Williams & Connolly LLP has a go-to group for white-collar criminal defense. Praised for its ‘deep bench of talent’, the team represents public companies, private companies, senior corporate executives, and board members on a broad range of regulatory enforcement matters, including sanctions, money laundering, fraud, public corruption, criminal antitrust, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Co-leading the the group, David Zinn has a broad practice that encompasses all aspects of criminal defense and government investigations, often those involving foreign regulatory authorities, Tobin Romero acts for multinational corporations, corporate executives, and other individuals in both domestic and cross-border investigations and prosecutions, and Lance Wade focuses on criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and high-stakes civil litigation. Other key lawyers include Brendan Sullivan, a seasoned litigator who handles all types of criminal investigations, litigation, internal investigations, and government regulatory matters, and criminal and civil litigation expert Kevin Downey. All lawyers mentioned are based in Washington DC.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Put simply, there is no better law firm in the country for a complex white-collar case than Williams and Connolly. The firm's aggressive litigation style and fierce devotion to its clients (both individual and corporate) produce outstanding results in even the toughest cases. I always tell potential clients I'm referring to them: if I found myself in serious trouble, with my liberty and my property at stake, that's who I would hire to represent me. They're the best.’
‘Williams and Connolly has a deep bench of talent.’
‘Tobin Romero is a very smart, aggressive lawyer who is also a pleasure to work with.'
'Robert Carey is a brilliant lawyer with a terrific reputation and contacts.’
Key clients
- Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S. (“Halkbank”)
- Elizabeth Holmes
- Amicus For Supreme Court, Court-Appointed
- Holsey Ellingburg, Jr.
- Munson P. Hunter, III
Work highlights
Representing Turkiye Halk Bankasi (“Halkbank”) in defending against an indictment in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charging the bank with bank fraud, money laundering, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and related conspiracy charges.
Representing a bank in the fintech industry, and several of its employees, in parallel DOJ, SEC, and CFPB investigations involving allegations of Bank Secrecy Act violations and failures in AML.
Acting as lead counsel for Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and former CEO of Theranos, in defending against an indictment brought by the U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of California alleging wire fraud.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading lawyers: Advice to individuals
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
David Zinn; Tobin Romero; Lance Wade
Other key lawyers
Brendan Sullivan; Kevin Downey; Robert Cary; Simon Latcovich