Connect with people who have actually picked juries, examined witnesses, and tried cases.
Litigation & Trial
Courtroom Experience Is the Scarce Commodity
Most civil cases settle and most criminal cases plead, so people who have genuinely tried cases to verdict are rarer every year. Below: the prosecutors, agency trial attorneys, and judges who did.
Members in this practice area
Litigation & Trial
Showing 1–24 of 153
Ranked by relevance to Litigation & Trial from verified member profiles.
Stephen J. Obermeier
✓Verified3 years of government experience
Litigation and Appellate Practice at Wiley Rein LLP
AI SummaryStephen J. Obermeier served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, specializing in civil litigation, criminal law, and appellate litigation. His current roles in commercial litigation, appellate litigation, and investigations suit him for complex legal challenges.
Current
Partner, Litigation and Appellate Practice Wiley Rein LLP
Civil LitigationHearings and Appeals
Former Government
Assistant United States AttorneyU.S. Attorney’s Office
Civil LitigationFederal Government
Practice Areas
Litigation & TrialCommercial LitigationFalse Claims Act, Qui Tam, & Whistleblower Defense+1
AI SummaryFormer Assistant Chief in DOJ Fraud Section and Senior Counsel at SEC, specializing in securities fraud and anti-corruption, now leading internal investigations and advising on white collar crime. Served as Acting Inspector General for WMATA, overseeing audits and investigations.
Trial Lawyer | Government & Internal Investigations
AI SummaryVanessa Singh Johannes served as an AUSA for the Southern District of Florida for a decade, specializing in complex criminal and civil matters. Her experience in federal jury trials and investigations suits her for roles in complex litigation and compliance.
AI SummaryServed as law clerk for U.S. District Court; specializes in corporate compliance, investigations, and defense against government enforcement actions.
Current
Adjunct ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin Law School
ProfessorEducation
Former Government
Law ClerkU.S. District Court
Law ClerkCivil Litigation
Practice Areas
InvestigationsFalse Claims Act, Qui Tam, & Whistleblower DefenseLitigation & Trial+1
Global Co-Chair WhiteCollar Defense and Corp. Investigation
AI SummaryMark Racanelli served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for five years, specializing in white collar crime and criminal law. His experience in litigation, corporate investigations, and regulatory enforcement suits him for roles in white collar crime, corporate law, and securities law.
AI SummaryLisa Noller served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago, specializing in civil and criminal prosecutions. Her expertise in healthcare litigation and white-collar defense suits her for roles in complex fraud and regulatory matters.
Current
Litigation Department ChairFoley & Lardner LLP
Civil LitigationLegal
Former Government
Deputy ChiefU.S. Attorney’s Office
Civil LitigationFederal Government
Practice Areas
Litigation & TrialFalse Claims Act, Qui Tam, & Whistleblower DefenseBusiness Litigation+1
Sectors
Food SafetyHealthcare & Public HealthGovernment Services+1
AI SummaryLukman Azeez served as a law clerk for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is a Litigation Partner at Wiley Rein LLP, specializing in commercial disputes, constitutional law, and appellate litigation.
Current
Litigation PartnerWiley Rein LLP
Civil LitigationTechnology
Former Government
Law Clerk Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
AI SummaryServed nearly seven years as an Assistant US Attorney in the Major Frauds Section, specializing in healthcare fraud and complex financial crimes. Experienced in corporate investigations, white collar defense, and regulatory enforcement, adept at navigating complex civil litigation and False Claims Act matters.
Current
PartnerPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
AttorneyCivil Litigation
Former Government
Assistant United States AttorneyU.S. Attorney’s Office
AI SummaryFormer clerk for Justice John Paul Stevens and Judge Stephen Reinhardt, and extern for Judge Sonia Sotomayor. Current appellate specialist and litigator, advising on critical motions and complex legal issues.
Current
PartnerPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
AttorneyAttorney Advisor
Former Government
ExternCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit
ResearchLegal Assistant
Practice Areas
Class ActionsCybersecurity California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)+1
Sectors
Government ServicesTechnologyConsumer Goods & Services+1
White collar and finance-related investigations & litigation
AI SummaryRebecca Mermelstein served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for over a decade, specializing in white-collar crime and finance-related investigations, which suits her current role as a partner in white-collar and finance-related investigations and litigation.
AI SummaryWesley E. Weeks served as a law clerk for the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is an intellectual property litigator for pharmaceutical and technology companies.
Partner, Healthcare Ind. Prac. Chair at Barnes and Thornburg
AI SummaryFormer federal prosecutor and partner at Barnes and Thornburg, specializing in healthcare fraud, compliance, and white-collar defense.
