matters relating to federal and state criminal, civil and regulatory enforcement. We are retained by corporations, boards of directors and audit committees to conduct thorough and independent internal investigations regarding critical, and often highly sensitive, matters. Led by former high-ranking Department of Justice attorneys, our attorneys understand the importance of handling such critical investigations in a timely, intelligent and discrete manner and bring our considerable experience to bear in doing so.

Snell & Wilmer is well-positioned to help clients navigate through the most difficult challenges relating to government enforcement, including:

• Antitrust
• Customs and export controls
• Environmental regulation
• False Claims Act/ qui tam/ whistleblower actions
• Financial institution regulation
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Illegal gifts and bribery
• Government procurement
• Healthcare
• Insurance
• Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act
• Securities regulation
• Federal and state taxation

Our clients include corporations, boards of directors, audit committees, special committees, officers, directors and individuals.

Experienced and Invested: Our Investigations, Government Enforcement and White Collar Protection team regularly works with the SEC, DOJ and other federal and state regulators as well as major auditing firms, forensic accountants and other experts often involved in investigative work. Our team has a long track record of developing strong compliance programs for a broad range of corporations, which bolsters the team’s investigation and post-investigation experience.

Connected and Recognized: Our lawyers leverage the resources of a large firm to address the complex and often time-sensitive issues that arise in matters of this type. Deep and longstanding relationships with prosecutors, judges and other government officials give our attorneys a level of credibility and respect with decision-makers that can make a difference when it matters most. The outstanding reputations that our attorneys enjoy with government decision-makers gives our work product unparalleled credibility when it comes to regulatory and charging decisions.

The anonymity of the entities and individuals involved in sensitive investigations is often essential. Thus, the following representative case descriptions are intentionally vague.

• Conducted internal investigation and defended company in parallel investigations by Inter-American Development Bank and Department of Justice Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit
• Conducted internal investigation and represented public company and senior officers in investigation by SEC for alleged material misstatements to the market
• Conducted internal investigation for Audit Committee of public company regarding investigation into alleged violations of international tax law
• Conducted internal investigation for Audit Committee of public company regarding investigation of alleged conflicts of interest by senior officer
• Conducted internal investigation for public company regarding alleged violations of federal law regarding shipments to South America
• Conducted internal investigation for board of directors regarding alleged errors in financial statements
• Conducted internal investigation for Special Committee of board of directors regarding alleged personal misconduct by senior officer
• Conducted internal investigation for company regarding civil and criminal False Claim Act allegations
• Conducted internal investigation and represented company in matter involving Arizona Department of Education
• Conducted internal investigation for charter school management company regarding misappropriation of public funds allegations
• Conducted internal investigation for charter school management organization regarding fraud allegations
• Conducting internal investigation and defending company in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah regarding criminal worksite enforcement allegations
• Represented outside directors in internal investigation resulting in Chief Executive Officer termination
• Defended company in prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado for unlawful work activity on federal lands
• Defended company in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona and Department of Justice Civil Fraud Section regarding False Claim Act allegations
• Defended company in investigation by Securities and Exchange Commission regarding fraud allegations
• Represented public company in prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York regarding indictment charging individuals with fraud and kickback scheme
• Represented public company in prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida regarding indictment charging individual with obstruction of justice and material support for terrorism
• Represented non-profit organization in prosecution by Department of Justice Fraud Section regarding indictment charging individuals with fraud, money laundering and false statements
• Represented venture capital firm in investigation by Securities and Exchange Commission regarding material misstatement allegations
• Representing company in fraud investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California related to crypto-currency initial coin offering by a client entity
• Representing company in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Florida regarding indictment charging individuals with health care fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering
• Representing company in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Illinois regarding money laundering allegations
• Representing company in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern District of Illinois regarding Lacey Act allegations
• Defended individual in parallel investigations by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Missouri and Securities and Exchange regarding fraud allegations
• Defended individual in prosecution by U.S. Attorney’s Office for District of Arizona regarding mortgage fraud and bank fraud charges
• Defending charter school company board members in audit conducted by Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team
• Defending individual in investigation by Securities and Exchange Commission regarding insider trading allegations
• Represented individual in investigation by Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding unauthorized access of corporate competitor’s digital data
• Representing physician in investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office for Central District of California and Department of Justice Civil Fraud Section regarding False Claim Act and anti-kickback allegations
• Counseled companies in multiple industries regarding best practices for implementing policies to respond to government subpoenas and requests for information