Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is known for its expertise in handling complex white-collar and regulatory matters the firm represents corporations, boards, and senior executives in internal investigations and regulatory enforcement actions, covering issues such as FCPA, digital assets, securities, ESG matters, insider trading, and more. The team includes experienced litigators and corporate advisors, with former senior DOJ and SEC officials. John D. Burretta , New York-based chair of the firm’s investigations practice, has extensive experience in criminal defense, regulatory compliance, and civil litigation. Jennifer Leete, in Washington DC, represents clients in sensitive matters, drawing on over two decades of regulatory enforcement experience. Benjamin Gruenstein has left the firm.

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.

‘Cravath is renowned for its expertise in corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense, offering clients a comprehensive and strategic approach to resolving some of the most complex legal challenges in the world. The firm’s longstanding reputation for excellence, combined with its deep commitment to collaboration, ensures that clients receive the highest level of service, regardless of jurisdiction or complexity.'
'What sets Cravath apart is its ability to integrate its deep institutional knowledge with a forward-thinking, results-driven mindset.'
'John Buretta is a powerhouse in managing large-scale, multi-regulator investigations. He has a calm, measured approach that inspires confidence, even in the most high-stakes situations. He’s particularly skilled at handling cross-border matters and has a knack for seamlessly coordinating with international teams. He always showcases his ability to get results under intense scrutiny.'
‘Highest level of legal services. Litigation / white collar group performs high quality work with an extraordinary level of efficiency and always at the highest quality. ’

Key clients

Silvergate Bank
AerCap Holdings N.V.
British American Tobacco
Ormat Technologies Inc.
Goldman Sachs & Co.
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.

Represented British American Tobacco (“BAT”) in reaching a global settlement, announced in April 2023, with the DOJ and OFAC, to resolve sanctions breaches arising from historical business activities in North Korea between 2007 and 2017 in violation of the bank fraud statute and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

RepresentingAerCap 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 $1.2 billion 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.