Relentlessly defending organizations and individuals when livelihood, reputation, and freedom is at stake.

When government investigations or white collar criminal charges arise, it is imperative to engage knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who will present the most effective, insightful, and impactful defense when everything is on the line. Smith Gambrell & Russell’s White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations team has the experience, expertise, and insider knowledge of government processes to defend against allegations of wrongdoing, favorably resolve investigations, and address compliance issues while mitigating legal risk and reputational damage.

SGR’s White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations team is led by three former Assistant U.S. Attorneys.  As former federal prosecutors with significant trial experience, our team brings deep insight into the strengths, weaknesses, and perils of any case. Our lawyers are nationally recognized and have received such accolades as Chambers rankings, Best Lawyers in America, and Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

We represent corporate clients and individuals in all stages of the criminal justice process, often beginning when they receive a subpoena, search warrant, civil investigative demand, or other contact by investigators. Our lawyers take a proactive approach to building a defense from the outset of the case. We counsel clients on grand jury investigations and other pre-indictment matters, including helping them prepare for depositions in civil litigation, administrative and regulatory proceedings, and providing testimony and documents under oath. While we strive to resolve cases quickly and quietly, our team consists of formidable courtroom advocates with a proven track record at trial.

Our strategic approach begins with a comprehensive assessment of the government’s case as we probe the facts of the case for inconsistencies, flaws, and creative opportunities for defense. We often bring in expert resources such as forensic accountants and experienced investigators as we advocate for our clients during the investigation, in the courtroom, and beyond in pursuit of the most beneficial outcome.

Our lawyers regularly conduct in-depth and reliable internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients in response to internal complaints or allegations of wrongdoing, counseling clients on how to best proceed and resolve such issues. We advise clients across different industries and regulatory environments to address the unique challenges of each internal investigation.

We also have a wealth of experience representing both corporate and individual clients who believe they have been harmed due to the white collar criminal activity of employees, associates, directors, and officers. In those cases, we have helped represent our client’s interests by conducting internal investigations and seeking civil and criminal relief.

In today’s intertwined legal environment, parallel proceedings such as civil claims, administrative hearings, disciplinary actions, professional licensing issues, regulatory proceedings, and other related issues often occur in conjunction with white collar investigations. We can successfully navigate these multifaceted and complex matters.

Our White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations team regularly collaborates with colleagues across the firm who have rich expertise in industry-specific matters so we can present the most authoritative defense on cases involving:

• Anti-Corruption and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Antitrust
• Data Privacy & Cybersecurity
• Environmental Violations
• False Claims Act
• Financial Fraud
• Government Contracting
• Government Investigations
• Healthcare Fraud
• Internal Investigations
• Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)
• Regulatory Matters
• Sanctions and Export Violations
• Securities Enforcement
• Tax Fraud

Our team has a deep understanding of the reputational damage, loss of income, harm to business interests, and family repercussions that occur when a corporate client or individual suddenly faces the prospect of a criminal conviction.

Surrounding yourself with a trusted team of persuasive counselors, aggressive litigators, and relentless courtroom advocates is essential for presenting the most effective defense.