White Collar Crime Lawyers
White collar criminal cases are labyrinths of financial documents, business decisions, electronic records, and other shenanigans. They can arise from financial mistakes, broken business agreements, or even false accusations. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to understand them.
However, our experienced white-collar defense lawyers know exactly how to build strong defense strategies and achieve positive results for clients.
Have you faced charges of economic or official crimes?
Skilled white-collar criminal defense attorney specializes in protecting the interests of top managers, entrepreneurs, and other individuals. Our specialists will conduct a detailed legal analysis, prepare a defense strategy, and ensure the confidentiality of every step.
What is a white-collar crime?
White-collar crimes are non-violent illegal acts committed in a business or professional environment to obtain financial or economic gain. Their key feature is the use of deception, fraud, and abuse of trust or position, rather than physical violence or direct force.
Unlike standard crimes, where there is often a threat to life or health, white-collar crimes are committed by intellectual methods: forgery of documents, abuse of authority, and fraud with reporting.
The main goal is to obtain direct or indirect economic benefit (money, valuable assets, competitive advantage). Often such crimes are committed in the field of business, finance, government procurement, or management activities.
Among those accused of white-collar crime, most often turns out to be top managers, accountants, government officials, and entrepreneurs. Generally people with access to resources and trust from partners and clients.
The term “white collar” comes from the fact that representatives of the office environment wear a formal business suit and a white shirt, in contrast to “blue-collar workers” – workers in manufacturing professions. White-collar crimes are characterized by a higher level of complexity, secrecy, and sometimes large-scale financial losses for the victims.
Types of white collar crimes
Financial fraud: This white collar offense involves loss of investments by investors and creditors, destruction of confidence in financial markets. Difficulty in identifying schemes and collecting evidence due to multi-stage schemes and the use of offshore companies.
Financial pyramids and Ponzi schemes attract investors with the promise of high returns at the expense of new investors, rather than real profits. Theft through document forgery is the falsification of invoices, contracts, and signatures for the illegal withdrawal of funds. Credit card fraud (wire fraud) is the unauthorized use of someone else’s payment information, card cloning, or fictitious transactions.
Insider trading: purchase or sale of securities based on non-public data about a future merger, acquisition, or financial results of the company. It is also possible for there to be collusion between managers and shareholders in the transfer of important information that makes it possible to obtain excess profits at the expense of other market participants.
In many jurisdictions, insider trading is expressly prohibited or severely limited by stock market regulations like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commision (SEC). Violation can result in criminal investigations that may result in large fines and criminal penalties.
Tax evasion: use of fictitious companies, fake documents, cash payments to understate the tax base. This category also includes manipulations with rates and benefits: false declaration of the status of an enterprise, and incorrect classification of products or services. By maintaining black bookkeeping, it is possible to hide the real volume of business from the tax authorities like the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Money laundering: concealing the illicit origin of funds or other assets obtained from criminal activity in order to integrate them into the legal economy. This allows criminals to use illegally obtained funds while avoiding suspicion from law enforcement. Banks and other financial institutions may be subject to sanctions for non-compliance with AML rules. Companies face confiscation of assets and criminal liability for executives in cases of proven laundering.
Corruption and bribery: obtaining benefits by paying for the decisions of officials in favor of companies or individuals. Illegal incentives for employees to obtain a contract or preferences. Possible negative consequences include the destruction of competition and market transparency, and an increase in the cost of goods and services.
Legal Defense Strategies in White Collar Cases
Criminal prosecution for such offenses can result in large fines, confiscation of property, and even imprisonment for the accused. Therefore, it is extremely important to develop the most effective white-collar federal criminal defense.
First of all, it is necessary to collect and analyze evidence and conduct a full documentary audit. Our white-collar crime attorneys together with financial experts will check all available documentation to identify important details confirming the legality of transactions or refuting accusations. We highlight inconsistencies in witness statements and investigative materials to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.
The next stage is assessing risks and vulnerabilities. Sometimes investigators misinterpret financial information or fail to consider the context of transactions. White-collar criminal lawyer will analyze possible scenarios and choose the most appropriate line of defense depending on the evidence collected.
We work in close cooperation with various specialists. Auditors and accountants help to understand the intricacies of financial schemes. IT experts identify electronic traces of potential manipulations and collect data from correspondence. International law specialists are responsible for regulating offshore and cross-border transactions.
In addition, you can also conclude the government investigations with a plea bargain agreement during a white-collar criminal defense. If the evidence against the defendant is strong, we can help negotiate a plea agreement with the federal prosecutor or restitution in exchange for a lesser penalty. The pre-trial settlement allows you to close the case quickly, avoiding public disputes.
Also, white collar criminal defense law firm sprovide a comprehensive argumentation of the case, explain alternative versions of events, point out errors in the investigation and provide the court with evidence of the client’s good faith. We defend the right to a fair trial, analyze the economic essence of the case and substantively refute the claims of the prosecution. If the first instance makes an unfavorable decision, we are ready to appeal and continue our defense in higher courts.
