One of the best trial lawyers in the city … a genuine lion of the white-collar Bar ... extremely thoughtful and imaginative in developing investigation and trial strategy ... unflinching in his willingness to try cases … one hell of a trial record.Chambers USA
David S. Krakoff
Partner
Biography
David Krakoff has established himself over the last 30 years as one of the nation’s leading trial lawyers and counselors for high-stakes criminal and complex civil litigation. He represents corporations and executives in all aspects of criminal, civil and parallel enforcement matters with strategic advice, investigation and advocacy before government agencies and trials.
One of the best trial lawyers in the city … a genuine lion of the white-collar Bar ... extremely thoughtful and imaginative in developing investigation and trial strategy ... unflinching in his willingness to try cases … one hell of a trial record.Chambers USA
In The News
Legal 500 2022 recognizes 18 Buckley attorneys in five practice areas
“They treat their clients better than any other law firm I’ve experienced,” is what one respondent said about Buckley LLP to Legal 500, which ranked the firm as a top law firm in five categories and recognized 18 of its attorneys for its 2022 edition.
The publication recognized...
AnnouncementsBuckley recognized by Chambers USA for consumer financial services, white collar, and fintech practices
Chambers USA named Buckley LLP a nationwide Band 1 firm in all consumer finance categories in its 2022 rankings, recognizing six of its partners in those practices. The firm received top recognition in Consumer Finance Compliance, Consumer Finance Litigation, and Consumer Finance...
AnnouncementsLegal 500 2021 recognizes 17 Buckley attorneys in six practice areas
“While some firms will provide lengthy and expensive legal analysis, Buckley’s team relies on their depth and breadth of expertise to provide useful guidance from various team members quickly and efficiently,” a respondent told Legal 500, which ranked Buckley LLP as a top law firm and...
AnnouncementsBuckley recognized by Chambers USA for consumer financial services, white collar practices
Chambers USA named Buckley LLP a nationwide Band 1 firm in all consumer finance categories in its 2021 rankings, recognizing nine of its partners in those practices — more than any other firm in the country. The firm received top recognition in Consumer Finance Compliance, Consumer...
AnnouncementsLegal 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 “top-notch” firm in financial services and white collar work
Buckley has once again received top recognition in financial services regulation, white collar crime/government investigations, and fintech from Chambers USA, which ranks the country’s leading firms and lawyers in a range of practice areas based on research and client interviews....
AnnouncementsThe Legal 500 2019 recognizes 17 Buckley attorneys in five practice areas
The Legal 500 once again ranked Buckley as a top law firm and recognized it in five categories:
- Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Corporate – Tier 4
- Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Individuals – Tier 2 ...
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 announces name and leadership changes
WASHINGTON, DC (Jan. 17, 2019) – Buckley Sandler LLP, a premier national law firm focused on financial services, white collar defense, and complex civil litigation, has changed its name to Buckley LLP and reorganized its governance structure and leadership team. The decision to shorten the firm’s...
Press ReleasesBenchmark recognizes Buckley Sandler litigation team; David Krakoff inducted into American College of Trial Lawyers
Benchmark Litigation has recognized Buckley Sandler as one of the nation’s top litigation law firms, awarding it a National Tier 1 ranking for its White Collar practice and deeming its District of Columbia litigation team “Highly Recommended” — Benchmark’s highest...
Announcements
Publications
"DOJ corporate enforcement guidelines are placing individual defendants between a rock and a whirlpool" by David S. Krakoff and Bradley A. Marcus (Business Crimes Bulletin)
For companies suspected of wrongdoing, cooperating with Department of Justice (DOJ) investigations and selfdisclosing their misconduct often appears to be their only option to avoid prosecution and reduce large financial penalties. But, these benefits often come at a price, especially to company...
Articles"It may help to oppose discovery stay in parallel proceedings" by David S. Krakoff, Adam Miller, and Bradley A. Marcus (Law360)
Representing a client in parallel civil and criminal proceedings is fraught with peril at every strategic turn. Decisions in each case can significantly affect the other, often in unpredictable ways. One piece of conventional wisdom for attorneys representing such clients is to support motions by...
