Criminal / White Collar Defense and Investigations
Our experienced criminal defense team represents individuals and companies in a wide range of criminal proceedings and adjacent investigations and civil proceedings, including qui tam proceedings under the False Claims Act. Collectively, we have defended clients in white collar prosecutions and investigations involving bank fraud, healthcare fraud, federal programs bribery, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fraud, money laundering, public corruption, mail and wire fraud, tax-related crimes, immigration-related crimes, and mortgage fraud, among other allegations. We have also represented numerous defendants on other serious federal felony charges, including firearms offenses, controlled substances offenses, homicides, and property crimes. Business clients retain us to structure and conduct internal investigations stemming from allegations of misconduct within the business, sometimes involving current executives or employees. Our in-depth knowledge of criminal law and procedure and our wealth of experience with prosecutors and law enforcement enable us to provide our clients with advice and advocacy tailored to each unique case.
Even before criminal charges are under consideration, our team is on the lookout for pitfalls in civil litigation that could lead to criminal investigation or charges. We represent clients at all stages of the criminal process, often starting with a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or initial contact with law enforcement. We try to help our clients avoid prosecution whenever possible by working with the client to develop a strategy for persuading prosecutors and law enforcement agents that prosecution is unwarranted. We provide guidance at the investigative, target letter, and grand jury stages to help our clients make the best decisions early in the process. When criminal charges are filed, we work closely with each client to develop a defense strategy that aligns with the client’s goals and needs. We have defended numerous cases to verdict and through post-trial motions, appeal, and collateral review proceedings. When a client makes the difficult decision to plead guilty to a criminal charge, we focus our efforts on plea negotiations and sentencing advocacy.
Ellis & Winters partners are leaders in the federal criminal defense bar. Partners Kelly Margolis Dagger and Paul Sun have each served on the Local Criminal Rules Committee for the Eastern District of North Carolina, using their unique perspectives and experience to shape the practice of federal criminal law in the district. Kelly and Paul, along with associate Frank O’Hale, serve on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the Eastern District of North Carolina, accepting federal felony cases for criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel. Kelly devotes further time to promoting high-quality representation of all defendants, even those who cannot afford counsel, by serving on the committee that oversees the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Criminal Justice Act panel. Kelly is a regular speaker at seminars on federal criminal practice. Kelly, Paul, and partner Michelle Liguori also serve on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, handling federal criminal appeals in felony cases where the defendant cannot afford counsel.
Experience
Our experienced criminal defense team represents individuals and companies in a wide range of criminal proceedings and adjacent investigations and civil proceedings, including qui tam proceedings under the False Claims Act. Collectively, we have defended clients in white collar prosecutions and investigations involving bank fraud, healthcare fraud, federal programs bribery, Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan fraud, Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) fraud, money laundering, public corruption, mail and wire fraud, tax-related crimes, immigration-related crimes, and mortgage fraud, among other allegations. We have also represented numerous defendants on other serious federal felony charges, including firearms offenses, controlled substances offenses, homicides, and property crimes. Business clients retain us to structure and conduct internal investigations stemming from allegations of misconduct within the business, sometimes involving current executives or employees. Our in-depth knowledge of criminal law and procedure and our wealth of experience with prosecutors and law enforcement enable us to provide our clients with advice and advocacy tailored to each unique case.
Even before criminal charges are under consideration, our team is on the lookout for pitfalls in civil litigation that could lead to criminal investigation or charges. We represent clients at all stages of the criminal process, often starting with a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or initial contact with law enforcement. We try to help our clients avoid prosecution whenever possible by working with the client to develop a strategy for persuading prosecutors and law enforcement agents that prosecution is unwarranted. We provide guidance at the investigative, target letter, and grand jury stages to help our clients make the best decisions early in the process. When criminal charges are filed, we work closely with each client to develop a defense strategy that aligns with the client’s goals and needs. We have defended numerous cases to verdict and through post-trial motions, appeal, and collateral review proceedings. When a client makes the difficult decision to plead guilty to a criminal charge, we focus our efforts on plea negotiations and sentencing advocacy.
Ellis & Winters partners are leaders in the federal criminal defense bar. Partners Kelly Margolis Dagger and Paul Sun have each served on the Local Criminal Rules Committee for the Eastern District of North Carolina, using their unique perspectives and experience to shape the practice of federal criminal law in the district. Kelly and Paul, along with associate Frank O’Hale, serve on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the Eastern District of North Carolina, accepting federal felony cases for criminal defendants who cannot afford counsel. Kelly devotes further time to promoting high-quality representation of all defendants, even those who cannot afford counsel, by serving on the committee that oversees the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Criminal Justice Act panel. Kelly is a regular speaker at seminars on federal criminal practice. Kelly, Paul, and partner Michelle Liguori also serve on the Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, handling federal criminal appeals in felony cases where the defendant cannot afford counsel.