Current
Adjunct Law School Professor American University Washington College of Law
Professor
Former Government
Assistant Chief for Health Care FraudU.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Civil LitigationFederal Government
Practice Areas
Healthcare RegulatoryWhite Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsInvestigations+1
Sectors
Healthcare & Public HealthLife SciencesLegal
Washington | New York, District of ColumbiaView Profile →
Jeffrey P. Metzler
✓Verified11 years of government experience
Partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
AI SummaryServed as Acting General Counsel for NYC Council and Assistant Solicitor General for NY State; specializes in litigation, compliance, and government investigations.
AI SummaryBill Martin served as Senior Counsel in the SEC's Market Abuse Unit, specializing in securities law, FCPA, and cybersecurity. His roles in private practice and government highlight expertise in financial services, regulatory investigations, and litigation.
Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations Litigation
AI SummaryFormer Assistant US Attorney, now advising on government investigations and litigation, specializing in white-collar crime and complex civil litigation.
Current
Litigation Department Co-Chair / PartnerO'Melveny & Myers LLP
AI SummarySharon Bunzel served as an Assistant US Attorney, overseeing complex investigations. She specializes in white-collar defense, corporate investigations, and compliance programs.
AI SummaryServed as a trial attorney in the US Department of Justice and special assistant US Attorney; specializes in white-collar criminal defense, securities law, and corporate litigation.
Current
PartnerO'Melveny
Civil LitigationSecurities Law
Former Government
Trial AttorneyU.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Legal AssistanceGovernment
Practice Areas
Securities Litigation & EnforcementGovernment Law & ConsultingIntellectual Property Litigation+1
AI SummaryBenjamin D. Singer served as Chief of the DOJ's Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit, specializing in complex corporate fraud and cross-border cases; his expertise suits roles in white-collar crime and government investigations.
Current
PartnerO'Melveny & Myers LLP
AttorneyCivil Litigation
Former Government
Chief, Assistant Chief, Trial AttorneyU.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Security and Law EnforcementHealthcare & Medical
Practice Areas
Law Enforcement CoordinationFalse Claims Act, Qui Tam, & Whistleblower DefenseCorporate Law+1
Sectors
Healthcare & Public HealthHealth ServicesAuto Manufacturers
Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations Lawyer
AI SummaryChristopher Swift served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and specializes in national security, international law, and trade-related issues.
Current
Adjunct Professor of National Security StudiesGeorgetown University
Teacher / Professor
Former Government
International Law FellowCommission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
Practice Areas
Business LitigationAdministrative Litigation & AppealsLaw & Religion+1
Sectors
Securities, Commodity Contracts, & Other Financial Investments & Related ActivitiesGovernment ServicesBusiness & Finance+1
Partner, Financial and Regulatory Litigation Group Co-Chair
AI SummaryMichelle Bradford served as an Assistant United States Attorney, specializing in criminal law and prosecution. Her expertise in white-collar crime and complex litigation suits her for roles in financial and regulatory litigation.
Current
Adjunct ProfessorGeorgetown University Law Center
Professor
Former Government
Assistant United States AttorneyU.S. Attorney’s Office
Criminal LawProsecutor
Practice Areas
White Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsLitigation & TrialSecurities Transactions & Compliance+1
Sectors
Healthcare & Public HealthFinancial Data & Stock ExchangesBusiness & Finance+1
Partner and Deputy General Counsel at Wiley Rein LLP
AI SummaryRichard A. Simpson served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, specializing in civil and quasi-criminal matters.
Current
Adjunct ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina School of Law
Education, Curriculum and TeachingProfessor
Former Government
Assistant U.S. AttorneyU.S. District Court
Litigation Support SpecialistAppellate Litigation
Practice Areas
Litigation & TrialWhite Collar Crime & Government InvestigationsInsurance Litigation+1
AI SummaryThomas M. Johnson, Jr. served as General Counsel at the FCC, managing a team of over 70 attorneys. His expertise includes appellate litigation, administrative law, and communications law, making him well-suited for regulatory and high-stakes litigation matters.
Current
Partner & Co-Chair, Appellate PracticeWiley Rein LLP
Environmental LawCivil Litigation
Former Government
Deputy Solicitor GeneralAttorney General, Office of
White Collar, Cyber, Sentencing (Empirical Justice)
AI SummaryMichael Yaeger served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, specializing in white collar crime and cybersecurity. His expertise in government investigations and compliance suits him for roles in cybersecurity and white collar crime defense.