ArticlesChallenges to the DOJ's Jurisdiction Over Extraterritorial Conduct
Part One of a Two-Part Article The United States is often criticized for trying to be the world’s policeman — for trying to prosecute wrongdoing all over the world, even when the connection to U.S. interests is, at best, tenuous. The Supreme Court has in recent years begun imposing limits on the...
Articles"Individual and Coordinated Prosecutors Accelerate - Along With The Challenges" by David Krakoff, Lauren Randell, Veena Viswanatha, & Mehul Madia (American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine)
For years, federal and state prosecutors have touted their willingness to charge individuals as an essential deterrent to white-collar criminal action, often responding to criticism of prosecutions of corporate entities without any accompanying prosecution of related executives. And for years,...
ArticlesWriting the Facilitating Payments Exception Out of the FCPA
Last summer, a lawsuit brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleging Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations against two individuals related to Noble Corporation, a global oil and gas drilling services company, nearly went to trial in federal court in Texas. SEC v...
ArticlesMind Your Flanks: Collateral Litigation Associated with FCPA Actions
When allegations of foreign bribery surface — whether from news reports, a whistleblower submission, or otherwise — companies move aggressively to address the many issues associated with a potential investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and/or the U.S. Securities and Exchange...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Chambers USA 2022: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Legal 500 2022: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers 2022: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Chambers USA 2021: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Legal 500 2021: Leading Lawyer in Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense (Advice to Individuals); Recognized in Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense (Advice to Corporates)
- Best Lawyers 2021: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2021: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Chambers USA 2020: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Legal 500 2020: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers 2020: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2020: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Chambers USA 2019: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Benchmark Litigation 2019: White Collar Crime, General Commercial
- Legal 500 2019: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers 2019: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2019: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Chambers USA 2018: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Legal 500 2018: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers 2018: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2018: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Legal 500 2017: Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Chambers USA 2017: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Best Lawyers 2017: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White-Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2017: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Legal 500 2016: Recognized in Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense
- Chambers USA 2016: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 3, FCPA
- Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence 2016
- Super Lawyers 2016: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Chambers USA 2015: Band 1, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations; Band 4, FCPA
- Legal 500 2015: Recognized in Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers 2016: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- National Law Journal 2015 White Collar Trailblazer
- Law360 Trial Ace 2015
- Washingtonian Top Lawyer, Criminal Defense (2007, 2013, 2015)
- Who's Who Legal: Compendium Edition
- Who's Who Legal 2015: Business Crime Defence
- Super Lawyers 2015: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Best Lawyers 2015: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Who's Who Legal 2015 - Compendium Edition
- Who's Who Legal 2014: Business Crime Defence
- Chambers USA 2010-2014: Band 2, D.C. Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations
- Legal 500 2014: Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers 2014: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Best Lawyers 2014: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- Super Lawyers 2013: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Best Lawyers 2013: Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White Collar, Securities/Capital Markets Law
- Legal 500 2012: Litigation - White Collar Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers 2012: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation
- Best Lawyers 2012: Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense - White Collar, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Securities
- The International Who's Who of Business Crime Defense Lawyers 2012-2013
- The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers 2012-2013
- Super Lawyers 2011: Criminal Defense: White Collar
- Best Lawyers 2011: Commercial Litigation and White Collar Criminal Defense
- Best Lawyers in Washington 2006-2013
Practice Areas
- Appellate
- Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions
- Class Actions
- Complex Civil Litigation
- Congressional Investigations
- Environmental Enforcement & Litigation
- Enforcement Actions & Investigations
- False Claims Act & FIRREA
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act & Anti-Corruption
- Internal Investigations
- Monitorships
- Securities Enforcement
- Whistleblower
- White Collar
Education
- J.D., University of the District of Columbia, 1975
- A.B., Dartmouth College, 1971
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Government Service
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia
Memberships & Involvements
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers