Yankwitt LLP represents individuals, executives, and companies in high-stakes criminal investigations and prosecutions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, state attorneys general, regulators and local prosecutors.
Our Criminal Defense and Investigations practice is led by Benjamin Allee and Jason Swergold, two former Deputy Chiefs of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where each supervised dozens of federal prosecutors and oversaw all federal criminal prosecutions in Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Sullivan counties. Their leadership, combined with the fact that we are the only firm outside New York City with two of the highest-ranking former chiefs from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in White Plains, gives our clients unparalleled insight and advocacy.
Former Federal Prosecutors with a Track Record of Success
Yankwitt LLP is widely recognized as Westchester County’s premier litigation firm, distinguished by the unmatched experience of our team. More than half of our senior attorneys in New York are former Assistant U.S. Attorneys, and our roster includes a former Assistant District Attorney, giving us an exceptional perspective on both federal and state prosecutions.
Our team brings decades of courtroom experience, exceptional judgment, and investigative skill to every matter. We understand that criminal, civil, and administrative investigations can threaten a client’s livelihood, business, and freedom.
Our approach is proactive and personalized: we craft strategies tailored to the specific facts, risks, and goals of each case. Whether the objective is to prevent charges, negotiate a favorable resolution, or mount a strong trial defense, we deliver results with precision, discretion, and clarity.
Handling High-Stakes Criminal and Regulatory Matters
Yankwitt LLP defends clients in complex white collar and regulatory matters including:
- Fraud: We represent clients accused of wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, and larceny. Our experience covers allegations of fraudulent stock offerings, Ponzi schemes, market manipulation, accounting fraud, embezzlement, and other alleged financial crimes. We guide clients through investigations by the DOJ, SEC, and other regulatory agencies, working to prevent charges where possible or to develop a strong defense strategy if charges are filed.
- Public corruption: We defend public officials and private individuals facing allegations of bribery, kickbacks, conversion, or abuse of office. Our team understands the sensitive reputational stakes involved and approaches each matter with discretion and strategy.
- Insider trading: We handle investigations and prosecutions related to the alleged misuse of material non-public information in securities transactions. Our team analyzes complex trading data and communications to build strong defenses and negotiate favorable outcomes.
- Tax evasion: Our firm represents individuals and businesses accused of tax evasion, false filings, or other violations pursued by the IRS or state authorities. We seek to negotiate favorable resolutions of tax matters that minimize our clients’ financial burden.
- Money laundering: We defend clients against accusations of concealing or transferring funds derived from illegal activity. Our team addresses both the underlying allegations and the associated regulatory risks, including potential forfeiture actions.
- Export control violations: We represent companies and executives accused of violating U.S. export laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Our approach includes vigorous defense in investigations and prosecutions.
- Violations of the Controlled Substances Act: We represent businesses and individuals facing charges related to the distribution or handling of controlled substances, including clients operating in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and logistics industries.
- Consumer protection: We represent companies facing allegations of violations of state consumer protection laws and regulations. Our responses include both zealous litigation in administrative fora and negotiation with regulatory authorities to achieve optimal outcomes..
Our team has achieved extraordinary outcomes. Examples include:
- Persuading federal authorities not to bring charges in a high-profile insider trading investigation
- Securing a misdemeanor plea with no incarceration in a multi-million-dollar federal fraud case
- Immunity for an individual named as a subject in a federal criminal antitrust investigation
- Obtaining probation for a public employee charged with bribery and honest services fraud
- Delivering a significantly below-guidelines sentence for a physician charged with diverting controlled substances.
Attorneys Trusted by the City of New York
The firm was also selected by the City of New York as “pool counsel” to represent dozens of current and former employees in connection with federal corruption investigations led by the DOJ and FBI into the Adams mayoral administration, as well as the NYC Department of Investigation.
Trusted for Sensitive Internal Investigations
In addition to our litigation and defense work, Yankwitt LLP regularly conducts internal investigations on behalf of corporate and institutional clients across a range of industries. We have led investigations into:
- Unauthorized disclosures of confidential information at a billion-dollar distribution company
- Whistleblower allegations of accounting misconduct at a billion-dollar software company
- Cyber fraud targeting a prominent law firm
- Quality control failures involving pharmaceutical vendors
Our criminal defense lawyers also help clients manage the challenges of overlapping legal exposures, including simultaneous criminal, civil, and regulatory inquiries. Our deep government experience allows us to quickly assess risk, navigate enforcement environments, and deliver clear, actionable guidance.
Top-Tier Recognition for Yankwitt LLP’s Criminal Defense & Investigations Practice
Yankwitt LLP’s Criminal Defense & Investigations attorneys have earned top-tier recognition from Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, Legal 500, and Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. These honors reflect the firm’s reputation for excellence in high-stakes matters and its ability to deliver sophisticated representation with the responsiveness and flexibility of a boutique practice.
