Jennifer M. O’Connor is a partner in the firm’s Litigation/Controversy and Regulatory and Government Affairs Departments, and a member of the Investigations and Criminal Litigation, Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation, Business Trial, Securities Litigation and Enforcement, Government and Regulatory Litigation, and Defense, National Security and Government Contracts Practice Groups. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a special assistant to the President in the Clinton White House between 1993 and 1996, and as a senior policy official in the US Department of Labor in 1997. Ms. O’Connor represents companies and individuals in high stakes civil and criminal litigation and investigations. She provides public policy and strategy advice in legal matters with governmental or public policy dimensions.
Practice
Ms. O’Connor has defended clients in fraud, securities and other criminal litigation, and has represented clients in investigations conducted by grand juries, federal and state administrative agencies, congressional committees, attorneys general, independent counsels and the attorney ethics committee of the bar. She has represented numerous clients in False Claims Act investigations and litigation, complex civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels, as well as in simultaneous criminal, civil and regulatory proceedings. She has also represented corporations and individual executives in several high profile internal investigations involving regulatory compliance and criminal issues. In addition, Ms. O’Connor has advised major industry trade organizations and corporations regarding public policy matters, including regulatory, statutory and ethics issues.
Recent Highlights
A sample of Ms. O'Connor's current matters and recent highlights includes the following:
False Claims Act Litigation
- Served as lead trial counsel in a major eight week federal jury trial involving allegations of bid rigging on USAID construction contracts in violation of the False Claims Act. The jury verdict was a complete victory for the firm’s client. Defended judgment in US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
- Won motion to dismiss False Claims Act case against a major US pharmaceutical company alleged to have made false marketing claims. Successfully defended judgment in the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
- Represent medical devices company in ongoing False Claims Act investigation related to US Defense Department contracts.
- Represent major US pharmaceutical company in ongoing False Claims Act litigation alleging pricing and marketing violations.
- Conducted internal investigation for CEO and board of major US defense contractor facing False Claims Act allegations.
Other Litigation and Investigations
- Served as lead trial counsel in a successful state court jury trial of a contract dispute.
- Served as counsel to a former member of the Hewlett-Packard Board of Directors in connection with a "pretexting" scandal and corporate leak investigation, as well as related SEC and DOJ inquiries.
- Assisted BP in establishing and supporting the Independent Panel headed by former Secretary of State James Baker to review the safety systems at BP's US refineries.
- Represent major US accounting firm in ongoing parallel securities litigation and government investigations related to alleged fraud at the firm’s client.
- Represented former executive of a consumer protection company in a Federal Trade Commission investigation into false marketing allegations, resulting in settlement on terms favorable to the client, including no admission of liability and no damages.
- Served as lead defense counsel to a senior Congressional staffer in a recent major criminal investigation.
- Represented a major multinational energy corporation in winning summary judgment to defeat a half billion dollar foreign money judgment action in federal court.
- Defended a major national mortgage lender in a class action seeking billions of dollars in damages for alleged violations of federal anti-discrimination laws, resulting in dismissal with prejudice for our client.
- Represented the former owners of The Salt Lake Tribune in federal litigation seeking to reacquire ownership of the newspaper, including several successful appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and resulting in a favorable settlement for our client.
- Served as lead appellate counsel in a criminal appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, resulting in reversal of our client’s conviction on the basis that there was insufficient evidence at trial to support that conviction.
- Won reversal of the convictions of Martin Tankleff, a NY man convicted of murder based on a false confession. Mr. Tankleff served seventeen years in prison before Ms. O’Connor and a team of other pro bono lawyers secured his release by winning reversal of his convictions on appeal to the New York State Appellate Division and then convincing the NY State Attorney General to drop the case.
- Won release of client Jim Allen from prison in Haiti following his incarceration for 20 days in connection with a misunderstanding arising from the transportation of dislocated Haitian children as part of a humanitarian mission following the recent earthquake in Haiti.
- Represent class of African-American Drug Enforcement Agents in long-running litigation alleging discrimination in hiring and promotions at the DEA. Representation has included successful motions and appeals in the US District Court for DC and the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.
Awards
- Listed in the 2012 edition of Benchmark Litigation for her leading appellate, securities and white-collar crime practices. Also recognized by Benchmark Appellate for her work in the District of Columbia.
- Ms. O’Connor recently received the “Gideon Champion of Justice” award from the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for her pro bono effort in securing the reversal of Martin Tankleff’s wrongful conviction.
- Ms. O’Connor also recently received the “Defender of Innocence” award from the Mid Atlantic Innocence Project for her efforts to reverse Mr. Tankleff’s convictions.
