White Collar Defense & Investigations

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DOJ & HHS Announce FCA Working Group to Implement Enforcement Priorities [Alert]

James Mahady, Nicole Sprinzen, Arthur Fritzinger, and Kurt Lunkenheimer discuss DOJ & HHS' newly formed False Claims Act Working Group.

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White collar defense is all about delivering results when the stakes are high. Companies, boards, special committees, and individuals engage Cozen O’Connor’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice to navigate their most serious inquiries. Whether managing an internal report of potential misconduct or a full-blown government investigation, our team is efficient, responsive, discrete — and, most importantly, effective.

360-Degree Perspective

Cozen O’Connor lawyers bring a critical perspective to every case. Our White Collar Group includes former federal prosecutors from large U.S. Attorney offices; a former deputy chief of the Civil Division of the District of Columbia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office; former federal prosecutors (and supervisory prosecutors) with DOJ and SEC; former state and local prosecutors; and a former assistant federal public defender.

Our practitioners have been on both sides of the table, so they know how white collar cases are built — and how they can be dismantled.

Government Enforcement

The goal for clients facing a government investigation is quite simple: prevent prosecution. Cozen O’Connor is exceptionally skillful at maintaining that focus. Having worked in government and formed professional relationships with government officials, our attorneys are able to identify persuasive arguments, narrow the scope of inquiries, limit exposure, and negotiate favorable resolutions.

In the rare event that prosecution is unavoidable, Cozen O’Connor’s team of veteran trial lawyers stands ready to vindicate our clients in court. Our attorneys have collectively tried hundreds of cases, both as defense attorneys and as prosecutors.

Internal Investigations

Cozen O’Connor regularly conducts complex internal investigations on behalf of corporate clients and is recognized by Global Investigations Review as one of the world’s top 100 investigations practices.

Our attorneys lead comprehensive investigations with speed. We set priorities, judge witness credibility, make factual findings, and help clients understand their potential exposure. In the end, we offer clients actionable, jargon-free advice, including whether to discipline rogue actors, self-report misconduct, revamp compliance mechanisms, or take other remedial protective measures.

Similarly, Cozen O’Connor provides sophisticated preventative compliance advice outside the context of an internal investigation.

Experienced Counsel

Over decades of practice, the team has accrued extensive subject-matter knowledge, including in the areas of criminal antitrust, international anti-corruption, trade sanction, False Claims Act, health care fraud and financial fraud statutes. Cozen O’Connor directs client strategy in the context of inquiries, investigations, and enforcement actions by federal, state, and local authorities, including DOJ, SEC, FTC, CFTC, executive agency inspector generals, U.S. attorneys, state attorneys general, and the U.S. Congress. 

Cozen O'Connor is very strategic and effective in how it manages cross-border issues on behalf of its clients... Always aware of current events and their potential implications.
Chambers USA 2023
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Experience

Publications

DOJ & HHS Announce FCA Working Group to Implement Enforcement Priorities [Alert]

July 03, 2025

James Mahady, Nicole Sprinzen, Arthur Fritzinger, and Kurt Lunkenheimer discuss DOJ & HHS' newly formed False Claims Act Working Group.

Thompson May Give Defendants New Tools to Fight False Claims Act Charges [Alert]

June 24, 2025

Arthur Fritzinger, James Mahady, and Calli Padilla discuss the recent Thompson Supreme Court ruling, which may help resolve the circuit split on the Anti-Kickback Statute.

Whistleblower Watch Spring 2025

June 24, 2025

A quarterly update on FCA Enforcement and Qui Tam Litigation from Arthur Fritzinger and Calli Padilla.

DOJ Restarts Enforcement of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Focusing on U.S. Interests [Alert]

June 11, 2025

Kurt Lunkenheimer discusses the DOJ's resumed enforcement of the FCPA under new guidelines, prioritizing cases that harm U.S. competitiveness or national security.

DOJ Establishes Civil Rights Fraud Initiative Targeting Corporate DEI Programs and Antisemitism [Alert]

May 21, 2025

The White Collar team discusses the DOJ's new Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which leverages the False Claims Act to combat discrimination by federal fund recipients.

US Supreme Court Addresses State Laws Banning Gender-Affirming Health Care

April 29, 2025

Stephen Miller, an attorney in Cozen O’Connor's Commercial Litigation department, and Daniel Goldfield, an associate in the firm’s Philadelphia office, authored an article for the Legal Intelligencer discussing the upcoming Supreme Court decision in United States v. Skrmetti.

