Criminal Investigations and Defense

The Criminal Investigations and Defense practice, part of the Haynes Boone White Collar Crime and Investigations practice is one of the longest-running Band 1 Chambers USA ranked firms in the state of Texas, with an established and successful track record representing Fortune 500 companies, international corporations, and their executives, directors, officers, and employees in complex criminal investigations. Haynes Boone’s team brings both an insider’s and outsider’s perspective on the government. When clients come to Haynes Boone, they can simultaneously draw on the experience of former high-ranking federal prosecutors who have seen criminal investigations and prosecutions from the inside and long-time defense attorneys well-versed at resolving the most sensitive matters in a timely fashion through investigation and skillful negotiation.

Clients and peers have recognized Haynes Boone’s ability to navigate sensitive government investigations and achieve excellent outcomes, often resulting in no charges or enforcement against the client or its officers, directors, executives, and employees. Whether the government calls you a target, a subject, or a witness, Haynes Boone’s team knows how to efficiently and effectively dig into the facts, understand your role in the matter, and properly navigate the government’s investigation. The breadth of Haynes Boone’s deep bench of experienced white-collar attorneys allows them to see the full playing field, as often times a criminal investigation is only one aspect of a government investigation – and positions taken in a criminal investigation have an impact in civil investigations, civil litigation, and other regulatory matters. Haynes Boone’s integrated team of experienced attorneys routinely navigates parallel regulatory and civil enforcement matters and private litigation.

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Representative Matters*

Following significant litigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas, successfully had felony HIPAA charges dismissed with prejudice on behalf of a whistleblower in Houston.
Hired just as FBI agents were entering a Dallas-based hedge fund’s office to execute a search warrant, Haynes Boone’s team of lawyers successfully navigated a complex parallel DOJ/SEC investigation with allegations of improper short selling and insider trading, resulting in a full declination by both DOJ and SEC.
When an anesthesiologist was tainting IV bags at an ambulatory surgery center in Dallas, Texas, Haynes Boone successfully led the facility through the criminal investigation, prosecution, and trial of the anesthesiologist, resulting in his conviction and imposition of a 190-year sentence.
Successfully defended a former executive at a family office in parallel investigations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, resulting in no charges by any law enforcement agency.
On behalf of a healthcare company and its president and chief executive officer, navigated a complex, multi-year investigation by the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General into allegations of fraud relating to insurance products, resulting in no charges.
When a retail transportation company received a Grand Jury Subpoena that covered all aspects of its business, a Haynes Boone team quickly mobilized a response that included negotiating a far smaller scope to the document subpoena, at significant cost savings to the client, and within a few months a full declination from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California.
Negotiated a favorable resolution of criminal charges against a food supplier for violations of the Lacey Act, including a monetary penalty that was significantly below the government’s original demand.
After a lengthy fight and significant litigation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, successfully defended an executive in the automotive industry facing fraud charges and loss calculations well over $30 million, resulting in a sentence far less than what the government initially demanded.
Negotiated a complex resolution of charges in a $50 million bust-out case on behalf of a foreign national, including voluntary extradition from a foreign country and resulting in the shortest sentence of any of the charged defendants.
Ongoing representation of a Fortune 10 company in a food-safety investigation by the Federal Drug Administration Office of Inspector General and United States Department of Justice.
Ongoing defense of a company and its principals in a money laundering investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Department of Justice Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (“MLARs”) relating to the airline industry.
Ongoing defense of a Dallas-based publicly traded company under criminal investigation for accounting and disclosure violations by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Ongoing defense of the Chief Executive Officer of a medical equipment company facing allegations of healthcare fraud.
Ongoing representation of a group purchasing organization regarding a kickback and bribery scheme orchestrated by its former CEO, a third-party broker and multiple suppliers. Following a lengthy investigation, Haynes Boone made a criminal referral to the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of the client.
Successful defense of a bariatric surgeon in multiple investigations and prosecutions by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.