The Debevoise White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group has excelled in some of the most high-profile, difficult corporate crises.
Bruce E. Yannett
Lord Goldsmith QC
Mary Jo White
Frequently consulted in some of the most sophisticated and ground-breaking investigations in the market.
—Chambers Global
They have terrific legal skills and talent.
—Chambers USA
An excellent firm. An extremely professional, full-service, one-stop shop for all complex matters.
—Chambers Europe
Very strong judgement, creativity and excellent insight.
—Chambers Asia Pacific
Financial Regulatory Reform - Everything You Need to Know
Debevoise’s White Collar and Regulatory Defense Group excels in high-profile, complex representations for clients facing corporate crises. The group’s depth of experience and global reach means it works strategically and effectively with international clients to anticipate and respond to risks, swiftly identifying the root of any problem.
The team’s experience includes defending against criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions, securities related litigation, conducting internal investigations, negotiating complex global settlements, and facilitating cooperation with government regulators. The team also routinely counsels clients regarding preventive measures, compliance programs and the collateral consequences of criminal proceedings.
Respected by enforcement agencies, the group’s lawyers are renowned for their investigative skill, seasoned judgment and consistently clear and persuasive presentation of the facts. This makes the team a powerful advocate for clients, and leads to considerable success in matters involving investigations by the SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, New York Attorney General, UK Serious Fraud Office, and other authorities around the world.
The Group is made up of highly experienced partners in New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Moscow, Hong Kong, and Washington, D.C. It is one of the few in the market to have exceptional capabilities across geographies. Debevoise is the only firm that Chambers & Partners ranks as “Band 1” for corporate crime and investigations in both the UK and the U.S. The team is made up of highly experienced career defense lawyers, as well as former federal prosecutors and regulators. The Group includes Mary Jo White, immediate past Chair of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Litigation Co-Chair Andrew J. Ceresney, immediate past Director of Enforcement at the SEC; Lord (Peter) Goldsmith QC, PC, former Attorney General of the United Kingdom; John Gleeson, former United States District Judge in the Eastern District of New York and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, including two years as Chief of the Criminal Division; David A. O’Neil, former Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Fraud Section at the Department of Justice; Kara N. Brockmeyer, former Chief of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement; Lisa Zornberg, former Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York; Robert B. Kaplan, former Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement; Julie M. Riewe, former Co-Chief of the Asset Management Unit of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement; Luke Dembosky, former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security at the DOJ’s National Security Division; and a number of former Assistant U.S. Attorneys.
The Group combines this unique understanding of the enforcement landscape with a deep appreciation for client business issues. As leading trial lawyers, but skilled negotiators, a successful outcome for the client is frequently achieved before a trial begins, and government cases are sometimes dropped altogether.
The practice also tailors its solutions, placing an emphasis on flexibility and knowing when to shift gears and adapt to best meet the needs of each unique circumstance. Capabilities are scaled to match the size of any challenge, and adjusted as a case progresses.