We focus on the defense of white collar criminal and regulatory enforcement investigations and related litigation. We also conduct internal corporate investigations and advise clients on the strategy for either fighting or resolving regulatory inquiries and responding to allegations of misconduct.

We defend clients in a broad range of industries in investigations conducted by the US Department of Justice, the SEC and other federal and state authorities. These investigations have involved, among other things, allegations of violations of the FCPA, accounting fraud, insider trading, stock options backdating and the off-label promotion of pharmaceutical products. We also help design corporate compliance programs, and advise public companies and new issuers on disclosure and related issues and on issues of corporate governance. We frequently advise audit committees and special board committees on sensitive issues including those concerning employee or executive conduct.

Our white collar defense partners all have extensive backgrounds in government. Aaron Marcu was the Associate United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Benito Romano served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Adam Siegel was Chief Appellate Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and Tim Coleman served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and was head of the President’s Corporate Fraud Tax Force at the US Department of Justice. Since leaving government, each has had significant experience as a defense lawyer. Prior to joining Freshfields, Aaron, Benito and Tim headed the white collar defense practices at Covington & Burling, Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Dewey & LeBoeuf, respectively. Adam was also a partner at Covington & Burling and is co-head of Freshfields’ Global Investigations practice.

Please see below for more information regarding the members of our white collar defense practice.

  • Aaron R. Marcu, Partner, New York
  • For nearly 20 years before joining Freshfields, Aaron was a partner in Covington & Burling's New York office, where he headed the firm’s white collar defense group. Before going into private practice, Aaron was the Associate United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. More on Aaron R. Marcu
  • Timothy Coleman, Partner, Washington, DC
  • Prior to joining Freshfields, Tim was co-chair of Dewey & LeBoeuf’s white collar defense practice. Tim previously served for more than eight years with the US Department of Justice, where he headed the President's Corporate Fraud Task Force. More on Timothy Coleman
  • Benito Romano, Partner, New York
  • For nearly 20 years before joining Freshfields, Benito was a partner and the leader of the white collar defense practice group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Before returning to private practice in 1989, Benito served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. More on Benito Romano
  • Adam B. Siegel, Partner, New York
  • Adam is the co-head of Freshfields’ Global Investigations practice and represents clients facing government investigations and related civil litigation. Prior to joining Freshfields, Adam was a partner in Covington & Burling’s New York office. Previously, Adam was an Assistant United States Attorney and the Chief Appellate Attorney for the Southern District of New York. More on Adam B. Siegel

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Awards

Regulatory team of the year - JUVE Awards (2009)

Dispute resolution law firm of the year - JUVE Awards (2008)

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