New—and Vague—Incentives for Companies to Self-Report and Cooperate in DOJ Criminal Investigations
January 25, 2023
Read MorePractices and Industries
Litigation & Dispute ResolutionForeign Corrupt Practices ActAppellateClass ActionsWhite Collar DefenseMatt Palmer-Ball is a seasoned trial attorney and former federal prosecutor. As co-leader of the firm’s White Collar Defense practice, he concentrates his practice in the areas of complex commercial litigation, white collar crime, and internal and government 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 three dozen 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.
Show MoreEXPERIENCE
- Tried 11 jury trials and 25 bench trials to verdict, including all aspects of pretrial and post-trial litigation.
- Conducted a broad range of sensitive grand jury investigations concerning bribery, fraud, insider trading, computer crimes, obstruction of justice, violent crime, and possession of illegal firearms and narcotics.
- 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
- 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
PUBLICATIONS
- “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