Investigations & White Collar Defense

Our Practice

Perkins Coie represents corporations and individuals in all stages of government investigations and white collar criminal matters. Our attorneys have earned a reputation for effectiveness based on early and thorough investigation of the facts, sophisticated legal strategies and vigorous advocacy. As a result, many of our clients are never charged with crimes, and some of our greatest successes have come in matters that never became public. But when it is necessary to stand and fight, our attorneys have successfully tried cases in federal and state courts throughout the country.

Many of our attorneys have experience as government prosecutors or in similar positions, including former U.S. attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys, district attorneys and other state prosecutors, SEC trial counsel, regulatory enforcement attorneys and counsel to national political campaigns. Our broad experience allows us to represent clients effectively in the many different arenas where modern investigations and white collar matters play out, including the grand jury, federal and state courts, congressional hearings, regulatory enforcement proceedings, and civil fraud cases. We are especially skilled at developing and implementing strategies to resolve complex, multi-front matters. Many of our lawyers also have national security backgrounds and security clearances that allow them to deal with classified information and other sensitive matters.

Our attorneys also regularly represent companies and board committees in internal investigations and compliance matters. Companies conduct internal investigations for many reasons: to respond to whistleblower complaints; to address concerns from government officials or auditors; to detect and deter criminal misconduct; and to support sound decision-making. Whatever the purpose, our clients engage us to conduct reliable internal investigations that comply fully with applicable laws and regulations, as well as to advise them concerning the design and implementation of effective compliance programs.

In addition to representing corporations and employees, we often represent public officials and others in congressional investigations and in criminal investigations involving allegations of public corruption or campaign finance law violations. Perkins Coie is a leading law firm in matters like these, having represented government officials and elected officials, including members of Congress, congressional committees, witnesses in House and Senate hearings and many others in high-profile matters.

Our Experience

Our attorneys have represented organizations and individuals in a variety of areas, including: