Phillips Lytle LLP

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White Collar Criminal Defense & Government Investigations

The regulatory enforcement presence of the government at both the federal and state level has never been stronger. Government prosecutors and regulatory agencies scrutinize all types of business conduct in the marketplace. Legislative bodies and regulatory commissions have toughened penalties, while law enforcement employs an increasing array of tools, statutes and ever-stronger regulatory and criminal sanctions.

Phillips Lytle’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Government Investigations attorneys have extensive experience in counseling clients prior to any regulatory or criminal intervention, as well as in negotiating with agencies or prosecutors when the need arises. The team includes seasoned trial counsel who represent clients facing criminal or administrative investigations, regulatory enforcement proceedings and criminal and related civil litigation, all of which often proceed on parallel tracks.

Our experience includes matters involving:
* White collar crime and criminal trials in federal and state courts
* Targets, subjects and witnesses in grand jury investigations
* Criminal anti-trust
* Environmental crimes
* The False Claims Act
* The Trading with the Enemy Act
* Qui tam litigation
* Health care fraud
* Perjury and false statements
* FINRA/securities enforcement
* The Anti-Kickback Law
* Lobbying Act violations
* Federal and state tax offenses, including I.R.S. and New York State Department of Finance investigations
* The theft of intellectual property and trade secrets
* Criminal appeals in federal and state court

CRIMINAL TRIAL DEFENSE

We represent companies and individuals named as targets, subjects or witnesses in federal and state grand jury investigations and prosecutions. Our attorneys work to avoid criminal proceedings and have a wealth of experience working with prosecutors to avoid indictment or, where warranted and consistent with a client’s goals, to arrange a result acceptable to our clients. We work diligently with clients who are experiencing regulatory difficulties to help them come into compliance and avoid criminal proceedings. When criminal proceedings in federal or state court are unavoidable, we defend the case aggressively, move to dismiss where possible and prepare for trial to seek a favorable jury result. Our attorneys have extensive experience with jury trials and pre-trial and dispositive motions and litigation, including motions to dismiss and to suppress.

CORPORATE AND INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS

Our attorneys have experience in conducting internal investigations for our clients. For example, members of the team regularly assist clients in addressing federal contracting concerns and we are routinely involved in extensive document reviews in multijurisdictional proceedings. The team has also dealt with the regulatory fall-out of government investigations with numerous federal agencies. In addition, other practice areas at the firm can assist with regulatory counseling, when necessary.

TAX MATTERS

Due to their complexity, anyone can run afoul of federal and New York State tax laws. Our Tax practitioners are experienced at spotting potential problems and confronting difficulties. We regularly handle administrative, civil and criminal matters involving the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, as well as the I.R.S.

HEALTH CARE FRAUD

Our experience in meeting regulatory demands for health care clients puts us in an excellent position to defend against regulatory and criminal enforcement. Our attorneys have recently defended against indictments involving Medicaid fraud, as well as other related matters.

ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY MATTERS

Phillips Lytle has extensive experience representing clients dealing with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as other local, state and federal agencies. We provide advice and handle parallel investigations, work to resolve matters other than on a criminal basis, and litigate both civil and criminal proceedings in federal and state court.

NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL INVESTIGATIONS AND SUBPOENAS

We regularly handle matters for businesses faced with an investigation or subpoena from the NYS Attorney General. These typically involve New York’s consumer fraud statutes, federal debt collection statutes, and prevailing wage issues, as well as various other New York State statutes and regulations. Depending on the circumstances and our role, our efforts often relate to litigation, negotiations and coordination with media and governmental relations specialists.

THEFT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND BUSINESS LOSS INVESTIGATIONS

We have investigated and litigated against employees, former employees and competitors engaged in alleged criminal activity to the detriment of our business clients. Our efforts often include the proper confidential gathering of evidence prior to the involvement of law enforcement. This allows our clients to evaluate the quality of the evidence, the alleged misconduct and the potential risks and rewards associated with pursuing criminal or civil remedies against a wrongdoer. Our experience allows us to properly preserve evidence consistent with criminal procedural and constitutional protections to avoid the risk of having a harm go unaddressed.

LOBBYING ACT VIOLATIONS

Phillips Lytle has advised clients regarding compliance with the provisions of the New York Lobbying Act, which regulates contacts with state legislators and agencies and other public officials. We are able to represent clients who are subject to investigation and prosecution pursuant to the Lobbying Act by the New York State Commission on Public Integrity.

CRIMINAL APPEALS IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURT

Our attorneys are experienced in the preparation and handling of criminal appeals in both federal and state courts involving all aspects of criminal practice, including pre-trial motions, motions to suppress and Fourth Amendment issues, trial issues and sentencing issues.

Phillips Lytle LLP
3400 HSBC Center
Buffalo NY 14203-2887
Tel: 716 847-8400
Fax: 716 852-6100

New York State Law Firm

Phillips Lytle LLP, full-service New York State law firm. Practice areas include Banking, Business, Environmental, Labor, Personal Injury and Real Estate.