White Collar Defense
If you are being investigated or prosecuted for a white-collar offense, you are probably facing one of the most serious challenges of your life. You need solid, experienced counsel to get through it and solve the problem.
The white-collar environment has changed dramatically in recent years. Real people in the business world and online are facing more — and more serious — prosecutions in state and federal court. Sentences are higher. Jurors are less sympathetic. Law enforcement is using new tools, like wiretaps, once reserved for narcotics and violent offenders. Corporations are under enormous pressure to cooperate at the expense of the individual officers and employees.
Nathaniel Burney is one of the few lawyers with significant experience in this new arena. With mastery of wiretaps as well as complex financial dealings, Mr. Burney excels at protecting clients, even in the most challenging cases.
Get prosecutors and regulators to look at your case in a new way…
The right way…
Your way.
Even the best prosecutors can fail to understand your business world. They may see your case as being much more serious than it really is. They may misinterpret innocent facts as damning. An excellent lawyer will find ways to turn that around.
Mr. Burney is proud of his reputation for getting prosecutors to see cases in a new light — often convincing them not to bring charges at all, when involved early enough in the case. He knows how to present new facts, or new ways of looking at the facts, to protect his clients.
When cases do go to trial, Mr. Burney has a proven record of getting judges and juries to understand your side of the story. He loves trying cases, and he is good at it. The key is preparation, putting in the hard work to know the case better than the other side, plus the storyteller’s knack of persuasion.
Services you can rely on.
Although Mr. Burney is frequently called in to replace or assist other counsel, he represents clients at every stage of the process. Typical services include:
- Advising clients under investigation, dealing with subpoenas, resolving complex issues, and fighting to shut down cases before they begin.
- Negotiating — or going on the offensive, if need be — to avoid or minimize criminal charges.
- Coordinating arrests, when necessary, to minimize embarrassment, and providing counsel for intake procedures.
- Arguing for reasonable bail to ensure speedy restoration of liberty
- Fighting criminal charges all the way through trial — making solid legal arguments, carefully analyzing the evidence, devising creative and sound strategies, engaging in tough negotiation, and providing skilled courtroom advocacy.
Recent Success Stories
Forgery
Federal client facing charges of forgery of government documents and related misrepresentations in multiple jurisdictions.
NO JAIL, NO FINE.
Tax fraud
Client facing charges of tax fraud and related financial crimes.
NOT PROSECUTED.
Procurement fraud
Client charged with defrauding the federal government and stealing trade secrets. After client had pled guilty with other counsel, fought the government at sentencing. Government sought millions of dollars in fines and several years of prison. Persuaded the court that economic loss was de minimus, and to disregard the sentencing guidelines entirely.
NO JAIL, NO FINE.
Securities fraud
Client, a manager of the Bear Stearns subprime hedge funds, was investigated with others for allegations of defrauding investors. Although others were prosecuted, Mr. Burney and co-counsel persuaded the government not to charge the client.
NOT PROSECUTED.
Embezzlement
Client, a lawyer, was charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients. Advocated forcefully to overcome the government’s desired sentence of 5 to 15 years in prison.
NO JAIL, NO FINE.
Insurance fraud
Client investigated by state Attorney General with respect to an alleged health-care fraud ring.
NOT PROSECUTED.
