Adam B. Schwartz is a partner in the firm’s Litigation practice. A former federal prosecutor and experienced first-chair trial lawyer, his practice focuses on the representation of multinational corporations, global financial institutions and individuals in criminal and civil regulatory matters, internal investigations, and litigation in state and federal courts. 

Adam has represented companies and individuals in investigations led by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the SEC, the CFTC, FINRA, state attorneys general and regulators, and Congress, involving potential violations of the securities and antitrust laws, the FCPA, the False Claims Act, and export control laws. He has tried more than 40 cases to verdict and argued numerous evidentiary motions and appeals. In addition, Adam frequently works with government contractors and companies operating in the national security industry and under CFIUS mitigation measures, and he has extensive experience advising corporate entities on compliance matters and anti-corruption issues.  

Adam has been recognized by Chambers USA for White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations, The Legal 500, American Lawyer’s Litigators of the Week, Global Investigations Review, and Global Competition Review. Clients describe Adam to Chambers USA and The Legal 500 as “an energetic and zealous advocate,” with “exceptional courtroom skills” and “a ton of connections,” “who pushes hard to get good results for his clients,” and is “able to see the bigger picture” in high-stakes public and confidential matters.

Prior to entering private practice, Adam served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia where he supervised the investigation, indictment, and trial of complex conspiracies, homicides, and matters involving public corruption and racketeering. While with the Department of Justice, he was awarded the Director’s Award and three special achievement awards. Adam was a law clerk for the Honorable Henry E. Hudson in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and an editor of the Virginia Law Review while at the University of Virginia School of Law.

From 2000 to 2004, Adam served as a line officer in the U.S. Navy prior to attending law school. He maintains an active pro bono practice representing fellow veterans in matters related to their veterans benefits and has assisted the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee on several occasions by conducting high-profile independent investigations.

Representative Criminal and Civil Regulatory Investigations

• Global energy company in an investigation by the SEC of a whistleblower’s allegations of FCPA violations in Asia.
• U.S. financial services providers in inquiries by Congress, the SEC, and numerous state attorneys general and regulators related to ESG policies and commitments.
• U.S. financial institution in long-running criminal investigations conducted by the DOJ Antitrust Division and Fraud Section.
• Multiple companies in criminal investigations by U.S. Attorney’s offices and the DOJ National Security Division, and parallel civil investigations, for false claims and export violations.
• DOD officials and government contractors in multiple investigations by a U.S. Attorney’s Office and Inspectors General involving kickbacks and false claims.
• U.S. financial institution in parallel antitrust and fraud investigations conducted by the DOJ Criminal Division, SEC, CFTC, and the Federal Reserve.
• U.S. financial institution in a CFTC investigation related to anti-competitive conduct in the market for swaps.
• Multiple individuals in several FCPA investigations conducted by the DOJ Fraud Section and SEC involving Brazil, India, Mexico, and the U.K. 
• U.S. financial institution in investigations related to sales and trading practices of mortgage-backed securities in the U.S. and U.K. by the DOJ Fraud Section, SEC, and FINRA.
• Former chief of staff and deputy chief of staff to a U.S. cabinet official and presidential candidate in investigations by DOJ and Congress.
• U.S. financial institution in a FINRA investigation of its prime brokerage and the extension of credit to a U.K. hedge fund.
• U.S. financial institution and senior executive in an SEC inquiry related to insider trading.

Internal Investigations

• U.S. issuer in a global internal investigation related to corruption in the sponsorship of professional sports.
• Global energy company in an investigation of potential fraud by senior executives in Africa.
• U.S. issuer in response to a whistleblower allegation of FCPA violations in Turkey.
• U.S. bank in two internal investigations of potential fraud in connection with the performance of government contracts.
• Major U.S. hedge fund investigating a whistleblower’s allegations of trading irregularities and fraud in Hong Kong.
• A U.S. technology company in an internal investigation of potential accounting fraud in Canada.

Civil Litigation

• Defense contractors and shipbuilders in putative antitrust class action alleging unlawful agreements not to "poach" employees in U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Virginia.
• Defense contractor in merger challenge in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
• Defense contractor in putative antitrust class action alleging unlawful agreements not to “poach” employees in U.S. District Court for Southern District of Ohio.
• Midstream firm in a commercial dispute related to natural gas contracts in the U.S. District Courts for the Western District and Southern District of Texas.
• Global oil trading firm against RICO and antitrust allegations in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
• U.S. financial institution in multiple antitrust class actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
• U.S. investment firm in litigation related to a real estate investment in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. 

Speaking Engagements

• “Enforcement – Priorities, Recent Developments and Best Practices,” 30th Annual Securities Litigation and Regulatory Practice CLE (November 16, 2023)
• "How to Effectively Conduct an Internal Investigation: Key Considerations During a Pandemic," The Knowledge Group (January 20, 2021)
• “Lessons Learned: Trying Your First Case,” American Bar Association (June 4, 2020) 
• “Corporate Enforcement During a Pandemic: Perspectives from the Enforcers,” Practicing Law Institute (May 29, 2020)
• Representing Clients in White Collar Criminal Investigations 2019, Bar Association of the District of Columbia (December 4, 2019)
• “Cybersecurity – Threats & Defenses,” Sharenett’s Israel Innovation & Cybersecurity Symposium (October 30, 2019)
• “Uncovering Hidden Agendas: Corporate Governance, Ethics and Conflicts of Interest on Corporate Boards,” Thomson Reuters’ Corporate Risk, Ethics & Compliance Forum (September 26, 2019)