Best Lawyers in Massachusetts, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
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Brian French is a partner and member of the firm’s Government Investigations and White Collar Defense team. He represents clients in government enforcement and internal compliance matters, primarily involving the life sciences and health care industries. What do you focus on? Government Enforcement I represent a wide range of health care organizations, life sciences companies, executives, and employees in government investigations and related criminal and civil litigation initiated by t...
Moving between the public and private sectors, Bill Codinha has led some of the highest profile governmental investigations conducted in the past 20 years and now defends corporations and individuals caught up in similar investigations. Bill brings his unique and effective experience to the defense of all of his clients. What do you focus on? I leverage my 30+ years of experience defending individuals and corporations who are the subject of government investigations. As a prosecutor, I tried ...
Peter E. Ball is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Peter E., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sarah Walters is an experienced trial lawyer who focuses her practice on white collar criminal defense, regulatory enforcement and compliance matters and complex civil litigation. In addition to both criminal and civil trial work, Sarah has substantial experience conducting internal investigations and representing clients in securities, healthcare and other government enforcement matters. She also assists companies in developing compliance policies and training programs. Read full biography: ...
Kaela M. Athay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Health Care Law. Kaela M., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kaela M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Thanithia Billings represents clients in a wide array of complex commercial litigation and investigations matters. She has worked with a diverse group of clients, including private equity firms, public companies, and investment management firms. Ms. Billings maintains a robust pro bono practice, including representation in housing court, as well as providing aid to nonprofit organizations in constitution challenges to government actions.
R. Nicholas Perkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. R. Nicholas, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Nicholas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Elizabeth Perkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Elizabeth, who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, 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 top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Renna M. Ayyash is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Intellectual Property. Renna M., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Renna M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Katherine V. Mackey focuses her practice on complex litigation matters, including commercial litigation, internal investigations, and appeals. She has represented a variety of companies, including a major automotive manufacturer, a financial services company, and an electronics company.
Brianna Portu is a litigator and a member of Nixon Peabody’s Government Investigations and White Collar Defense practice group, representing individuals and corporations across multiple industries. My focus I represent individuals and companies through all stages of government investigations, internal investigations, and complex civil and criminal litigation. I advise clients in responding to grand jury subpoenas, HIPAA subpoenas, and civil investigative demands involving various enforc...
Alison T. Holdway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Securities. Alison T., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mark S. Gaioni is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mark S., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Sarah Remes represents clients in complex commercial litigation, including class actions, construction, and employment-related disputes. She also represents clients in governmental and internal investigations and enforcement actions by the multilateral development banks. With particular experience with anti-money laundering and trade sanctions, Sarah assists companies across a range of industries in developing and evaluating their compliance programs. Prior to joining Pierce Atwood, Sarah was...
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.