Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
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State
Bob Brennan is who you want in your corner when the government comes calling. A former federal prosecutor, Bob’s work is informed by deep experience in healthcare compliance. He is known for his pragmatic, client-centric approach to the defense of civil and criminal investigations including False Claims Act matters, compliance counseling regarding potential exposure under the False Claims Act statute, the Anti-kickback statute, and the Stark law and complex civil litigation. Much of Bob...
Mark D. Pollack is a partner in the Litigation practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Chicago office. He also serves as the Firm’s General Counsel. Mr. Pollack concentrates his practice in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation, internal corporate investigations, and compliance counseling. He has extensive experience in counseling and defending corporations, boards of directors, and executive officers in relation to a broad range of...
With over 50 years experience as a defense lawyer, Tom’s practice includes criminal matters, with an emphasis on federal and state commercial and white collar prosecutions. He has extensive trial experience in the defense of commercial and white collar criminal cases, as well as cases involving allegations of public corruption, money laundering, fraud, computer tampering, arson, theft, assault, and vehicular manslaughter. In addition, Tom has been lead trial counsel in a number of capit...
John practices in all areas of litigation with particular emphasis on criminal, white collar and DUI/OVI (“drunk driving”) defense; and civil litigation involving municipal law, business law, and serious personal injury and wrongful death claims in both State and Federal Court. John was named to the Super Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in Ohio for 2013. 2017 and 2018 and the Top 50 Lawyers in Cincinnati for 2012 through 2018. He is The Best Lawyers in America 2015 Cincinnati Criminal Def...
Nathan A. Bicks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Litigation - Municipal. Nathan A., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geo...
Paul S. Chan is the managing principal of Bird Marella. His practice focuses on the trial and arbitration of complex business disputes, including commercial fraud, class action, securities, and intellectual property litigation. Paul also represents companies and individuals in regulatory and parallel civil/criminal investigations. A graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College, Paul has particular expertise litigating cases involving the False Claims Act, civil RICO statute, unfair comp...
Dennis J. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Dennis J., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dennis J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
As a former three-term District Attorney in Dane County, Hal Harlowe’s familiarity with the complex operations of our legal system gives him an invaluable advantage in defending clients. His trial experience includes representing defendants in juvenile and criminal defense cases, defending licensed professionals in disciplinary matters, and litigating civil matters such as personal injury, contract disputes, real estate and guardianship cases. Having led countless investigations himself...
Mr. Schneider has defended individuals, businesses and public officials in a myriad of criminal matters that include public corruption and matters involving tax, health care, securities and mortgage fraud. In addition, he has defended individuals and businesses before licensing boards, regulators and in professional liability litigation. He has: defended against federal and state prosecutions involving charges of bribery, public corruption, money laundering and fraud. defended business profes...
Sam Josephs is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer who focuses on white-collar criminal matters and government enforcement actions, as well as complex civil litigation and administrative matters. In 2023, Sam was recognized by the Daily Journal in its list of Top White-Collar Lawyers. Sam has achieved remarkable results for his clients, both before and after trial, including an acquittal on all charges following an eight-week jury trial on behalf of a Fox Sports executive charged in the...
Donna is one of New Hampshire’s most experienced and respected trial attorneys. In her 29 years of practice she has been lead counsel in some of the most high profile cases in this state. She has tried over 150 jury trials including charges of homicide, aggravated felonious sexual assault, felony assault, domestic violence, DWI, theft, sale and possession of drugs as well as numerous motor vehicle cases. Donna has obtained verdicts of not guilty in numerous cases including affirmative d...
Terrence M. Connors has been recognized by his peers as one of the pre-eminent trial attorneys in the state. For the past seven years, he has been ranked as the number one lawyer in all upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine. This year, the Erie County Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year and, in 2006, the New York State Bar Association awarded him the prestigious Attorney Professionalism Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in that organizati...
Elizabeth Franklin-Best is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Criminal Defense: General Practice. She is also ranked in Chambers USA 2026 in White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations. Elizabeth, who practices law in Columbia, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth is held by other ...
Neil Eggleston is a litigation partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Neil has a distinguished record of public service, and has held a number of senior government roles. He was White House Counsel to President Obama from 2014 to 2017, and advised the president on all legal and constitutional issues across a broad spectrum of domestic and foreign policy matters. Neil’s practice focuses on enforcement defense including at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)...
Trent J. Sandifur is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Trent J., who practices law in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trent J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.