The Law Office of Thomas E. Zehnle defends a range of domestic and international clients — corporate executives, financial professionals, lobbyists and others — in complex white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions. Among other charges, Mr. Zehnle has defended clients accused of tax evasion, foreign bank account reporting (i.e., Bank Secrecy Act violations), securities and accounting fraud, money laundering, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and Foreign Agents Registration Act violations.
Clients under federal criminal investigation, and those already charged with white collar offenses, are often overwhelmed by the high-stakes nature of the proceedings. Their indictment and conviction can lead to a substantial period of incarceration and significant monetary penalties. Indeed, simply being charged can damage one’s hard-earned reputation. Mr. Zehnle provides legal representation and counsel at every phase, from the initial investigation to trial and beyond. Working with the client, Mr. Zehnle will identify and develop a litigation strategy based on the facts and the law, and maintain regular communication with prosecutors throughout the case to potentially resolve the matter short of trial. Of course, if a fight is necessary, Mr. Zehnle is no stranger to a tough courtroom defense of his clients.
Financial Fraud Focus
Mr. Zehnle primarily handles financial fraud cases in federal court, including but not limited to:
- Tax Evasion
- Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) violations
- Conspiracy
- Securities and Accounting Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Obstruction of Justice
- False Claims
- Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) violations
As a defense lawyer, a former federal prosecutor, and as the former chief of a Department of Justice criminal enforcement section, Mr. Zehnle has navigated the complexities of financial fraud offenses from both sides. This invaluable experience — over three decades — gives him deep insight into the factors and circumstances that influence the government’s decision about whether, when and how to pursue a criminal case against a client.
Litigation Approach
As a general rule, criminal litigation is best avoided where possible. Effective advocacy should minimize the risks to which the client is exposed. Much of Mr. Zehnle’s success has been in negotiating with prosecutors to drop charges or settle a case in the pre-trial stage. This approach has the additional benefit of conserving the client’s resources.
Typically, Mr. Zehnle handles financial fraud cases where the client is either under active investigation or is already headed to trial. Though it is preferable that criminal matters be dropped before there is an indictment, it is not always possible to resolve a dispute before trial. In such cases, Mr. Zehnle has decades of experience in the courtroom, both as a defense attorney and a prosecutor, from which to draw upon.
Simply put, prosecutors recognize when an attorney lacks trial experience. There is little incentive for the government to “give up” on litigation and resolve a matter through a favorable plea or other resolution if the prosecutors believe that they have the advantage. A seasoned trial lawyer, however, can change the calculus.
Small Firm Attentiveness, Big Law Sophistication
Mr. Zehnle has access to critical professional networks and resources that other small firms may lack. He invests substantial time and attention to each client’s case, ensuring that his clients are provided the best possible legal representation.
In high-stakes white collar defense litigation, however, additional resources may be necessary. Over his decades-long career as a federal prosecutor and criminal defense litigator, Mr. Zehnle has built an extensive network of professional contacts that he can leverage when needed.