Overview
Experience
Credentials
Perspectives

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.  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.  Matt is co-leader of the firm’s White Collar Defense practice. 

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EXPERIENCE

  • Advising national healthcare corporation on myriad contractual disputes, both as defendant and plaintiff.
  • Advising regional non-profit in pending wrongful death and negligence suits.
  • Representing higher-learning institution in ongoing federal criminal probe.
  • Advising regional non-profit in DOJ Civil Rights investigation.
  • Defending trustee in suit brought by beneficiary claiming breach of trust and seeking removal of trustee from position.
  • 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
  • Board Member, Trinity High School Alumni Association