One of the best, if not the best criminal defense trial attorney in the country … absolutely fearless … superb at cross-examining … aggressive when he needs to be … one of the legends of the white-collar Bar … a very forceful advocate who commands the courtroom.Chambers USA
Henry Asbill
Partner
Biography
Hank Asbill, a partner in the Washington, D.C. and New York offices of Buckley LLP, provides clients with more than four decades of exemplary jury trial and appellate experience. Over the course of his career, he has successfully defended corporate and individual clients in a wide range of criminal and civil matters in more than 100 trials and 30 appeals in federal and state courts across the country. His work includes white collar defense, securities litigation, complex civil litigation, and antitrust and corporate investigations.
Mr. Asbill, whom Chambers recognizes as “one of the best, if not the best criminal defense trial attorney in the country," received the White Collar Defense Lawyer of the Year Award in 2015 from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has also been recognized by Benchmark Litigation in 2019 as one of the top 100 trial lawyers in the U.S., as well as a top practitioner in White Collar, Antitrust, Appellate, General Commercial, and Securities Litigation; The Legal 500 (Corporate Investigations and White-collar Criminal Defense); Best Lawyers in America (Criminal Defense: White Collar, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation: Regulatory Enforcement, Bet the Company Litigation); Euromoney’s World’s Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers; Washingtonian magazine; and Super Lawyers. He was profiled in The National Law Journal’s "Winning" report featuring the nation’s top litigators and SmartCEO magazine called him a "go to" lawyer for white-collar criminal defense and commercial litigation.
Some of his more noteworthy matters include:
- Defended former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, whose public corruption convictions were unanimously overturned by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the government overreached in defining when a public servant’s actions are “official acts”
- Represented on appeal Bridget Kelly, the former deputy chief of staff to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, whose trial conviction was recently reversed in a unanimous decision by the US Supreme Court
- Defended Mahmood Karzai, the brother of Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, in a federal grand jury investigation in the Southern District of New York, regarding alleged tax, money laundering, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violation, that concluded without any charges being brought
- Achieved an appellate victory in defending the estate of Michael Jackson and MJJ Productions, Inc., when the D.C. Circuit unanimously affirmed a lower court ruling that what the plaintiff referred to as “newly discovered evidence” was not admissible
- Won successive criminal and civil jury trials involving securities-fraud charges brought against a former AOL vice president by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
- Secured an acquittal on all counts for a lead defendant in a RICO case in the longest criminal trial in federal court history
Mr. Asbill is a master of the Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court, Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, past president and Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers, past president of the D.C. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and former two-term director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
A frequent lecturer on trial work, Mr. Asbill is a former adjunct professor of criminal and civil trial practice at Georgetown University Law Center and a former instructor at the Federal Judicial Center training program for federal district judges.
He received his J.D. from Georgetown University and his A.B. from Princeton University.
One of the best, if not the best criminal defense trial attorney in the country … absolutely fearless … superb at cross-examining … aggressive when he needs to be … one of the legends of the white-collar Bar … a very forceful advocate who commands the courtroom.Chambers USA
In The News
Buckley 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...
AnnouncementsHank Asbill extensively quoted in Agenda article, “New wild cards for white-collar enforcement”
Hank Asbill was extensively quoted on July 10, 2020 in an Agenda article, “New wild cards for white-collar enforcement,” which discussed the state of white collar enforcement amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Asbill noted, “Covid-19 has made it exponentially more difficult to conduct criminal trials. The...
In The NewsLegal 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....
AnnouncementsHank Asbill quoted in Wall Street Journal article, “Trump praises Barr for ‘taking charge’ in Roger Stone case”
Hank Asbill was quoted on February 12, 2020 in a Wall Street Journal article, “Trump praises Barr for ‘taking charge’ in Roger Stone case,” which discussed President Trump’s appreciation towards Attorney General William Barr for “taking charge” of the Roger Stone case following the Justice...
In The NewsThe 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...