White Collar & Internal Investigations Attorney at O'Melveny
AI SummaryMichele Wein Layne served as the SEC's Los Angeles Regional Director for eleven years, specializing in securities law and enforcement. She now practices white-collar and internal investigations at O'Melveny & Myers LLP.
Current
Of CounselO'Melveny & Myers LLP
AttorneySecurities
Former Government
Regional Director / Associate Regional Director / Assistant Regional Director / Branch Chief, Staff Attorney / Staff Attorney, EnforcementSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Funds, Trusts, & Other Financial VehiclesFinancial Data & Stock ExchangesSecurities, Commodity Contracts, & Other Financial Investments & Related Activities+1
When settlement fails, the difference between litigators and trial lawyers becomes visible fast. People who spent careers in courtrooms bring judgment on trial strategy, order of proof, and cross-examination that motion practice alone never teaches.
Mock Trials & Jury Research
Testing a case before a surrogate jury exposes weaknesses while there's still time to fix them. A former prosecutor or judge as evaluator brings the perspective of someone who has watched hundreds of juries react.
Expert Witness Testimony
An expert's credibility under cross-examination decides whether their opinion survives, and Daubert challenges filter out those who can't defend their methods. Former government experts arrive with credentials opposing counsel struggle to dent.
Settle or Try: Risk Assessment
Valuing a case honestly requires knowing how it will actually play in court. Someone who has picked juries through voir dire and read verdicts for a living gives a settlement number real foundations.
Arbitration & Mediation
Parties choosing a neutral want authority both sides respect. Former judges and senior government litigators serve as arbitrators and mediators whose case management carries courtroom weight.
Appellate Risk & Preservation
Trial wins evaporate when errors aren't preserved, and appellate strategy starts before the verdict. Former appellate lawyers and judicial clerks read trial records the way reviewing courts will.
Backgrounds
Where This Expertise Comes From
US Attorneys' Offices
Federal prosecutors try more cases than almost anyone in the profession, criminal and civil. Former Assistant US Attorneys map to trial strategy, witness examination, and jury judgment.
DOJ Litigating Divisions
The Civil, Antitrust, Tax, and Environment Divisions field career trial attorneys in complex federal litigation. They map to class actions, multidistrict litigation, and disputes involving the government itself.
Former Judges
Federal and state judges presided over the cases others argue about. They map to arbitration, mediation, mock-trial evaluation, and candid assessments of how a bench will read your motion.
State Prosecutors & Attorneys General
District attorneys' offices and state attorney general trial bureaus carry enormous courtroom caseloads. Former state trial lawyers map to jury research, criminal exposure, and state-court strategy.
Military JAG Trial Counsel
Judge advocates prosecute and defend courts-martial from early in their careers. They map to examination craft and trying cases on compressed timelines.
SEC & FTC Trial Units
Agency trial counsel litigate enforcement actions against sophisticated defense teams. They map to expert-heavy financial litigation and administrative proceedings.
Federal Defenders
Public defenders try more federal criminal cases than nearly any private practitioner. Former defenders map to cross-examination and defense-side trial strategy.
Why It Matters
Verdicts Are Earned in the Details
Reading transcripts teaches doctrine; standing up in front of a jury teaches judgment. Browse the ranked professionals above and reach out directly to the courtroom background your matter needs.
FAQs
Working With These Professionals
Why add a former prosecutor or judge to my trial team?
They've stood where your judge and opposing counsel stand. As consultants they pressure-test strategy, evaluate witnesses, and flag what a jury will punish — without disturbing your existing team.
When should I reach out — before or after filing?
The earlier the better — case assessment and settle-or-try judgment pay most before positions harden, and jury research needs runway before trial.
Why choose a former judge as an arbitrator or mediator?
They've managed dockets, ruled on the same disputes, and carry an authority that keeps proceedings disciplined. Parties also tend to accept outcomes from a neutral with a judicial record.
What does a former government expert witness add?
Their experience was earned running the systems in dispute rather than opining about them, which survives cross-examination and Daubert scrutiny better than purely academic credentials.
Can these professionals help without appearing in court?
Yes — much of the work is behind the scenes: case assessment, witness preparation, jury research, deposition and e-discovery strategy, and settlement valuation.
How do I engage someone listed here?
Profiles link directly to each member's contact details — no intermediary, no fee. Pick the courtroom background that fits your dispute.
Join Former Gov
Tried Cases for the Government?
Counsel and companies searching this page need people who've stood up in court. Join the directory so they can find you directly.