Common Factors in White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are associated with non-violent, but often highly sophisticated financial crimes committed by employees, business executives, and entrepreneurs. Let’s look at the most common factors that lead to such crimes and distinguish them from other forms of criminal activity:
- Breach of trust: manipulating the trust of clients or investors by promising unrealistic returns or hiding real information about the financial condition of the company;
- Psychological aspect: Since such crimes do not involve the use of force or violence, their perpetrators rely on authority, reputation, and social connections. Managers and employees may believe that fraudulent schemes will go undetected, especially if they have intimate knowledge of the company’s internal processes and weaknesses;
- Wide access to resources: Management employees have access to accounting records, accounts, contracts and investments, which makes it easier to carry out fraudulent schemes or theft. Attackers often know the weaknesses of the compliance system or internal security, so they can manipulate reporting while remaining undetected for a long time;
- Engaging connections: attracting partners to create fictitious companies or dummy accounts, using official powers and acquaintances with influential persons to obtain illegal preferences;
- Thirst for quick profit: building long-term schemes with a constant flow of income;
- Lack of effective compliance procedures: incorrect or formal Anti-Fraud procedures, unclear instructions, lack of regular monitoring and external audit of the company;
- Transnational character: registration of companies in offshore jurisdictions with weakened controls and opaque legislation. Multi-layered transactions through multiple offshore companies make it difficult to determine the ultimate beneficiary and the true purpose of the funds.
Penalties for white collar crimes
White collar crimes can have various consequences, ranging from corporate investigations to prosecution in a federal court. The penalties for such crimes range from large fines and compensation to victims to lengthy prison sentences depending on the jurisdiction and severity of the charges:
- Large monetary penalties. Administrative fines may be imposed by tax authorities or financial regulators without initiating a criminal case (for example, when reporting irregularities or tax evasion are identified). Criminal fines are imposed by court order upon conviction of mail fraud, money laundering, identity theft, healthcare fraud corruption, and other serious offenses. Their size can reach millions of dollars;
- Asset confiscation. Criminals may be required by the federal authorities to return funds recovered from illegal transactions (for example, money laundering or securities fraud). In some cases, the court may decide to confiscate real estate, vehicles, and other assets used to commit a crime or acquired with dirty money;
- Criminal liability. Depending on the country and the severity of the crime, sentences can range from a few months to 10–20 years or more (especially for pyramid schemes, major fraud schemes, or systematic money laundering). For less serious offenses or in the case of a plea bargain, the accused may be given a suspended sentence with the obligation to pay damages;
- Prohibitions on professional activities. Top managers and directors found guilty are deprived of the opportunity to hold leadership positions in private businesses or government agencies. In cases of insider trading or abuse of power, a person may be prohibited from working for banks, investment funds, insurance companies, or other wealth management-related organizations;
- Cancellation of licenses. For those convicted of corruption or fraud by specialists, deprivation of professional status is one of the most serious punishments. Companies involved in corruption scandals are often excluded from the lists of government service providers, losing a significant part of their business;
- Reputational damage. Even after serving a sentence or paying a fine, those found guilty face distrust from potential employers and partners. Such cases often generate increased media interest, which leads to long-term reputational losses and the outflow of clients or investors.
Why do clients choose our white-collar crime lawyers?
White-collar offenses are complex and often transnational crimes, with federal charges resulting in severe consequences. As such, a white collar defense requires a deep understanding of criminal and federal law, financial analysis, and international compliance standards.
Our team brings together specialists from different jurisdictions. We know the specific nuances of the legislation of the United States federal government, EU, and other regions, as well as the principles of interaction with supervisory authorities and law enforcement agencies.
White collar criminal defense lawyer Iryna Berenstein – one of the key experts in our company. With many years of practice in the field of international corporate and criminal law, she successfully defends clients’ interests against charges of securities fraud, corruption, insider trading, and other federal crimes.
Our team of experienced specialists offers clients a comprehensive approach to white collar defense. We systematically examine financial documents, accounting reports, negotiations and electronic correspondence to find key arguments in the client’s defense. If necessary, we involve auditors, IT specialists and business assessment experts.
We will undertake communication with prosecutors, investigative authorities, and international institutions regarding the possibility of a pre-trial settlement or plea bargain. We represent the client’s interests in courts of various levels, and, if necessary, in cross-border proceedings.
Our team promptly responds to customer requests, understanding that white-collar defense requires a multi-faceted and personalized strategy. It is also important to make informed decisions quickly, meaning you cant rely on government lawyers to help you avoid severe penalties.
Contact our legal team right now to receive an initial consultation and develop an effective strategy to protect your interests. Our lawyers are ready to take on the full range of tasks: from pre-trial settlement to defense at meetings. We act quickly, and efficiently, always striving to find the best solution for the client.

FAQ
Specialized law enforcement units investigate white-collar crimes. These may be federal services, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the United States department of justice Europol, tax authorities or national police forces.
Contacting a criminal defense attorney should be done immediately as soon as you learn about the beginning of white collar investigations or receive a notification from law enforcement agencies. Legal assistance is required if you have received a subpoena or document request, your company is under regulatory scrutiny or searches, or you suspect that the actions taken may be misinterpreted as illegal. Timely attraction white collar crime attorneys will protect your rights, minimize risks, and avoid mistakes when interacting with law enforcement agencies.
For effective white-collar criminal defense, you should first follow your lawyer's advise. A qualified lawyer will help you develop a defense strategy, prepare for interrogation, and minimize the risks of prosecution. Do not act on your own, provide information, or participate in interviews without consulting an attorney. Maintain confidentiality and do not discuss the details of the case with partners, colleagues, or friends.
When choosing a white collar crime attorney, you should take into account his experience with similar cases. The best law firms have a track record helping individuals and corporate clients in cases of fraud, corruption, tax crimes, market manipulation or other financial fraud. Check out reviews from other clients and the professional reputation of the lawyer. Choose a lawyer who is willing to clearly explain the details of the case, answer questions promptly, and maintain constant contact with you.