
Christopher F. Regan
Partner
Biography
For more than 25 years, Chris Regan has successfully represented corporations and their C-suite executives in complex criminal and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement matters. He also has significant experience handling the often parallel and related class action and other civil or administrative litigation at both the state and federal levels.
A Partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Buckley LLP, Mr. Regan has represented numerous individual defendants in parallel proceedings involving the Department of Justice (DOJ), the SEC, and state attorneys general investigations, as well as administrative and/or regulatory enforcement litigation with agencies such as the Office of Fair Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).
Mr. Regan’s broad range of experience includes conducting internal investigations and the defense of criminal and/or grand jury investigations involving accounting fraud, disclosure issues, internal controls and corporate governance, tax fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, antitrust violations, mail and wire fraud, theft of trade secrets, and a wide array of environmental crimes. He has been involved in all aspects of the SEC’s enforcement program including the Wells process and the emerging issues surrounding the agency’s whistleblower programs and employee protections thereunder.
He has had a role in some of the most significant litigation in the past decade, including:
- Leading the Buckley litigation team in the representation of the Navajo Nation in a landmark lawsuit alleging that the U.S. had breached its historical fiduciary obligations by failing to manage, invest, and account for tribal trust funds and resources under the custody and control of the U.S. in a manner that would maximize the financial return from those assets. The firm secured $554 million settlement on behalf of its client, the largest settlement obtained in any action by a single Native American tribe against the U.S.
- Representation of numerous Volkswagen executives and employees in the ongoing criminal and civil litigation related to the certification and sale of diesel engines in the United States
- Representation of a former executive of an international bank in an ongoing DOJ investigation of LIBOR manipulation
- Representation of the former CFO of publicly traded timber company in an SEC investigation into certain accounting and disclosure issues resulting in no charges being brought against the client
- Representation of the former Chief Compliance Officer of a publicly traded technology company in an ongoing SEC investigation related to accounting issues and corporate governance
- Representation of the former Vice President of Revenue Accounting and other employees of a publicly traded data analytics company in an ongoing SEC/DOJ investigation into accounting and disclosure issues
- Representation of the former Chief Operating Officer of a publicly traded engine manufacturing company in an ongoing SEC/DOJ investigation into accounting and disclosure issues
- Representation of a former CEO of microcap companies in an ongoing investigation into promotional activities for certain microcap stocks
- Representation of the former Controller at Fannie Mae in parallel SEC, OFHEO, and pending class action derivative litigation, resulting in no SEC charges, a no admission of liability settlement with OFHEO, a complete vindication on summary judgment in the class action litigation, and contempt findings against OFHEO being upheld by the D.C. Circuit as a result of OFHEO’s e-discovery violations
- Representation of an individual in the FCPA “Gabon Sting Case” ultimately resulting in the dismissal of all charges by the DOJ. Assisted the trial team before and during an 18-week criminal jury trial
- Representation of a former executive of Freddie Mac in a securities fraud investigation by the SEC regarding financial disclosures of mortgage losses, resulting in the staff’s decision not to recommend an enforcement action
- Representation of numerous AOL/Time Warner executives in parallel grand jury, SEC, and class action litigation involving allegations of accounting fraud, resulting in no charges against any client and the dismissal of the class action litigation against the former AOL president on jurisdictional grounds
- Representation of Major League Baseball players during Congressional Hearings and Investigations regarding the use of performance enhancing drugs (HGH, Steroids)
- Representation of a senior foreign national executive and other employees of global oil company in the civil and criminal investigations related to an incident in the Gulf of Mexico
- Representation of foreign and domestic nationals in DOJ antitrust investigations of the auto parts industry resulting in no charges being brought against our client
His environmental practice ranges from conducting internal investigations to trial defense, with a strong focus on the unique suspension and debarment issues that arise under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) program. In addition to his civil and criminal enforcement experience, Mr. Regan is proficient with lender liability issues, environmental due diligence, toxic tort ligation, superfund cost recovery and contribution actions, and compliance planning for environmental health and safety issues.
