Matthew R. Palmer-Ball

Partner

Practices and Industries

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Appellate Class Actions White Collar Defense

Matt Palmer-Ball is a seasoned trial attorney and former federal prosecutor who concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation, white collar crime, internal and government investigations, and corporate compliance. Matt advises businesses, non-profits, boards of directors, fiduciaries, and individuals, who seek out Matt’s deep trial experience in a range of high-stakes disputes and his prior government service in all types of investigations. Matt is co-leader of the firm’s White Collar Defense practice.

Prior to joining Wyatt, Matt served as a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Public Integrity Section and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. In those roles, he tried 36 cases to verdict and conducted a broad range of sensitive investigations. Before serving in government, Matt worked in private practice in Washington D.C., representing financial institutions, industrial corporations, and executives in a wide variety of business disputes and white collar matters. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Hon. Boyce F. Martin, Jr, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

EXPERIENCE

Advising national healthcare corporation on myriad contractual disputes, both as defendant and plaintiff.
Representing higher-learning institution in ongoing federal criminal probe.
Advising regional non-profit in DOJ Civil Rights investigation.
Representing investor as defendant and cross-claimant in federal partnership litigation concerning real estate ventures.
Representing non-profit as defendant and counterclaimant in suit involving alleged charitable trusts.
Led and resolved internal investigation for national equine-sport governing body into whistleblower claims of misconduct by organization officials.
Successfully defeated injunction motion brought by physician against hospital system in suit over surgical privileges and patient care review.
Conducted internal investigation Defended trustee in suit brought by beneficiary claiming breach of trust and seeking removal of trustee from position.
Achieved successful, confidential resolution for regional non-profit in wrongful death and negligence suits.
Advised international spirits company on internal investigation regarding employee misconduct.
Conducted internal investigation on behalf of private company into allegations of fraud and improper billing by employees. Interviewed employees, led review of documents and electronic devices, and made legal risk recommendations to company, which resulted in zero penalties for the company upon a favorable resolution.
Defended regional healthcare provider in False Claims Act case alleging inflated Medicare billing and conducted related internal investigation.
Represented Chinese petroleum company and its executives in response to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) investigation conducted by SEC and DOJ, as well as an investigation by NYSE Regulations regarding reporting violations and, relatedly, conducted internal investigation in China that included extensive employee interviews and document collections.
Represented CEO of oil-exploration company in FCPA investigation regarding contract procurement in West Africa, resulting in no charges being filed.
Conducted internal investigation spanning multiple countries in Asia for U.S. conglomerate to identify possible FCPA violations and assisted in developing company’s anti-corruption policy.
Represented multinational petroleum-production services company in multiple federal criminal investigations regarding potential liability under the Clean Water Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the federal manslaughter statute.
Defended global petroleum company in simultaneous investigations by DOJ and state regulators concerning alleged environmental crimes and regulatory violations related to refinery fire.
Represented coal company executive in criminal investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office into coal mine fire, resulting in no charges being filed.
Defended international bank in federal litigation involving claims of fraud and fraudulent transfer related to bank’s loans to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Negotiated favorable settlement with SEC Enforcement on behalf of hedge fund over alleged violations of Rule 105 of Regulation M of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934.

EDUCATION

J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, cum laude, 2009
B.B.A., University of Notre Dame, cum laude, 2005

ADMISSIONS

Kentucky
District of Columbia

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Trial Attorney, Public Integrity Section, U.S. Department of Justice
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia
Associate, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, Washington, D.C.
Associate, Schulte Roth and Zabel LLP, Washington, D.C.
Law Clerk, Hon. Boyce F. Martin, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS

Louisville and Kentucky Bar Associations
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Graduate, Leadership Louisville Class of 2023
Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
Chair-Elect, Trinity High School Alumni Association Board of Directors

PUBLICATIONS

“Getting a Do-Over on Your 5th Amendment Waiver: The Sixth Circuit Holds for the First Time That A Waiver at a Deposition Does Not Extend to Trial in the Same Case,” Kentucky Bar Association, Bench & Bar, May 2023
“New Nationwide Policy for U.S. Attorney Offices Regarding Corporate Self-Disclosure,” Wyatt Publication, February 24, 2023
“New – and Vague – Incentives for Companies to Self-Report and Cooperate in DOJ Criminal Investigations,” Wyatt Publication, January 25, 2023
“U.S. Department of Justice Announces Additional Guidance in Corporate Prosecutions,” Wyatt Publication, September 21, 2022
“It Is Now Harder to Convict Physicians for Allegedly Improper Prescriptions,” Wyatt Publication, June 29, 2022
“False Claims Act Prohibitions Do Not Preclude Recovery of Attorney Fees by Multiple Relators,” Wyatt Publication, April 12, 2022
“Sixth Circuit Reminder on Limitations of Attorney-Client Privilege,” Wyatt Publication, March 2, 2022
“Here’s a Solution to Everyone’s Complaints about Bail,” Louisville Courier-Journal, February 28, 2022
“Federal Redlining Enforcement Affects Mortgage Lending Institutions,” Wyatt Publication, February 17, 2022
“Could Your Political Contribution Be Criminal?,” Louisville Business First, February 4, 2022
“Growing Globally with the FCPA: Concerns Before and After International Expansion,” Louisville Bar Association Bar Briefs, September 2021

PRESENTATIONS

“Key Considerations in Responding to Government Subpoenas While Protecting Privilege,” Wyatt’s Nashville Corporate Counsel Seminar, December 2023
“Protecting Privilege: Essential Considerations in Litigation and Investigations,” Wyatt’s In-House Counsel Litigation Seminar, November 2023
“When Litigation and Investigations Involve Your Employees: Ethical and Strategic Considerations,” Wyatt’s In-House Counsel Seminar, June 2022
“Employment Law Update: Keeping You on Point: Increased Antitrust Enforcement in Labor and Employment Markets,” Wyatt’s Employment Law Update, April 2022
“FCPA Hydra: Enforcement Actions, Civil Litigation, Compliance Policies, and More… at the Same Time!”, Wyatt’s In-House Counsel Litigation Seminar, November 2021
“An Insider’s Look at the Government’s Investigative Playbook and Proactive Steps to Protect your Organization,” Wyatt’s In-House Counsel Seminar, June 2021