Jan 2005–Present
Current role
Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense; Shareholder
Carlton Fields
Tampa, Florida
Attorney
About
Adam Schwartz concentrates his practice on white collar criminal defense, False Claims Act (qui tam/whistleblower) defense, health care fraud and abuse matters, and OFAC sanctions compliance and licensing. He represents individuals and corporations in internal investigations, securities and accounting fraud, asset forfeiture, defense contractor fraud, money laundering, corporate compliance, grand jury practice and procedure, and complex civil fraud defense. He advises clients on BSA/AML and Patriot Act compliance and defends bank officers and directors in FDIC litigation.
Adam advises pharmaceutical wholesalers on regulatory compliance laws including the Drug Quality and Security Act and the Drug Supply Chain Security Act.
Prior to joining the firm, Adam prosecuted money laundering and asset forfeiture matters as an assistant U.S. attorney with the Eastern District of New York.
Adam speaks regularly before other practitioners on topics ranging from health care fraud to attorney-client privilege considerations during internal investigation. He has been co-chair of the American Bar Association White Collar Crime Subcommittee for the Florida Region since 2007. Adam chairs the firm's White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice.
Roles
Jan 2003–Jan 2005
Former role
Assistant US Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture
New York Eastern District
Prosecutor
Prosecuted Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture cases
Jan 1996–Dec 2003
Former role
Attorney
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Attorney
Recognition
Honors
AV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
April 2025
LinkThe Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Qui Tam Law (2021–2025)
Best Laywers
January 2021
LinkFlorida Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers Magazine
January 2019
LinkChambers USA
Chambers
January 2024
LinkFlorida Legal Elite
Florida Trend Magazine
April 2017
Judicial appearances & decision makers
Defended real estate developer and real estate development company in criminal environmental investigation. Case closed with no charges filed.
Defended service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) in criminal antitrust investigation alleging collusion. Case closed with no charges filed.
United States v. HPC Healthcare, Inc., 723 F. App’x 783 (11th Cir. 2018). The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed dismissal with prejudice of a qui tam action brought against our client for the alleged fraudulent submission of medical billing to Medicare and Medicaid. The Eleventh Circuit agreed that the plaintiff had failed to plead detailed allegations sufficient to satisfy the applicable standards under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b).
United States v. Advanced Anesthesia. False Claims Act complaint dismissed with prejudice.
Markland v. Insys Therapeutics, Inc. Plaintiff’s complaint dismissed with prejudice on federal preemption.
Defended physician in FDA investigation regarding an experimental drug. No charges filed.
Defended construction company in NASA criminal investigation. No charges filed.
Wellcare of Fla., Inc. v. Total Physician Sols., Inc. Awarded $1.8 million in arbitration.
Publications & speeches
Adam Schwartz Quoted in Law360: “FCPA 'Purgatory' Frustrates White Collar Bar, Anxious Clients”
law360
January 2024
LinkAdam Schwartz Quoted in Law360: “The 3 Biggest White-Collar Enforcement Buzzwords of 2023”
law360
January 2024
LinkCarlton Fields Ranks Among Best in Chambers USA 2021 Guide
Carlton Fields
May 2021
LinkAsst. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Singh Johannes Joins Carlton Fields in Miami
Carlton Fields
January 2021
LinkAmerican Health Law Association’s Podcast “Speaking of Health Law” Features White Collar Attorney Adam Schwartz
Carlton Fields
July 2020
Link"The Umbrella of Secrecy: Essential Guidelines of Confidentiality, Attorney-Client Privilege, and Work Product,"
MyLawCLE, Federal Bar Association
January 2023
“Attorney-Client Privilege and Work Product Doctrine for In-House Counsel: Engaging Third-Party Consultants and Confidentiality of Internal Investigations,” (November 20, 2024)
MyLawCLE
November 2024
“Cross Border Privilege Issues,”
ABA Southeastern White Collar Institute — Braselton, Georgia
September 2024
“Privileged Material in Audits and Investigations: Protecting Attorney-Client Communication and Work Product,”
Strafford CLE
April 2021
"When the Government Comes Knocking: Managing Investigations of Senior Executives, Protecting Privilege, and Navigating Ethical Dilemmas,"
Association of Corporate Counsel CLO/GC Corporate Counsel Joint Symposium — Orlando, Florida
November 2023