Mr. Regan's environmental experience includes:
- Representation of senior Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) executives in DOJ criminal investigations of electroplating, textile, and power generation facilities
- Representation of a senior executive of W.R. Grace indicted in the largest environmental case brought by the DOJ/EPA. Assisted the trial team before and during the 12-week criminal trial, resulting in an acquittal for our client on all charges
- Representation of a cruise line, commercial vessels, a construction company, and an international food producer before the EPA’s Suspension and Debarment Division. Negotiated an administrative agreement with the EPA’s Suspension and Debarment Official (SDO) to resolve all automatic debarment issues associated with criminal plea agreements
Mr. Regan is recognized in Chambers as a Recognized Practitioner in D.C. White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, in Legal 500 for Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, and Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Compliance Law, and Litigation - Securities. He received his J.D. from the University of Michigan, and his B.S. from the State University of New York at Brockport.
In The News
Legal 500 2020 recognizes 21 Buckley attorneys in six practice areas
“Buckley attorneys are incredibly responsive while providing top quality legal services,” is how respondents described the firm in the 2020 edition of Legal 500, which ranked Buckley as a top law firm and recognized it in six categories:
- Corporate Investigations and White ...
Buckley recognized by Chambers USA as a “first-rate firm” in financial services; “crème de la crème” for White Collar practice
Buckley has once again received top recognition in financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA, which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas based on research and client interviews.
In total...
AnnouncementsBuckley Sandler recognized by Chambers USA as “an excellent firm” with “a fine stable of expert attorneys”
Buckley Sandler once again has received top recognition in financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA, which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas by researching the firms and interviewing...
AnnouncementsBuckley Sandler Recognized by Chambers USA as an “Exceptional” Financial Services Regulation and White Collar Firm
Buckley Sandler has continued to receive top recognition in the areas of financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA , which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas based on in-depth client interviews and peer...
In The NewsBest Lawyers in America Recognizes 11 Buckley Sandler Partners for 2018
Buckley Sandler is pleased to announce that 11 of its partners have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2018.
Partners Jeremiah S. Buckley,...
AnnouncementsThe Legal 500 2017 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 20 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler
Buckley Sandler has again been cited as one of the nation’s top law firms by The Legal 500 in its 2017 rankings, with the recognition of four practice areas:
- Financial Services: Litigation
- Financial Services: Regulatory
- Cyber Law (Data Protection and ...
Best Lawyers in America Recognizes Eight Buckley Sandler Partners in 2017 List
BuckleySandler is pleased to announce that eight of its partners have been recognized by their peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America® 2017 in nine categories, and Jeremiah Buckley has been named a Lawyer of the Year in Litigation - Banking and Finance for Washington, DC. Partners Andrew L...
Press ReleasesLegal 500 Recognizes Four Practice Areas and 14 Attorneys at Buckley Sandler in 2016 Rankings
Buckley Sandler LLP has again been noted as one of the nation’s top law firms, with recognition of four practice areas by The Legal 500 in its 2016 rankings: Financial Services: Litigation Financial Services: Regulatory Technology: Data Protection and Privacy White-Collar Criminal Defense In...
In The NewsRenowned Trial Lawyer Preston Burton Joins Buckley Sandler
WASHINGTON, DC (June 1, 2016) – Buckley Sandler LLP, a premier financial services, government enforcement, and litigation law firm, announced today that renowned trial and white collar criminal defense lawyer Preston Burton , has joined the firm as a Partner in its Washington, DC office, effective...
Press ReleasesBuckley Sandler Noted As "One of the Most Significant Consumer Finance and Banking Enforcement Firms in the US Market" By Chambers USA
Buckley Sandler has continued to receive top recognition in financial services regulation and white collar crime/government investigations from Chambers USA , which ranks leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas throughout the US based on in-depth client and peer research. The firm...
