The Lindquist & Vennum white-collar and regulatory defense group is a nationally recognized team of experienced trial lawyers who represent both corporations and individuals involved with increasingly complex criminal, regulatory, and civil fraud investigations and lawsuits. Experience allows us to rapidly assist clients throughout the country with matters involving:
- Internal investigations into corporate or individual improprieties
- Surprise visits or subpoenas, summonses, or search warrants from law enforcement or regulatory authorities
- Comprehensive investigative defense strategies
- Plans for complying with intricate regulatory requirements
Our attorneys include a former assistant U.S. attorney for both the District of Minnesota and the Central District of California (Los Angeles); a former deputy federal public defender; a former assistant county attorney; and former deputy attorneys general for Minnesota and Colorado.
With offices located in Minneapolis and Denver, and attorneys licensed to practice in Minnesota, Colorado, and California, as well as numerous federal district courts and circuit courts of appeal, our group is engaged by clients to handle matters related to healthcare, securities, tax, antitrust, real estate, telecommunications, education, agribusiness, imports and exports, and the environment.
Grand jury investigations
The members of our group, who have been involved in hundreds of federal grand jury investigations throughout the country, have extensive experience handling subpoena compliance; preparing and advising witnesses; advising on complex privilege matters; litigating the return of seized property, including electronic evidence necessary to maintain day-to-day business operations; and negotiating pre-indictment resolutions and compromises in clients’ best interests.
Internal investigations
We frequently conduct internal investigations for corporate clients in potential criminal, civil, and regulatory matters or as a result of the close scrutiny now focused on business ethics. These investigations—carried out under the umbrella of the attorney-client privilege by experienced former federal prosecutors or state attorneys general, assisted by retired state and federal lawenforcement personnel, forensic accounting experts, and computer specialists—are designed to assess possible wrongdoing by company employees and, where appropriate, to recommend corrective actions and/or lay the groundwork for the company’s and its officers’ defense. Lindquist & Vennum has conducted numerous internal investigations for small businesses, publicly traded companies, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, our lawyers have taught company executives and general counsel about the intricacies and pitfalls of internal investigations.
Representation and trial of contested matters
The white-collar and regulatory defense group comprises experienced criminal- and civil-trial attorneys who together have conducted more than 100 jury trials and a multitude of contested hearings, arbitrations, and mediations. Our lawyers are capable of supplementing any client’s retained counsel while presenting credentials as trial attorneys dedicated to aggressive, ethical, and efficient representation of clients regionally and nationwide, including in courts of appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Regulatory-defense and civil-fraud matters
Our attorneys also have substantial experience representing clients subject to civil or administrative enforcement proceedings related to alleged misconduct, including proposed suspension and debarment, exclusion from state or federal programs, professional license revocations, and environmental proceedings. These investigations are often conducted in conjunction with criminal investigations. Our practice group maintains and understands the global approach necessary to best ensure that parallel actions are handled comprehensively and efficiently.
Qui tam litigation
Our group also handles qui tam, or whistleblower, lawsuits pursuant to the False Claims Act. The various laws surrounding whistleblowers encourage employees or those with potentially damaging information about a corporation to file lawsuits with potential windfalls of money from the company. Effective compliance programs are often the best protection from such lawsuits. Our attorneys have evaluated, valued, assessed, investigated, and defended against whistleblower complaints, and—assisted as necessary by lawyers from other practice groups—knowledgably pursue clients’ interests.