US Supreme Court Addresses the Protection of Online Minors [The Legal Intelligencer]

February 27, 2025

Stephen Miller, an attorney in Cozen O’Connor's Commercial Litigation group, and Paul Harryhill, an associate in the firm’s Philadelphia office, authored an article for the Legal Intelligencer discussing the First Amendment implications of a pending Supreme Court decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton.

U.S. Dials Back Implementation of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [Alert]

February 13, 2025

Kurt. K. Lunkenheimer discusses President Trump's executive order instructing the DOJ to cease new FCPA investigations and enforcement and why multinational corporations should continue to maintain anti-corruption and anti-money laundering compliance programs, including whistleblower programs.

AG Memorandum Instructs DOJ to Investigate and Eliminate Illegal DEI Initiatives in Light of EO 14173 [Alert]

February 12, 2025

Larry Prosen, Magdalena Filipiuk, Eric Leonard, and Nicole Sprinzen discuss President Trump's executive orders involving DEI and Attorney General Bondi's memorandum to the DOJ on investigating and penalizing illegal DEI initiatives.

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Events & Seminars

Past Events

Latin American Summit

June 10, 2025 - New York, NY
[+] [View All Events]

In The News

The 5 Big Enforcement Trends White Collar Attys Must Know [Law360]

June 25, 2025

Nicole Sprinzen, vice chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations group, spoke with Law360 about the changes in white collar enforcement that have taken place over the past six months.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs Prosecutors Show Evidence of Abuse and Instances of Consent [Reuters]

June 23, 2025

As prosecutors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial are about to rest their case, defense is getting ready to make its own case to the jury. Sarah Krissoff, a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, spoke with Reuters about the defense strategy, noting that Combs’ lawyers will likely highlight instances where the women were willing participants.

Sarah Krissoff Speaks with CNN’s Laura Coates about Combs Trial

June 17, 2025

Sarah Krissoff, a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, appeared on CNN’s Laura Coates Live show on June 17 to discuss an explosive testimony by a key witness’s friend.

Sarah Krissoff Appears on CNN to Talk About Diddy Trial Updates

June 17, 2025

As the sex-trafficking trial of hip-hop star Sean “Diddy” Combs resumes, Sarah Krissoff, a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, appeared on CNN’s News Central show on June 17 to discuss the latest witness testimonies.

Diddy is Building a 'Consensual Sex' Defense. Ex-prosecutors Say it's His Best Shot. [Bus. Insider]

June 15, 2025

Sarah Krissoff, a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, spoke with the Business Insider about the defense case in the Sean "Diddy" Combs sex-trafficking trial.

Sarah Krissoff Speaks with BBC about Verdict in Weinstein Criminal Retrial

June 12, 2025

Sarah Krissoff, a member of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, appeared on a BBC News program on June 12 to discuss the split verdict in a criminal retrial in of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein in New York.

U.S. Bribery Enforcement May Be Back, But Proof Will Come in Caseload, Observers Say [MLex]

June 11, 2025

Nicole Sprinzen, Vice Chair of the White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, spoke with MLex about the U.S. Justice Department’s new guidance for investigations and enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, released on June 10, 2025.

Nadine Menendez Says Counsel Shake-Up Erases Conviction [Law360]

June 09, 2025

This Law30 articles discusses a motion filed in the case of U.S. v. Menendez, in which Nadine Menendez, wife of former Senator Robert Menendez, “asked a Manhattan federal judge to vacate the jury's guilty verdict in her bribery case, arguing that her Sixth Amendment rights were violated when she was denied her choice of legal representation.”

Cozen O’Connor Lawyers and Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2025 Guide

June 05, 2025

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 98 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2025 edition.

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Contacts

Barry Boss

Co-Chair, Commercial Litigation Department
Co-Chair, White Collar Defense & Investigations

bboss@cozen.com

(202) 912-4818

Stephen A. Miller

Co-Chair, White Collar Defense & Investigations

samiller@cozen.com

(215) 665-4736

Nicole H. Sprinzen

Vice Chair, White Collar Defense & Investigations

nsprinzen@cozen.com

(202) 471-3451

People

Awards

36 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 02, 2025

Selection to Super Lawyers is based on peer nominations and evaluations are combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Cozen O’Connor Promotes 31 Attorneys to Member and Senior Principal

March 20, 2025

“It’s always a pleasure to recognize the hard work and dedication of our attorneys and government relations professionals,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Heller. “This outstanding class of new members and senior principals will undoubtedly propel Cozen O’Connor’s ongoing success.”

