Clark Hill’s White Collar Criminal Defense practice group is experienced in all aspects of criminal, regulatory and enforcement matters. Whether we represent a company or an individual, our lawyers have the experience and judgment to zealously defend and represent our clients from investigation through trial and appeal. Where trial is necessary, Clark Hill attorneys have the experience and skill to present a first-class defense. Our experience with jury consultants, experts, investigators, and co-defendant dynamics is often the key to securing the most favorable trial result.
Martin E. Crandall leads Clark Hill's White Collar Criminal Defense practice group. Martin is a veteran trial attorney with many years of experience working as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit. Martin has been practicing criminal law since 1979, and has handled more than one hundred bench and jury trials in the full gamut of criminal cases, including complex RICO, extortion and a variety of white collar fraud cases. Patricia Sulzbach is also a former federal prosecutor and former Naval JAG Officer with a depth of experience in both criminal defense and internal investigations. Patricia has tried more than seventy-five cases, including complex and high profile cases involving FCPA, corruption, fraud, money laundering, and drug trafficking, and has conducted numerous internal investigations, both domestic and international, on behalf of corporations and audit committees.
Internal Investigations
Our courtroom experience is matched by our investigative experience and our ability to negotiate favorable outcomes for our clients. Internal investigations are critical for detecting potential wrongdoing, preempting government action, and restoring corporate integrity. Our lawyers have conducted thorough investigations, both domestic and international, and provided remedial measures where appropriate. We consistently strive to help clients avoid exposure to government scrutiny by conducting internal investigations, audits, compliance reviews, and training. For clients under investigation or subject to a subpoena or request for interview, we have repeatedly and successfully investigated the matter and either reduced the scope of the government’s action or obtained declinations of prosecution from the government.
Problem Avoidance
We strive to detect, analyze and solve problems at the earliest stage and with as little disruption as possible. A primary objective is to prevent government enforcement through effective compliance programs, corporate governance programs, and internal safeguards. Being mindful of the government’s increased use of parallel proceedings, we investigate and negotiate with the government while making every effort to protect our client’s information and ensure that any information provided is not utilized in a parallel context.
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) (1968)
RICO, one of the Federal Prosecutor’s most lethal weapons since 1968, which if used improperly or abused can impact individuals or corporations either directly or collaterally; and the collateral damage can be disastrous. Our firm has vast experience in this arena as Martin Crandall has tried and/or participated in many civil and criminal RICO cases on both the prosecution and defense sides of the Federal courtrooms in Eastern Michigan. In fact, Martin co-authored "Civil RICO and the Labor Law Practitioner" (Michigan Bar Journal, July 1989) which examines the implications of the RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) statute on the practice of labor law. Recent jury trials in the past three years have avoided the direct and collateral damages to which our clients were exposed by virtue of having been charged (inappropriately) in two such criminal Indictments. In one case the client was acquitted by a jury of the RICO charge, which three co-defendants were convicted; and in a second case, after two months of trial, the government dismissed the RICO charge and offered a plea bargain which avoided the Draconian consequences of the RICO count. We offer this valuable experience to our clients.
Our Expertise
Clark Hill's White Collar Criminal Defense practice group is prepared to respond to client needs in both proactive and reactive circumstances. We counsel clients in every substantive area of criminal and regulatory defense, including:
- Healthcare Fraud
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Civil and Criminal RICO
- Whistleblower Complaints
- False Claims Act
- Environmental Enforcement
- Mail and Wire Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Grand Jury Subpoenas
- Asset Seizure and Forfeiture
- Debarment
- Post-Conviction Remedies
- IRS Administrative Subpoenas and Audits
- Congressional Inquiries
- Compliance
Corporate Monitorship
Clark Hill is part of a small group of firms with experience serving as a corporate monitor. Companies may be able to avoid prosecution or reduce penalties if they agree to a corporate monitorship. A corporate monitor is selected by the target of a government investigation and approved by the prosecuting agency. Choosing a monitor with this unique and proven experience is not only important to the company, but is also a litmus test for the government.