"The entire [Litigation] team provides outstanding legal services."
Client comments from the Chambers USA 2021 Guide
Today’s clients face increasing criminal and regulatory risks. Calfee’s White-Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice offers a coordinated approach to addressing those risks and providing sound strategies for defense and mitigation in times of urgency and stress.
Whether parallel civil and criminal actions, internal or external investigations, additional regulatory oversight, disclosure requirements, governance and compliance issues, insurance coverage, crisis management or business judgment, Calfee’s White-Collar Defense and Government Investigations team has the experience and judgment to provide constructive counsel no matter where the process leads.
Led by attorneys who have spearheaded defensive investigations and responses throughout their careers, the team also includes both securities and governance attorneys with experience representing businesses, issuers, underwriters, shareholder groups, directors and officers and public bodies, as well as trial lawyers experienced in complex, bet-the-bank civil litigation and criminal trials.
Chambers USA Band 3 Ranking in Litigation: General Commercial (Ohio)
For well over a decade, our Litigation group and individual litigation attorneys have been ranked and recognized by Chambers USA. In 2021, Chambers USA researchers noted that the team "Frequently advises on plaintiff and defense-side commercial litigation matters, offering considerable strengths in securities, product liability, antitrust and construction disputes. Also offers experience in criminal litigation, defending a range of individuals and businesses facing regulatory enforcement actions. Acts for clients in sectors including healthcare, financial services and manufacturing."
A client interviewed by Chambers USA researchers commented, "The entire team provides outstanding legal services." Another adds, "The team as a whole is fantastic."
Litigation Partner and leader of the White-Collar Defense and Investigations practice, Fritz E. Berckmueller, has been ranked by Chambers USA 2021 in Band 2 for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations - Ohio. Chambers USA researchers stated, "Head of department Fritz Berckmueller is well regarded for his expertise in white-collar work. He acts for clients in a range of matters including FCA investigations, whistleblower claims and investigations into bribery and corruption." A client interviewed by Chambers USA researchers mentioned, "[Fritz] is very easy to work with - he's accessible, responsive, smart and capable. He's always on top of his game."
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2022 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in numerous Litigation practice areas.
Benchmark Litigation Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2022 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution and as a Recommended Law Firm in Labor and Employment Litigation in Ohio. Additionally, 14 of Calfee's Litigation attorneys have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Local Litigation Stars in Ohio" and as “40 & Under Hot List Honorees in the Midwest.”
Compliance
Many clients choose to minimize risks by implementing governance and compliance initiatives such as periodic risk assessments, compliance and process investigations, policy and coverage audits, and similar initiatives. Calfee’s attorneys have a long record of assisting clients in developing these initiatives – for example, in FCPA and health care – and in using the results when necessary in the subsequent defense of regulatory, civil and criminal proceedings.
Enforcement and Investigations
Clients also have to respond when the government or others raise threats of civil, regulatory or criminal actions. Calfee regularly counsels boards, board committees and businesspeople in addressing all aspects of such scrutiny, including regulatory and criminal inquiries, internal investigations, criminal and civil trials, insurance coverage disputes, conflict and privilege issues, and agency cooperation considerations. We draw on this experience to help our clients navigate the risks and arrive at the best possible outcome for the ongoing success of the business or the individual.
A Midwest firm with extensive and established national practices in highly regulated industries and activities, Calfee is efficient, cost-effective, disciplined in its approach and focused on the long-term health, continuing success, and financial security of our clients' businesses.
"The entire [Litigation] team provides outstanding legal services."
Client comments from the Chambers USA 2021 Guide