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Ostrander Vail LLP · Federal defense · DC

Federal criminal and white-collar defense · Washington, DC

Federal defense, from the first letter to the last hearing.

We represent people and companies in federal investigations, grand jury matters, fraud and cyber cases, and sentencing. If an agent called, a subpoena arrived or a target letter is on your desk, talk with us before you talk with anyone else.

Request a confidential consultation How a federal case works

Consultation line (202) 555-0148, 7 days, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

A professional walks alone with a briefcase between city buildings in early morning light
Confidential by default. No case names, no client lists, no press releases.

What happened?

Founded
2011
Federal work only, from the start
Lawyers
7
A partner leads every matter
Before the firm
4 sides
Prosecutor, defender, regulator, compliance
Consultation line
7 days
Any hour for a search or arrest

Where most of our matters begin

It usually starts with a piece of paper, or a knock.

The best time to call federal defense counsel is before anyone is charged. These are the three moments that bring most people to us, and what to do in the first week.

Illustration, not a real document
  1. 1Your status. Target means prosecutors see substantial evidence and may charge. It does not mean charges are certain.
  2. 2The subject. Usually described in general terms. The evidence is not listed.
  3. 3The invitation. Any conversation should happen through a lawyer, on terms agreed in advance.

01 · A target letter

A letter says you are a target.

It is serious, and it is also an invitation to act before charges are decided. The first call we make is to the prosecutor, so you never have to.

First steps

  1. 1.Do not call the prosecutor or the agent yourself.
  2. 2.Keep every document and device exactly as it is.
  3. 3.Talk with federal defense counsel this week.
What a target letter means
Illustration, not a real document
  1. 1The return date. It can often be moved, but only by written agreement.
  2. 2The schedule. Each numbered request can sometimes be narrowed or produced in stages.
  3. 3The definitions. They decide the real scope, so read them first.

02 · A grand jury subpoena

A subpoena has a date on it.

Documents or testimony, to you or your company, the response is a legal decision. A careful one keeps a witness from becoming a subject.

First steps

  1. 1.Put the return date on the calendar today.
  2. 2.Stop routine deletion of anything that might be covered.
  3. 3.Send a copy to counsel before anyone starts collecting.
Grand jury subpoenas
Illustration, not a real document
  1. 1A friendly request. A card in the door is often the first sign of an investigation.
  2. 2A polite answer. You can decline to talk now and let your lawyer arrange any interview.

03 · A knock at the door

An agent wants a few minutes.

Agents are trained interviewers, and their notes become the record. You can be polite, take the card, and let a lawyer arrange any conversation.

First steps

  1. 1.Take the card and say your lawyer will be in touch.
  2. 2.Write down what was asked, then stop.
  3. 3.If there is a warrant, do not interfere and do not answer questions.
An agent wants to talk. What now?

Practice areas

Seven kinds of federal matters. Nothing else.

All practice areas

The federal process, plainly

Nine stages. Most people meet us at the first three.

Federal cases follow a pattern. Knowing where you are in it tells you what can still change, and what to do next. Select a stage to read about it.

  1. 01 Investigation (this practice area) Agents gather records and interview people, often for months.
  2. 02 Target letter (this practice area) Prosecutors may say in writing that you are a target, subject or witness.
  3. 03 Grand jury (this practice area) Citizens decide in secret whether there is probable cause to charge.
  4. 04 Charges and first appearance An indictment or information is filed and release conditions are set.
  5. 05 Discovery and motions The evidence is turned over and challenged, sometimes millions of pages.
  6. 06 Plea discussions Most federal cases end in a plea. Each option carries its own risks.
  7. 07 Trial Twelve jurors must agree that each element is proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
  8. 08 Sentencing The judge calculates the advisory guidelines, then decides the sentence.
  9. 09 Appeal A notice of appeal is usually due within 14 days of the judgment.
Read the full guide

General information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

Who we represent

People with a career on the line, and the companies that employ them.

A man in a suit reads a letter at his office desk

Individuals

A federal matter rarely threatens only the case. Licenses, clearances, jobs and reputations move with it, so we plan for all of them from the first call.

  • Executives, finance staff and business owners
  • Physicians, pharmacists and practice owners
  • Developers, IT and security professionals
  • Public employees and people with security clearances
Seen from above, four colleagues review documents around a meeting table

Companies and boards

Subpoena responses, internal investigations and conversations with prosecutors, handled so the company's facts are established before someone else establishes them.

  • Boards, audit committees and special committees
  • General counsel and compliance leaders
  • Privately held companies and nonprofits
  • Companies whose employees need separate counsel

Example matters

What the work looks like, including when it falls short.

All example matters
Example matter · EX-01 Favorable

Software sales executive · Investigation

Subject of a contracting investigation

Situation
Agents interviewed two former colleagues about a government contract he had helped win.
What we did
Confirmed his status with the prosecutor, gathered approval records, and made a written presentation.
How it ended · Closed, no charges
The inquiry into him was closed without charges. Others in the investigation were charged.

Federal investigations

Example matter · EX-03 Mixed result

Small-business owner · Plea

Wire fraud counts tied to a pandemic-era loan

Situation
Several counts alleged false statements on a government-backed loan application.
What we did
Rebuilt the use-of-funds analysis with a forensic accountant and contested the loss figure.
How it ended · Plea, probation
Pleaded guilty to one count with a much lower agreed loss figure. Sentenced to probation.

Fraud and white-collar charges

Example matter · EX-04 Not the result we sought

Investment adviser · Trial

Securities and wire fraud trial

Situation
Five counts alleged misstatements to investors about how their money would be used.
What we did
Tried the case for three weeks, with our own accountant testifying about the fund's records.
How it ended · Mixed verdict
Convicted on two counts and acquitted on three. Sentenced within the guideline range for the remaining counts.

Fraud and white-collar charges

Example matters are illustrations with details changed and no names, courts or cases. Every matter turns on its own facts, and past results do not predict or guarantee any outcome.

The lawyers

We have sat on every side of the table.

Meet the attorneys

Client reviews

In their words, without their names.

Shared with permission. Names are withheld and details changed to protect confidentiality.

Read all reviews
On the first call they told me what they could not promise. That is exactly why I hired them.
R.T. · Business owner, federal investigation
Every deadline came with a plain explanation of what it meant and what we were going to do about it.
General counsel · Company subpoena response

Insights

Plain answers to the first questions.

All insights

Confidential consultation

Talk to a lawyer before you talk to anyone else.

A short, confidential call is often enough to learn where you stand and what not to do this week. We will tell you plainly whether we can help.

Request a consultation (202) 555-0148

Please do not send case details through any website form or by email. We cover them by phone or in person, under privilege.

Consultation line: 7 days, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If a search or an arrest is happening now, call at any hour.

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