In The News23 Buckley Sandler Attorneys Named To 2016 Washington, DC Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. We are proud...
In The News
Publications
"SEC invokes '120-day' rule to enhance award to internally reporting whistleblower despite digital realty" by Christopher F. Regan, Timothy J. Coley, and Jessica M. Shannon (ABA White Collar Crime Committee Newsletter)
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently approved a $4.5 million whistleblower award, the first issued under its rule governing internal whistleblowing and its first since the Supreme Court’s decision last year in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers . Digital Realty held that employees who...
Articles"It's all in the footnotes: A field guide to SEC whistleblower awards" by Christopher F. Regan and Ian J. Acker (American Bar Association Business Law Today)
More than seven years since the Dodd-Frank Act’s whistleblower incentive provisions became effective, and more than five years since the first SEC whistleblower program award, only a few courts have put the program under a microscope. In the absence of meaningful case law and in light of the SEC’s...
Articles"Corporate America, expect a spike in SEC reporting" by Christopher F. Regan, Timothy J. Coley, and Ian Acker (Law360)
Eight years ago, the big debate between corporate America and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission was whether whistleblowers should be required to report internally before being eligible for awards and protections under Dodd-Frank’s anti-retaliation provisions. Ultimately, the SEC decided...
Articles"Supreme Court limits definition of ‘whistleblower’ in potentially hollow victory for public companies" by Christopher F. Regan (Westlaw)
On February 21, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers, a long-anticipated case that clarifies who is protected as a “whistleblower” under the Dodd-Frank Act’s anti-retaliation provisions In a unanimous decision penned by Justice Ginsburg, the Court held...
Articles"Why securities lawyers are the new employment lawyers" by Christopher F. Regan (Law360)
In early 2018, corporate America will be waiting with bated breath as the U.S. Supreme Court decides a game-changing whistleblower retaliation case. For employees thinking about blowing the whistle on financial malfeasance, this decision will resolve a circuit split and clarify when protections...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Best Lawyers 2021: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Securities
- Legal 500 2020: Recognized in the Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice area
- Super Lawyers 2020: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Best Lawyers 2020: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Criminal Defense - White-Collar
- Chambers USA 2019: Recognized Practitioner, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
- Best Lawyers 2019: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Criminal Defense - White-Collar
- Super Lawyers 2019: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Chambers USA 2018: Recognized Practitioner, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
- Best Lawyers 2018: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Criminal Defense - White-Collar
- Super Lawyers 2018: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Legal 500 2017: Recognized in the Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice area
- Chambers USA 2017: Recognized Practitioner, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
- Best Lawyers 2017: Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Criminal Defense - White-Collar
- Super Lawyers 2017: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Legal 500 2016: Recognized in the Litigation - White-Collar Criminal Defense practice area
- Chambers USA 2016: Recognized Practitioner, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
- Super Lawyers 2016: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Chambers USA 2015: Noted Practitioners, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations - Washington, D.C.
- Legal 500 2015: Recognized in the Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense practice area
- Super Lawyers 2015: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Public Justice 2015: Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist
- Legal 500 2014: Recognized in the Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense practice area
- Super Lawyers 2014: Criminal Defense (White Collar)
- Best Lawyers 2014: Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Compliance Law, Criminal Defense - White Collar
- Legal 500 2013: White Collar Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers 2013: Criminal Defense (White Collar)
- Best Lawyers 2013: Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Criminal Defense - White Collar
- Best Lawyers 2012: Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Compliance Law
- Best Lawyers 2011: Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Compliance Law
Practice Areas
- Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions
- Class Actions
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Congressional Investigations
- Enforcement Actions & Investigations
- Environmental Enforcement & Litigation
- False Claims Act & FIRREA
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act & Anti-Corruption
- Internal Investigations
- Securities Enforcement
- Whistleblower
- White Collar
Education
- J.D., University of Michigan, 1990
- B.S., State University of New York at Brockport, 1987 (magna cum laude)
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York