AnnouncementsHank Asbill’s move cited by American Lawyer as one of the top 25 biggest lateral moves of 2018
Hank Asbill’s move to Buckley was named as one of the top 25 biggest lateral moves of 2018 by the American Lawyer. Asbill moved from Jones Day, to join Buckley’s White Collar and Complex Civil Litigation practices. Click here to read the full article .
In The NewsBenchmark 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...
AnnouncementsHank Asbill quoted in Law360 article, “Drummond exec, Balch & Bingham partner trial goes to jury”
Hank Asbill was quoted on July 19, 2018 in a Law360 article, “Drummond exec, Balch & Bingham partner trial goes to jury,” which discussed the closing remarks during the U.S. v. Gilbert et al. trial. The article stated, “The jury was ready to deliberate by lunchtime Thursday after hearing...
In The NewsBuckley 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...
AnnouncementsHank Asbill profiled in Law360 article, “Buckley Sandler picks up white collar atty from Jones Day”
Hank Asbill was profiled on April 24, 2018 in a Law360 article, “Buckley Sandler picks up white collar atty from Jones Day,” which discussed Hank Asbill’s move to Buckley: “I think that some of the best trial lawyers I know reside at Buckley Sandler, and that’s the kind of work I do and want to...
In The NewsHank Asbill Joins Buckley Sandler
WASHINGTON, DC (April 23, 2018) – Buckley Sandler LLP announced today that renowned trial lawyer Henry Asbill has joined the firm as a partner in its White Collar and Complex Civil Litigation practices. Asbill has obtained outstanding results for his clients for decades. He has successfully...
Press ReleasesHank Asbill profiled in Law.com article, “Hank Asbill's jump to Buckley Sandler marks fifth recent Jones Day departure”
Hank Asbill was profiled on April 23, 2018 in a Law.com article, “Hank Asbill's jump to Buckley Sandler marks fifth recent Jones Day departure,” which discussed Hank Asbill’s move to Buckley. The article noted that Asbill, who joined Buckley's white-collar and complex civil litigation practices in...
In The News
Publications
"Taking a stand on taking the stand" by Hank Asbill (National Law Journal)
Whether white-collar defendants should testify ar trial is the subject of much debate among criminal defense lawyers. Ultimately, this critical decision must be carefully evaluated in every case, in multiple stages of the process. Balancing the risks against the anticipated rewards of a defendant...
Articles"The Ten Commandments of cross-examination revisited: Should you sin to win when the case is criminal?" by Hank Asbill (American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine)
Irving Younger's lecture on cross-examination, which I first heard in the mid-1970s, is like the delivery of the slightly more famous Ten Commandments by Moses at Mt. Sinai -- accepted on faith and followed by nearly all. Many litigators keep their notes of that lecture close at hand and review...
Articles
Awards and Recognitions
Awards & Recognitions
- Benchmark Litigation 2019: Top 100 U.S. Trial Lawyers
- Benchmark Litigation: White Collar Crime, Antitrust, Appellate, General Commercial, Securities
- Chambers USA: Band 2, Litigation: Trial Lawyers – Nationwide
- Chambers USA: Band 2, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations – District of Columbia
- The Legal 500: Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: White Collar Defense Lawyer of the Year 2015
- Best Lawyers in America: Criminal Defense: White Collar; Criminal Defense: General Practice; Commercial Litigation; Litigation: Regulatory Enforcement; Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Super Lawyers: Top 100 Washington, DC Metro Area
- Washingtonian Magazine: Washinton's Top Lawyers
- Northern Virginia Magazine: Top Lawyer
- Euromoney: World's Leading White Colar Crime Lawyers
- Master – Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court
Education
- J.D., Georgetown University
- A.B., Princeton University
Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- 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, District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Supreme Court
Government Service
- Law Clerk to Hon. John W. Kern III, D.C. Court of Appeals
- Trial and Appellate Attorney, D.C. Public Defender Service