Recognitions
Winston Recognized as “Best White Collar Defense” in The National Law Journal’s 2020 Washington, D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year
Recognitions
Winston Recognized as “Best White Collar Defense” in The National Law Journal’s 2020 Washington, D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year
May 27, 2020
We are proud to announce that our litigation team has been recognized as “Best White Collar Defense” in The National Law Journal’s annual Washington, D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year special report.
This annual ranking honors law firms in the Washington, D.C. area that display excellence in six categories: general litigation, labor and employment, insurance, intellectual property, products liability/mass torts, and white collar defense.
In light of this victory, Abbe Lowell, co-chair of Winston’s White Collar, Regulatory Defense & Investigations practice group, was highlighted in a profile by The National Law Journal. He discussed Winston’s unique approach to white collar cases and his personal advice and perspective on litigation.
“Take more risks, both in your work and in your career choices,” Abbe said in the interview. “The road less traveled may have more potholes and scary turns but often leads to a more scenic destination and a more interesting trip along the way.” You can read Abbe’s full interview here and below.
Both locally in Washington and across the United States, Abbe is considered one of foremost white collar defense and trial lawyers. He has tried complex civil and criminal cases in over a dozen states and argued appeals before numerous courts that include the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to his time at Winston, Abbe served as Chief Minority Counsel to the House of Representatives during the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton, and as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General and Special Counselor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Q&A with White Collar Defense Attorney Abbe Lowell
Describe your firm’s approach to litigation and your strategy for building successful teams for trials or other matters.
We build teams by matching the case with the most experienced attorney from a substantive, industry, and procedural perspective (e.g., investigation, compliance, trial, appeal). We staff across offices to put the best team in the field. We invest in first-chair and “on-your-feet” training at all skill levels. Junior attorneys develop substantive specialties and learn courtroom skills from day one. Our white collar practice has developed a talent model emphasizing courtroom and investigation skills, grounded in apprenticeship, to develop instincts and judgment. This pays off in the form of a lean, thoughtful and powerful team.
Discuss the two biggest white collar litigation cases your firm worked on in 2019 and how you reached successful outcomes.
In representing Banco San Juan Internacional and its owners relating to a search warrant and a civil forfeiture action alleging serious sanction and other criminal violations and seizing $53 million, we secured an order declaring the search unconstitutional, litigated the forfeiture and settled with the government, which conceded its case was based on faulty information, returned the $53 million (minus an administrative penalty), and entered into a [nonprosecution agreement] with the bank, its directors and [its] officers.
We obtained the final acquittal of Sen. Hector Martinez, following an eight-year litigation battle including two trials and four appeals (including one to the U.S. Supreme Court). The government alleged that co-defendant Juan Bravo bribed Martinez by paying for some travel expenses in exchange for Martinez’s support for two popular public safety bills (already sponsored by Martinez) that passed the Senate nearly unanimously.
What are the most challenging and satisfying aspects of your work in litigation?
The most challenging and rewarding aspects are two sides of the same coin. Prosecutors have never had more authority and power than they do now. Being able to pose a strong counterbalance to that and actually succeed—often—is very gratifying. This is especially true when representing companies that, after the Arthur Anderson case, rarely go to trial but for which our work has resulted in successful resolutions and where our trial and appellate work stand up well against the government’s typically 95% or higher individual conviction rate.
What is the most important piece of advice you’d share with young lawyers?
Take more risks, both in your work and in your career choices. The road less traveled may have more potholes and scary turns but often leads to a more scenic destination and a more interesting trip along the way.