Government Investigations & White Collar Defense

Overview

When you receive a CID, subpoena, or other request for information by a prosecutor or agency, you need experienced representation to minimize and potentially stop civil or criminal action that could cripple or destroy your operations.

You need our team—counsel skilled in interacting with law enforcement, regulators, and prosecutors; counsel who can anticipate your next move and develop an effective defense.

Our team includes former prosecutors and criminal defense trial lawyers.

We know how government cases are made and what it takes to get them resolved. We are best positioned to conduct internal investigations; defend you as a target, subject, or witness in an investigation; and handle crisis situations to protect your brand.

In addition, our compliance measures help prevent and detect violations and minimize the risk of government action.

Representative experience 

• Obtained a landmark victory, vindicating Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Gang Chen from all of the DOJ’s claims that he had lied about his ties to China
• Represented a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a novel FDA enforcement matter, and advised the client on navigating complex government, customer, and media concerns. This was a critical, time-sensitive move toward a successful resolution of the matter.
• Secured dismissal of a complaint in a long-running False Claims Act (FCA) case in federal court. The government’s FCA investigation resulted in a declination decision, which was a significant positive result for our client, a product manufacturer. The relator physicians’ remaining claims were narrowly defined to alleged manufacturing defects as to one particular product. Contending that the relators included confidential information that they shared with their expert in filing their second amended complaint, we prevailed on our motion to strike allegations related to the expert from the suit and, consequently, to dismiss the complaint entirely. (Appeal pending.)
• Obtained summary judgment in federal court against the SEC in favor of investment banker accused of violating securities laws. The case was dismissed in its entirety and our client was completely vindicated. At issue was a $75M municipal bond offering to finance a video game company owned by former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
• Represented a large international company in a complex multi-pronged DOJ/SEC investigation. The matter was resolved with no charges or admission of wrongdoing.
• Represented an international public company that was the target of an SEC, COVID-19 fraud investigation. The matter was resolved with no action taken against the company.
• Represented a securities broker who was barred from FINRA. After a successful appeal to the SEC the broker’s bar was rescinded.
• Representing one of the country’s largest cannabis technology companies in a DOJ and SEC joint investigation
• Defending the founder and former CEO of a specialty pharmaceutical company against nearly 250 civil actions in state and federal courts throughout the country
• Representing an international medical device manufacturer in a multi-pronged DOJ/FBI/FDA investigation
• Secured dismissal with prejudice of $3 billion civil RICO lawsuit filed in Boston federal court
• Represented a large hospital in complex civil litigation and a government investigation related to a Hepatitis C outbreak, with a complex privacy law and privilege overlay

Recognition

• Nixon Peabody has been named a Tier 1 National firm for Criminal Defense: White-Collar in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®.
• Band One ranked in Chambers USA for Litigation (White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) in Massachusetts
•  Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2024 editorial for Dispute resolution – Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense