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

Edwin Buffmire

Edwin Buffmire

Partner, Dallas
214.953.5939

Stephen Calhoun

Stephen Calhoun

Partner, San Antonio
210.978.7713

Jennifer Freel

Jennifer Freel

Partner, Austin
512.236.2330

Josué J. Galván

Josué J. Galván

Associate, San Antonio
210.978.7794

Maha Ghyas

Maha Ghyas

Associate, Houston
713.752.4487

Erica Benites Giese

Erica Benites Giese

Partner, San Antonio
210.978.7791

Joe Magliolo

Joe Magliolo

Partner, Dallas
214.953.6007

Michael Murtha

Michael Murtha

Associate, Dallas
214.953.6187

Robert L. Soza, Jr.

Robert L. Soza, Jr.

Partner, San Antonio
210.978.7718

Demi Williams

Demi Williams

Senior Counsel, Dallas
214.953.6121

Austin Yancy

Austin Yancy

Associate, Houston
713.752.4346

Dallas, Texas, Modern skyscrapers

February 20, 2024
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Adds Former Federal Prosecutor In Dallas | Law360 (Subscription Required)

Jackson Walker has bolstered its investigations and white collar team with Joe Magliolo, a new partner in Dallas.

Joe Magliolo

February 19, 2024
Attorney News

Former Cyber and National Security Prosecutor Joe Magliolo Joins Jackson Walker’s Investigations & White Collar Defense Team

Jackson Walker is pleased to welcome Joe Magliolo as a partner in the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice of the Dallas office. Joining the Investigations & White Collar team, Joe brings distinguished experience as a former Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

2024 Top Texas Women Super Lawyers

January 11, 2024
Attorney News

Super Lawyers Names 31 Jackson Walker Attorneys in Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine

Jackson Walker congratulates the 31 attorneys who were included in the Texas Top Women 2024 Magazine published by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers. The annual Texas Top Texas Women edition includes the highest-rated women attorneys across the “Texas Rising Stars” and “Texas Super Lawyers” lists in a given practice area.

Erica Benites Giese

December 20, 2023
Attorney News

Erica Giese Appointed to Hispanic National Bar Association’s Latina Commission

Jackson Walker proudly announces San Antonio partner Erica Benites Giese’s selection to serve on the Latina Commission of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA).

Jennifer Freel, Michael Murtha and Mark Mariani

November 21, 2023
Insights

In Culley, Justices Unlikely to Set New Forfeiture Standards | Law360 (Subscription Required)

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently considering a case that could reshape the practice of civil asset forfeiture – the process that allows the government to seize assets allegedly connected to criminal activity, absent a conviction or even an arrest.

By Jennifer Freel, Michael Murtha, and Mark Mariani

2024 Best Law Firms announcement

November 2, 2023
Spotlight

Jackson Walker Earns 25 National and 134 Metro Rankings in 2024 Edition of “Best Law Firms”

Jackson Walker proudly announces the firm’s inclusion in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers. This year, Jackson Walker observed notable improvements in the national rankings, including the rise of Appellate Practice to Tier 1, Banking and Finance Law and Litigation – Labor and Employment to Tier 2, and the addition of Energy Law and Environmental Law in Tier 3.

United States Supreme Court building with Jackson Walker logo

October 5, 2023
Insights

White Collar Docket Check: US Supreme Court to Decide Key Administrative, Whistleblower, and Due Process Cases This Term

The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term this week and is taking cases government enforcement practitioners will want to follow. Specifically, the Court will address issues concerning: the interplay between SEC administrative proceedings and the right to a jury trial; the amount of authority Congress can permissibly delegate to the SEC; who bears the burden of proof on the issue of retaliatory intent in adverse employment actions concerning whistleblowers; and the scope of due process for post-seizure probable cause hearings.

By Jennifer Freel, Michael Murtha, and Mark Mariani

Jennifer Freel with Jackson Walker logo

October 3, 2023
Insights

5th Circ. Ruling Reminds Attys That CBP Can Search Devices | Law360 (Subscription Required)

In this article contributed to Law360, Jennifer Freel discusses Fourth Amendment protections at international borders and the importance of attorneys understanding that privileged communications are vulnerable when re-entering the country.

Jennifer Freel and Edwin Buffmire Government Enforcement Institute (Sept 2023)

September 19, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Jennifer Freel and Edwin Buffmire to Speak at UT Law CLE’s Government Enforcement Institute

At the 9th Annual Government Enforcement Institute, Jennifer S. Freel and Edwin Buffmire will present on recent enforcement trends by the U.S. Department of Justice and the expansion of criminal antitrust enforcement.

Flags flying at the Texas Capitol

September 19, 2023
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023

Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. 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.

More Investigations & White Collar Defense News

  • 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

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