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 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.
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
Hank Asbill extensively quoted in Insurance Journal article, “Court orders new trial for insurance exec convicted of bribing NC commissioner”
The Insurance Journal article, “Court orders new trial for insurance exec convicted of bribing NC commissioner,” discussed the appeal of Greg Lindberg, a North Carolina insurance entrepreneur who was convicted of attempting to bribe the state’s insurance commissioner in 2018. The U.S. 4th Circuit...
In The NewsLegal 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...
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...
Announcements
Publications
"Challenges of voir dire in a white collar case" by Hank Asbill (The Champion)
Hank Asbill and Nadav Ariel wrote an article in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' The Champion magazine on the challenges of voir dire in a white collar case. Click here to read the full article . Subscription required.
Articles"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: Washington's Top Lawyers for 15 years; Lifetime Achievement
- Northern Virginia Magazine: Top Lawyer
- Euromoney: World's Leading White Collar 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. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- 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. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Government Service
- Law Clerk, Hon. John W. Kern III, District of Columbia Court of Appeals
- Trial and Appellate Attorney, D.C. Public Defender Service
Memberships & Involvements
- Fellow, American Board of Criminal Lawyers
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Member and Former President, DC Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member and Former two-term Director and Chair of National CLE, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member, New York Council of Defense Lawyers
- Master, Edward Bennett Williams American Inn of Court