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 31 Practice Areas Nationwide, 54 Practice Areas Regionally

November 07, 2024

In 2024, Best Lawyers received more than 100,000 client references and observed a 65% increase in client participation in their survey.

31 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 11, 2024

Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5 percent of attorneys are named Super Lawyers; only 2.5 percent of attorneys are listed as Rising Stars.

Nearly 100 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 27 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2024 Guide

June 10, 2024

Chambers USA rankings are based on an “assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.” In order to be ranked in the guide, lawyers and firms must demonstrate “sustained excellence.”

Best Lawyers Honors More Than 200 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys to its Best Lawyers in America 2024 Edition

August 17, 2023

Best Lawyers selected 230 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 24 of the firm’s U.S. offices for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

Eighty-eight Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 23 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2023 Guide

June 05, 2023

Of the 88 lawyers ranked, 17 lawyers have been recognized nationally, and eighteen were recognized in Band 1. Eight of the firm's practice areas have been recognized nationally, and nine were ranked Band 1.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 Practice Areas Nationwide, 115 Practice Areas Regionally

November 30, 2022

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 30 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.

21 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

October 03, 2022

Super Lawyers has named 21 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2022 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

13 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named 2022 D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

July 12, 2022

Super Lawyers has named 13 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2022 Washington D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Chambers Ranks 86 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 22 Practice Areas in Chambers USA 2022 Guide

June 02, 2022

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 86 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2022 edition.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 29 Practice Areas Nationwide, 121 Practice Areas Regionally

November 04, 2021

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 29 practice areas nationwide and 121 practice areas regionally.

Stephen Cozen and Stephen Miller Recognized as 2021 Best of the Bar Honorees by The Philadelphia Business Journal

October 06, 2021

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce that the Philadelphia Business Journal will honor Stephen Cozen and Stephen Miller at its fifth annual Best of the Bar Awards.

Super Lawyers Recognizes 17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys in New York

October 04, 2021

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its 2021 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

More Than 205 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 19, 2021

Best Lawyers selected 210 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

47 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 28, 2021

Super Lawyers has selected 47 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

82 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 19 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2021 Guide

May 26, 2021

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 82 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2021 edition; of those, 15 lawyers have been recognized nationally.

Twelve Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 05, 2021

Super Lawyers has named 12 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2021 Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized as a “Best Law Firm” in 25 Practice Areas Nationwide, 115 Practice Areas Regionally

November 05, 2020

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recognized Cozen O’Connor as a “Best Law Firm” in 25 practice areas nationwide and 115 practice areas regionally.

Cozen O’Connor’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice Named to Global Investigations Review’s 2020 GIR 100 List

November 03, 2020

Global Investigation Review (GIR) has unveiled its 2020 list of the top global investigations practices and named Cozen O’Connor’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice to its GIR 100 list for the fifth year in a row.

200 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named Best Lawyers and Ones to Watch By The Best Lawyers In America

August 20, 2020

Best Lawyers selected 200 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 23 of the firm’s nationwide offices for inclusion in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© (Copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, SC).

Fifty-Eight Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

June 05, 2020

Super Lawyers has selected 58 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

63 Cozen O’Connor Lawyers, 16 Practices Earn Top Recognition in Chambers USA 2020 Guide

May 14, 2020

Chambers USA, the leading annual guide to the top lawyers and law firms in the United States, has ranked 63 Cozen O’Connor lawyers as leaders in their respective fields in the guide’s 2020 edition.

Cozen O’Connor Recognized As a Best Law Firm in 24 Practice Areas Nationwide, 106 Practice Areas Regionally

November 05, 2019

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.

17 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Recognized as New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

September 27, 2019

Super Lawyers has named 17 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to its 2019 New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.

138 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 28, 2019

Best Lawyers selected 138 Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 21 of the firm’s national offices for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

64 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

May 21, 2019

Super Lawyers has selected 64 Cozen O'Connor attorneys to the 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

13 Cozen O'Connor Attorneys Recognized as Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

April 25, 2019

The 2019 Washington, D.C, edition of Super Lawyers Magazine, published by Thomson Reuters, has named 13 Cozen O’Connor attorneys to its list of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

125 Cozen O’Connor Attorneys Named to the Best Lawyers in America

August 22, 2018

One hundred twenty-five Cozen O’Connor lawyers from 20 of the firm’s national offices have been selected for inclusion in the 2018 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

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