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Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

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United States • Dispute resolution

3

Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Praised for its ‘deep expertise, strategic clarity, and a genuinely client‑centric approach', Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has extensive expertise in matters relating to investigations and regulatory enforcement, representing clients across industries such as financial services, mining, tech, healthcare, and consumer products, in criminal and civil proceedings. The team excels in both internal and government investigations, and is knowledgeable in matters relating to whistleblower claims, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, workplace misconduct, accounting matters, cybersecurity governance, and ransomware attacks. Key lawyers include Jennifer Leete in Washington DC, who represents companies, financial institutions, auditors, boards of directors, and executives in both government-facing and internal investigations, as well as other regulatory matters. Former practice head John Buretta departed the team in January 2026. Benjamin Gruenstein left the firm in February 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Evan Norris and his team are distinguished by their blend of deep expertise, strategic clarity, and a genuinely client‑centric approach. They don’t just solve problems—they help clients understand the broader commercial and reputational context, which sets them apart in a crowded field.'

  • ‘Evan Norris consistently brings depth, clarity, and a partnership‑driven mindset to every matter he engages with. His ability to combine strong domain knowledge with thoughtful, measured communication creates an environment where colleagues and stakeholders feel informed, supported, and confident throughout complex or sensitive processes.'

  • ‘Their service remains far superior to all other firms we have encountered. They have always been incredibly knowledgeable on each of the substantive aspects of law involved in the relevant matter. Cravath consistently offers swift, precise advice that is always very practical and, most importantly, tailored to our company’s very specific needs.' 

Key clients

  • Silvergate Bank and Silvergate Capital Corporation
  • British American Tobacco (“BAT”)
  • AerCap Holdings N.V.
  • Goldman Sachs & Co.
  • Ormat Technologies Inc.
  • Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.
  • Eros Media World PLC
  • Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
  • Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
  • Heritage Provider Network, Inc.

Work highlights

Represented Silvergate Bank and its parent, Silvergate Capital Corporation, in connection with the Bank’s voluntary self-liquidation and in related regulatory and investigative matters, which culminated in settlements with the Federal Reserve, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the SEC.
r=Representing AerCap Holdings N.V., the world’s largest commercial aircraft leasing company, in connection with U.S. sanctions and export controls matters, and has secured over $1.2b in related insurance recoveries involving Russian airlines’ refusal to return over 100 aircraft leased from AerCap following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Representing Spirit AeroSystems in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations related to the January 5, 2024 Alaska Airlines incident, the B737 MAX 9 door plug and safety and quality processes in the B737 MAX line production.
Other key lawyers

Jennifer Leete; Evan Norris