Investigations & White Collar Defense
Our Investigations and White Collar Defense team has considerable experience representing businesses and individuals in government investigations and enforcement actions as well as conducting internal investigations. Clients rely on us to be their trusted partners before or after the government initiates an enforcement action. Our talented team regularly advises and represents clients in healthcare fraud, government contract fraud, tax fraud, violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, false statements, worksite enforcement actions, and government program fraud.
Clients also look to us to conduct internal investigations into complex and sensitive matters. With dozens of internal investigation under their belts, our team is adept at evaluating risk and implementing prevention and compliance measures. Importantly, we are able to draw on the knowledge and abilities of our experienced regulatory and industry professionals to develop comprehensive strategies that address not only the case at hand, but the public, media, and related consequences of enforcement actions.
If the client’s best course of action is to go to trial, then the Jackson Walker team can assemble an accomplished trial team with a long record of outstanding results. The team’s collective experience includes:
- trying well over 150 cases to verdict in federal and state courts
- arguing over 20 cases on appeal in federal appellate courts
Our team has deep experience with federal and state prosecutors’ offices in Texas, DOJ Criminal and Civil Fraud Sections in Washington, DC, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices around the country.
We have handled investigations and litigation initiated by virtually every U.S. enforcement agency, including:
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense (DOD)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
- Department of State
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- Office of Inspector General (OIG)
- Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC)
- Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
- State Attorneys General and District Attorneys around the country
Jackson Walker Guides Client to Favorable Closure of DOJ Antitrust Investigation
Jackson Walker partner Erica Benites Giese secured a complete victory for a technology-sector client that had been under investigation by both the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
Client Results • August 20, 2025
Jackson Walker Secures Dismissal of Oil and Gas Investment Fraud Case
Erica Benites Giese and Michael Murtha defended a high-stakes securities fraud case brought by the Texas State Securities Board. On June 27, 2024, the 199th District Court in Collin County granted Jackson Walker’s motion to dismiss the indictment with prejudice, effectively ending the case in favor of their client.
Client Results • August 1, 2024
Jackson Walker Secures Dismissal of All Securities Fraud Charges Against Mitchell Hennessey
On Wednesday, March 20, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen dismissed all charges against Jackson Walker client Mitchell Hennessey and co-defendants, ruling that the government failed to state an offense in a case alleging securities fraud.
Client Results • March 21, 2024
Legal Team Including Erica Benites Giese Secures Freedom for Afghan Soldier Abdul Wasi Safi
After escaping Afghanistan to evade torture and execution from the Taliban for helping the United States, Afghan soldier Abdul Wasi Safi was arrested in September 2022 at the U.S.-Mexico border while attempting to seek asylum in the United States.
As a result of the outstanding advocacy of Erica Benites Giese and Zachary Fertitta, charges have been dismissed and Wasi was released from custody.
Client Results • January 26, 2023
Joe Magliolo Named “Top Author” for White-Collar Defense in 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that partner Joe Magliolo has been recognized as a “Top Author” for White-Collar Defense in the 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards. These awards honor authors and firms whose content was most widely read by C-suite executives, in-house counsel, media members, and other professionals across the JD Supra platform during 2025.
Attorney News • February 25, 2026
Fifth Circuit Criminal Opinions: Insights and Analyses Part VII
By Joe Magliolo
In this month’s roundup of notable Fifth Circuit Criminal and White Collar-related case updates, the Court issued opinions on a range of issues, including multiple cases on oral pronouncement of special supervised release conditions and Fourth Amendment issues.
Insights • October 10, 2025
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
DOJ Intensifies Enforcement of Immigration Violations: Adds Trade, Tariff, and Customs Fraud to Crosshairs
By Erica Benites Giese
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a sweeping recalibration of its white-collar enforcement priorities that places trade, tariff, and customs fraud—along with corporate violations of federal immigration law—squarely in the agency’s sights.
Insights • September 16, 2025
Joe Magliolo to Moderate Cybersecurity Panel at UT Law’s 2025 Government Enforcement Institute
Jackson Walker Partner Joe Magliolo will serve as moderator of the panel “Cybersecurity and Privacy Law Enforcement” during The University of Texas School of Law’s 11th Annual Government Enforcement Institute (UTGEI).
Speaking Engagements • September 2, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
Fifth Circuit Criminal Opinions: Insights and Analyses Part VI
By Joe Magliolo
In this monthly roundup of notable Fifth Circuit Criminal and White Collar-related case updates, the Court addressed a range of important topics, including the application of Bruen, an extended discussion of Terry stops, the Sentencing Guidelines, and collateral attacks on previous immigration removal orders.
Insights • August 13, 2025
A Look At Key 5th Circ. White Collar Rulings So Far This Year | Law360
In this article published by Law360, Joe Magliolo examines recent Fifth Circuit decisions from the first half of 2025 that shape the landscape of white-collar criminal enforcement, highlighting key developments in False Claims Act litigation, healthcare fraud, SEC enforcement, and criminal procedure.
Insights • July 28, 2025
- Healthcare fraud and anti-kickback claims
- Special inquiries of fraud and misconduct allegations
- Insider trading
- Executive improprieties
- FDA violations
- Whistle-blower allegations under FCA and other bounty programs
- FCPA violations
- RICO violations
- International trade and customs fraud
- Money laundering violations
- Government contracting and procurement fraud
- Public official corruption
- Securities law violations
