People
Adam Schwartz
Biography
A former federal prosecutor and first-chair trial lawyer, praised by clients for his “exceptional courtroom skills,” Adam represents multinational corporations and individuals as they navigate criminal, Congressional, and civil regulatory investigations, crisis management, and litigation in state and federal courts.
Adam has successfully defended investigations led by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the SEC, the CFTC, FINRA, state attorneys general and regulators, and Congress, involving potential violations of the securities and antitrust laws, the FCPA, the False Claims Act, FARA, and export control laws. He has tried more than 40 cases to verdict and argued numerous evidentiary motions and appeals. Adam frequently works with companies in the tech, energy, and financial sectors, as well as government contractors and companies operating in the national security industry and under CFIUS mitigation measures.
Prior to entering private practice, Adam served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia where he supervised the investigation, indictment, and trial of complex conspiracies, homicides, and matters involving public corruption and racketeering. While with the Department of Justice, he was awarded the Director’s Award and three special achievement awards. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Henry Hudson in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Before attending law school, Adam was an officer on active duty in the U.S. Navy.
Practice areas
- Securities litigation and enforcement
- Corporate and commercial litigation
- White-collar defense and global investigations
- Antitrust litigation
- Financial services litigation
- Environmental social and governance
- Disputes
- Financial services advisory and regulatory
- International arbitration
- State Attorneys General investigations and litigation
Sectors
- Banks
- Financial institutions
- Energy
- Oil and gas
- Defense
- Technology
- PFAS
Selected experience
- U.S. financial services providers in inquiries by the SEC and numerous state attorneys general and regulators related to ESG policies and commitments.
- Multiple companies in criminal investigations by U.S. Attorney’s offices and the DOJ National Security Division, and parallel civil investigations, for false claims and export violations.
- U.S. financial institution and senior executive in an SEC inquiry related to insider trading.
- DOD officials and government contractors in multiple investigations by a U.S. Attorney’s Office and Inspectors General involving kickbacks and false claims.
- Global NGO in DOJ investigation related to Iranian sanctions and FARA.
- U.S. financial institution in parallel antitrust and fraud investigations conducted by the DOJ Criminal Division, SEC, CFTC, and the Federal Reserve.
- Energy companies and individuals in several FCPA investigations conducted by the DOJ Fraud Section and SEC involving Brazil, Kazakhstan, India, Mexico, and the U.K.
- Telecommunications company in administrative investigations related to national security by the Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and FCC.
- U.S. financial institution in a FINRA investigation of its prime brokerage and the extension of credit to a U.K. hedge fund.
- U.S. banks and asset managers in inquiries by the House Judiciary Committee, Senate Banking Committee, and Members related to climate policies and affiliations.
Education
- B.A., Cornell University, magna cum laude, 2000
- J.D., University of Virginia, 2007 Editorial Board, Virginia Law Review
Admissions
- Virginia, 2007
- Washington, D.C., 2009
- New York, 2016
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland