Professional Biography
Image of J. Cabou

Jean-Jacques (J) Cabou Partner

Firmwide Co-Chair, White Collar & Investigations Practice

  • Phoenix

    D +1.602.351.8003

    F +1.602.648.7003

    Phoenix

    2525 E. Camelback Road, Suite 500

    Phoenix, AZ 85016-4227

    +1.602.351.8003

    JCabou@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Litigator J Cabou is the firmwide co-chair of the White Collar & Investigations practice. Known for his creative strategies and winning results, J represents companies, government institutions, and individuals in their most consequential and high-stakes legal matters.

A nationally recognized advocate and counselor, J has extensive experience defending individuals and corporate entities against criminal and other government investigations. He is a noted authority on state and federal forfeiture, seizure, and racketeering laws. J’s practice also includes the defense of matters involving classified information, the state secrets privilege, and national security.

J is also an experienced commercial litigator who continues to represent clients in complex civil litigation matters, especially in highly regulated industries.

J frequently represents clients before appellate courts, including the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, various U.S. courts of appeals, Arizona Court of Appeals, and other state courts of appeals and courts of last resort. As lead counsel, he has won numerous appellate victories, including several recent high-profile matters before the Arizona Supreme Court. J is recognized by clients throughout Arizona as a leading advocate in Arizona constitutional law and, for nearly two decades, has represented clients in some of Arizona’s most important constitutional cases on civil and criminal issues.

J is one of the founders and leaders of Perkins Coie’s nationwide, multidisciplinary Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group. He has been recognized by clients, prosecutors, industry, and media outlets as among the foremost lawyers in the country with experience in digital currency. J defends individuals and businesses in this industry from investigations by federal and state law enforcement agencies. He also advises numerous digital currency clients on compliance and regulatory risk mitigation strategies.

A lifelong competitive athlete himself, J is a member of the firm's Arts, Entertainment & Sports industry group and is among a small group of lawyers nationwide who have advised athletes and team staff in matters involving eligibility for collegiate or Olympic teams. He has also represented athletes in investigations and arbitrations involving the NCAA and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

J served two terms on the board of directors for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has been an adjunct professor at both the University of Chicago Law School and the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, teaching a seminar entitled, “The Law and Policy of Policing.”

J remains a regular lecturer on criminal law issues, especially issues affecting white collar defendants. For more than 10 years, J has been recognized by numerous client and peer review organizations including Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America, which named him the 2022 Arizona White Collar Defense Lawyer of the Year.

Chambers 2023-bl2024 Lawyer of the Year

Ranked by Chambers & Best Lawyers

Named “Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America, 2024
Ranked by Chambers USA 13 Years in a Row

Virtual Currency Report

Focusing on the Law and Regulation of Bitcoin and Other Digital Currencies

Insight on the complex regulatory, enforcement, investment and consumer protection issues arising in the virtual currency ecosystem.

VISIT THE VIRTUAL CURRENCY REPORT

Professional Recognition

  • Named “Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2024
  • Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2011-2023
  • Named a "Southwest Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, 2012-2017; Listed as "Southwest Super Lawyer," 2022-2024
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2011-2024
  • Chicago Police Department Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Safety, 2005-2006

Professional Leadership

  • American Law Institute (ALI), Member, 2016
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2012-2018
  • Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Board of Governors, 2009-2011
  • Arizona State Bar, Criminal Justice Section Executive Council, 2009-2011
  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
  • Governor's Citizen's Traffic Stop Advisory Board

Community Involvement

  • Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
  • Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2007-2011
  • The University of Chicago Law School, Lecturer in Law, 2005-2006

Related Employment

  • Osborn Maledon, P.A., Phoenix, AZ, Partner, 2010-2012; Associate, 2004-2010
  • City of Chicago, IL, Office of the Mayor, Assistant to the Mayor for Public Safety, 2005-2006

Clerkships

  • Hon. Mary Schroeder, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2003 - 2004

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Arizona
  • New York
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Education

  • The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2003
  • University of Virginia, B.A., Government and Foreign Affairs, with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa, 1999

Languages

  • Spanish
  • French