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

Erica Benites Giese

Erica Benites Giese

Partner, San Antonio
210.978.7791

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

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.

Jackson Walker San Antonio

September 18, 2023
Attorney News

‘Scene in S.A.’ Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 “Best S.A. Lawyers” List

Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 practicing attorneys in the San Antonio office who were included in Scene in S.A.’s 2023 “Best S.A. Lawyers” list. In its 19th year, the “Best S.A. Lawyers” list presents attorneys across 80 distinct practice areas who were nominated by fellow licensed, practicing attorneys of Bexar County.

USA flags

August 17, 2023
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

August 14, 2023
Insights

A Deepening Circuit Split: The Fifth Circuit Weighs in on Divide Over Deference Afforded to Sentencing Guidelines

In this article contributed to Law360, Jennifer Freel and Michael Murtha take a deep look into the effect of a recent Fifth Circuit en banc decision, noting that the amount of deference courts give the Guidelines is an issue for criminal practitioners to watch and something likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

July 26, 2023
Insights

Major Case Update: Fifth Circuit Declines to Transform How Courts Apply Sentencing Guidelines

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has issued its much-anticipated en banc decision United States v. Vargas, which tasked the Court with deciding how much deference courts should give commentary to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines following the Supreme Court’s decision in Kisor v. Wilkie. In a fractured decision, the Fifth Circuit held that Kisor does not extend to the Guidelines; rather, Stinson v. United States continues to control without any alteration from Kisor. Thus, the current paradigm remains in the Fifth Circuit absent Supreme Court intervention: the Guidelines commentary is “authoritative unless it violates the Constitution or a federal statute, or is inconsistent with, or a plainly erroneous reading of, that guideline.”

By Jennifer S. Freel & Michael J. Murtha

Jennifer Freel with Jackson Walker logo

June 6, 2023
Speaking Engagements

Jennifer Freel to Join Panel Discussing SEC and DOJ Enforcement Priorities

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, Jennifer Freel will join a panel discussing the current securities enforcement priorities of the SEC and the DOJ. The Hot Topics in SEC and DOJ Enforcement and Litigation Dallas Conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in Dallas.

June 2, 2023
Insights

For False Claims Act Cases, SCOTUS Says Courts Should Look at What Defendants Subjectively Knew at Time of Offense

The U.S. Supreme Court recently announced its ruling in United States Ex Rel Schutte v. SuperValu Inc., a case that will impact how corporations will defend themselves in False Claims Act (“FCA”) litigation. In a win for the government, the Court held that the knowledge element of the FCA concerns what a defendant knew at the time it submitted a claim, not what someone could have objectively known after-the-fact.

2023 Chambers ranked attorneys from Jackson Walker

June 1, 2023
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.

United States Supreme Court building with Jackson Walker logo

May 23, 2023
Insights

US Supreme Court Curtails Government Enforcement Power Under Three Federal Statutes, Reining in the DOJ

The U.S. Supreme Court recently decided three cases against the United States, with the Court rejecting the government’s attempt to prosecute or penalize private citizens under what the Court deemed to be overly expansive interpretations of statutes or regulations. As the Court winds down its current term, we look for the lessons it provided in these three marquee cases.

By Jennifer S. Freel & Michael J. Murtha

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