Civil Trial Practice

Commercial Disputes

Attorneys & Law Firms - Professional Liability Defense

Accountant Liability

Cross-Over Cases and Parallel Proceedings

Civil Rights Actions

White Collar Crime &
Related MATTERS

White Collar Crime

Grand Jury Investigations

Public Corruption & Campaign Finance Violations

Securities Fraud & Insider Trading

Government Fraud, Financial Crimes & Antitrust Violations

Criminal Tax

Health Care Fraud

Environmental Crimes

We have developed a unique area of practice in which the underlying or related subject matter in a civil case involves a criminal case or criminal allegations, for example, advising lawyers and accountants in civil litigation about potential criminal issues; conducting civil, criminal and administrative cases involving the same client; handling legal and accounting malpractice cases in which the underlying case was criminal; and assisting clients as witnesses in their relationships with prosecutors.

Example cases include:

Representation of plaintiff in Federal Tort Claims Act case and Bivens case against the United States Government arising out of agents shooting him in his house believing that he was involved in drug smuggling. Achieved settlement of $2.75 million.

Representation of Deputy District Attorney sued on Civil Rights actions for civil damages arising out of allegedly false charges brought against the plaintiff by the District Attorney’s Office.

Defense of several criminal defense lawyers related to allegations of malpractice in the handling of criminal defense cases.

Representation of church in civil action brought by plaintiff after his acquittal on criminal charges arising from allegations by the District Attorney of child molestation at the church.

Representation of a public agency attorney and public agency in defense of a civil lawsuit by a former member of the agency claiming plaintiff was convicted of crimes because of the actions of the public lawyer in providing him advice. See, Chapman v. Superior Court (2005) 130 Cal.App.4th 261.

Representation of businesses that have suffered embezzlement in their internal investigations, civil lawsuits, and in their interactions with prosecutors.

Defense of companies and individuals who have been sued civilly and also charged criminally.

Representation of CPA firms as witnesses where their clients allegedly participated in financial fraud schemes

Printer Friendly Version

COPYRIGHT © 2006 COUGHLAN, SEMMER & LIPMAN LLP