Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
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State
Ronald G. White is an experienced trial and appellate attorney whose practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, SEC enforcement matters, corporate internal investigations, and complex civil litigation. Mr. White has been recognized by leading directory publications including Legal 500 US 2012 and Best Lawyers in America 2010-2014 for his expertise in the area of white-collar criminal defense. Mr. White has tried numerous cases in federal and state court, and has briefed and argued 15 ...
Sarah Wirskye has been defending clients in white-collar criminal, False Claims Act and civil fraud disputes with the government for over 25 years. A strategic problem solver who is results focused and detail oriented, she works proactively with the government to help clients avoid an indictment or lawsuit. Sarah is an experienced courtroom litigator who has successfully tried white-collar criminal, civil, and other criminal cases in federal and state court. Sarah also has represented clients...
With 25+ years of experience in government investigations and white-collar defense, Brian Kelly is a nationally recognized former federal prosecutor and high-profile trial attorney. Brian has tried numerous federal cases including, most notably, U.S. v. James “Whitey” Bulger . His seasoned judgment and strategic counsel comes from decades of experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in both Boston and San Diego. Brian defends corporations and executives in federal and state i...
Thomas Scott was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 1997-2000. During this time, his accomplishments include prosecution of racketeering and conspiracy charges against some of South Florida's most violent street gangs, Medicare fraud cases against four major health care companies, sweeping reforms in airline and airport security (with prosecutions ranging from cases against baggage handlers to airlines) for issues including drug smuggling and cargo safety, and prosecu...
Christopher P. Conniff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy). Christopher P., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sharon Ben-Shahar Mayer’s practice focuses on complex business litigation. Sharon has represented clients in cases involving a wide spectrum of matters, ranging from securities fraud and legal malpractice to intellectual property and contract disputes. Sharon has represented both organizations and individuals, including corporate officers and directors, Fortune 500 companies, law firms, and technology companies. She has successfully handled trials and binding arbitrations, won case disp...
George J. Hazel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. George J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Asheesh Goel is a one of the leaders of Kirkland’s government & internal investigations practice and serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee. Asheesh advises clients on securities enforcement matters, including internal investigations, government investigations and enforcement actions. Asheesh has developed substantial depth on enforcement matters and transactional issues involving the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other related laws, financial statement and disclosu...
Attorney Charlie Rankin began practicing criminal law in 1980. He practices in both state and federal courts. Charlie’s practice focuses on representing clients in a diverse array of complex criminal matters, but he is best known for his work representing clients charged with white collar crimes, including health care fraud, Medicare and Medicaid fraud, computer or cybercrimes, financial fraud, telemarketing fraud, tax fraud, and public corruption. In recent years, he was successful in ...
Richard M. Strassberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Richard M., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Adam S. Nightingale provides legal representation and crisis management for companies, health care/medical providers and other individuals subject to government investigations and prosecutions. He also assists his clients in responding to subpoenas and civil investigative demands from federal and state regulatory and law-enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of Health and Human...
Jenny Sugar is a member of Moore & Van Allen's Litigation group. She represents corporations and executives in white collar criminal and government enforcement investigations, proceedings, and trials. As a federal prosecutor for more than two decades, Jenny investigated, prosecuted, and oversaw matters involving a broad range of complex financial crimes, including investment fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, tax fraud, Ponzi schemes, money laundering, and abuse of government funding programs...
Christopher (Chris) Joseph is the Managing Member of Joseph, Hollander & Craft LLC, where he chairs the firm’s criminal defense practice group. His practice involves criminal defense and civil litigation in federal and state courts across Kansas. Chris defends individuals facing federal criminal charges and high-level state felony charges and counsels individuals and businesses subject to government investigations. Chris also has ample experience litigating civil asset forfeiture ma...
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.