Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Alexandre H. Rene is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Alexandre H., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexandre H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jamie Gorelick is widely regarded as one of the nation’s most distinguished lawyers. As Law.com recently wrote, “Think of some of the most defining moments in American history over the last five decades, from Watergate to the 9/11 attacks, and attorney Jamie Gorelick has often been there in the moment or aftermath, fact-finding or working to advance a client's interest. Think of some of the biggest disasters and crises, and the Brooklyn, New York native has been there, too, repres...
Seth Waxman is a former federal prosecutor and nationally recognized white collar criminal defense with more than two decades of experience handling high profile sensitive criminal and civil matters. Seth handles a wide array of challenging cases, ranging from the Flint water criminal investigation to complex internal investigations for Fortune 500 companies. Seth is a seasoned trial lawyer, having been lead counsel in more than sixty jury trials, thirty bench trials, and fifteen matters on a...
Jason Wilson represents corporations and individuals in investigations and related proceedings, including white collar criminal, anti-money laundering and securities enforcement matters. He has significant experience defending financial institutions, tech companies and other clients in investigations brought by the Department of Justice, US Attorneys’ Offices, SEC, FINRA and other regulators, including state regulatory bodies. In addition, Mr. Wilson has experience conducting investigat...
Jeff Habenicht represents and counsels clients regarding a broad range of complex regulatory matters in connection with government investigations, congressional inquiries and product development involving intersecting legal, public policy and media dimensions that frequently require a coordinated strategic response. He has extensive experience working with social media platforms, including representing executives and technology companies in high-profile congressional investigations and hearin...
Abigail Burke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Abigail, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Abigail is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Derek K. Kraft is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Derek K., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Derek K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brian Wilmot is an associate in the Investigation and White Collar Defense practice of Paul Hastings, based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Wilmot advises clients in white collar litigation, internal and government investigations, government enforcement proceedings brought by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, and FERC, compliance monitorships, compliance program enhancement and development, and anti-corruption due diligence. His practice includes complex, multi-jurisdictional matters, serv...
David B. Houck is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. David B., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jarrad Kirsh is a litigator and member of the Government Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group. He represents clients in internal and government investigations. My focus I represent corporate and individual clients through all stages of investigations, including criminal and regulatory investigations. I have represented clients in high-profile, high-stakes government investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, multiple U.S. Attorney offices, and the U.S. Sec...
Emerson Siegle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Financial Services Regulation Law. Emerson, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emerson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Audi Syarief is of counsel in the Washington, D.C. office of Gibson Dunn and a member of the firm’s International Trade Practice Group. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches U.S. economic sanctions and export controls. Audi advises clients on all aspects of U.S. economic sanctions and export controls, with significant experience in enforcement risk assessment, internal investigations, compliance program design, and restricted...
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.