Practice

White Collar Defense and Investigations

Trusted Legal Counsel in Government and Internal Investigations

Sheppard’s White Collar Defense and Investigations team defends companies and their directors, officers and employees in high-stakes government inquiries, investigations and proceedings. 

While our greatest achievements are non-public, our team also has consistently compelled the government to meet its burden of proof, resulting in favorable outcomes for clients.   

Solutions for the Most Complex and Challenging White Collar Matters

Clients trust us for judgment honed by decades of experience and relationships across the enforcement landscape. We approach every matter with a focus on delivering solutions that resolve immediate challenges and position clients for long-term success. 

With a national Tier 1 ranking for Criminal Defense: White Collar by Best Law Firms (2025), Sheppard’s team includes more than 60 former government lawyers, including senior federal and state prosecutors, enforcement attorneys and regulators. This extensive, firsthand experience gives us deep insight into how agencies such as the DOJ, SEC, FINRA, FTC, IRS, FDA and HHS investigate, prosecute and resolve matters—and how to anticipate their next moves. 

Our work spans the full spectrum of white collar matters, including fraud, FCPA, securities violations, antitrust cartel, False Claims Act, national security, healthcare, tax, public corruption, cybercrime, money laundering, environmental crimes and more. The clients we serve come from a wide range of industries, such as health care, financial services, technology, life sciences, energy, media, and aerospace and defense. 

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Areas of Focus

Congressional Investigations
Our team guides companies, boards and individuals through congressional investigations with strategic focus and experience. We prepare clients for hearings, manage risks and align legal, business and reputational interests, ensuring effective engagement and protection during high-stakes inquiries on Capitol Hill. 
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False Claims Act
Facing False Claims Act allegations, companies, executives and professionals turn to us for robust, nationwide defense. Backed by former DOJ prosecutors, our team delivers strategic, trial-ready counsel to protect business interests and reputation in high-stakes FCA cases. We identify vulnerabilities, develop tailored defense strategies and prioritize outcomes aligned with long-term operations and stakeholder trust. 
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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Our FCPA team, led by former federal prosecutors, provides expert guidance in navigating complex, cross-border anti-corruption challenges. From proactive compliance programs to defending against DOJ and SEC actions, we deliver disciplined strategies that mitigate risk and protect clients. With a holistic approach, we address overlapping issues like governance, trade and sanctions when crafting effective solutions in high-stakes matters. 
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Healthcare Enforcement
Sheppard’s healthcare enforcement team guides health systems, insurers and life sciences companies through government investigations and health care fraud and abuse challenges with strategic counsel. Our lawyers are recognized for early, discreet resolutions that protect reputations. We proactively address regulatory and enforcement challenges—resolving issues swiftly, aligning defense strategies and positioning organizations to adapt as health care enforcement priorities evolve.
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National Security
We help clients navigate the complexities of national security, managing evolving risks and sensitive government issues with confidence. Our bipartisan team, led by the former general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, delivers clear, practical solutions for challenges at the intersection of law, technology and policy, providing proactive guidance across investigations, compliance and fast-changing regulatory priorities. 
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Organizational Integrity Group
Boards and leadership teams rely on Sheppard’s Organizational Integrity Group for direct, interdisciplinary strategies that solve complex compliance challenges. By applying evidence-based and values-driven approaches, we help clients anticipate, manage and mitigate organizational risk, supporting sustainable integrity and resilience across regulated sectors. 
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Public Policy and Government Affairs
Our bipartisan team leverages deep government and Capitol Hill experience to guide clients through complex public policy and government affairs issues. Combining legal skill and strategic advocacy, we deliver solutions for clients facing regulatory scrutiny or advancing policy goals, transforming challenges into opportunities for lasting impact in Washington and beyond. 
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Securities Enforcement
Sheppard represents corporations, financial institutions and executives in complex securities enforcement investigations and regulatory actions. Our team, which includes former enforcement lawyers from FINRA and the NYSE as well as prosecutors from the Department of Justice, provides practical strategies to protect against scrutiny, reputational harm and liability. We defend clients before the SEC, DOJ and FINRA, conduct internal investigations and advise on compliance, digital asset regulation and emerging issues. 
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