Being accused or convicted of a white-collar crime in Atlanta can have serious consequences for your personal and professional life. Convictions can lead to substantial fines, loss of professional licenses, and even prison time. If you’re facing these allegations, don’t take them lightly. Work with the skilled Atlanta white-collar criminal defense lawyers at Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC in Atlanta. Our dedicated team is here to provide support to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our trial-tested attorneys walk the walk
At Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC, we’re more than just another defense firm. We’re dedicated trial attorneys with deep expertise in high-stakes cases. Our team includes former high-ranking government prosecutors, attorneys from prominent law firms, and professionals trained under prestigious federal judges. We established our firm with one mission: to leverage our extensive experience to deliver exceptional service and results for our clients.
Proven experience in complex white-collar cases
Our Atlanta white-collar criminal defense lawyers have successfully tried and won some of the city’s largest, most complex, and highly publicized white-collar criminal cases. We have also discreetly resolved investigations, persuading authorities to close cases before charges were filed and protecting our clients’ reputations.
In addition, our team has secured multi-million dollar recoveries in injury cases through trials and settlements and defended clients with demands in the millions, often ensuring they were not liable for a single penny.
Our versatility is your strongest defense
Our diverse background enables us to assess every case’s strengths and weaknesses. This insight allows us to build and implement aggressive defense strategies that work in our client’s favor. When you’re facing serious charges, you need advocates who understand the stakes and are ready to take immediate action.
Hear from our clients about our white-collar defense services
| “Every attorney in this firm is highly qualified and does exceptional work on behalf of their clients.” |
| “[Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC] is always one step ahead of the other side.” |
| “They’re highly rated for client service, and the firm is doing an outstanding job. The firm offers great advocacy skills, excellent legal abilities, and high-quality legal work at a very good value.” |
How Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC can help you
Our team promptly gathers evidence to understand the government’s case and identify ways to challenge charges effectively at every stage.
- Prevent charges from being filed: If involved early, we can counter the government’s evidence before charges are filed, potentially avoiding a trial.
- Seek dismissal of charges: We scrutinize the evidence for weaknesses, aiming to dismiss charges pre-trial if possible.
- Negotiate a plea agreement: When beneficial, we negotiate plea deals to minimize penalties.
- Go to trial: If a plea or dismissal is unfeasible, we’re prepared to defend you vigorously in court.
Our white-collar crime lawyers have decades of experience defending Atlanta clients
If you have been convicted of a white-collar crime in Atlanta, connect with a lawyer as soon as possible so we can begin helping you assemble your defense.
Lack of intent
The prosecution must prove that you intentionally committed the crime you are charged with. Your lawyer may argue that you did not mean to or know you were committing a crime, which can result in an acquittal.
Insufficient evidence
The government must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt to be convicted of a crime. The government cannot rightfully obtain a conviction if there is doubt about even one facet of a crime.
Illegal search or seizure
The Fourth Amendment guarantees Americans the right to “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” In most instances, the government must have a warrant to conduct a legal search, and your lawyer can challenge any evidence from an illegal search.
For the government to achieve a lawful seizure, the law enforcement agent must demonstrate their authority as a law enforcement officer by carrying handcuffs or a weapon and may use physical force.
Second, you must submit to the demonstration of authority and not simply walk away.
Entrapment
When police engage in undercover and sting operations, their activities are often in the gray area between legal and illegal. Should the investigation step into the illicit regions, the evidence collected cannot legally be used as the basis for a case against you.
Statute of limitations
When charges are not brought within the time limit, they can no longer be brought against you.
Through 18 U.S. Code Se. 3282, the general federal statute of limitations for felonies is five years. If a charge is not brought within five years of the supposed offense, the government can no longer bring the charges against you.
Government cooperation
The decision to cooperate with the government should not be made without the assistance of an attorney.
It often includes a plea agreement and requires that a defendant/cooperating party agree to plead guilty to a felony charge and provide some form of “substantial assistance” to the government in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Cooperating with the government involves making statements that could, in turn, incriminate you. Additionally, if complete and accurate statements are not made, the government could pursue charges against you for dishonesty during a government investigation.
Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC has experience handling all types of white-collar defense cases
White-collar crime encompasses nonviolent financial offenses committed for personal or corporate gain, typically within professional or business settings. Common types include the following.
Antitrust crimes
Antitrust crimes include practices restricting competition, like market allocation, bid rigging, and price fixing. Laws such as the Sherman Act prohibit these practices to maintain a fair and competitive market in Atlanta and nationwide.
Bank fraud
Bank fraud includes schemes to deceive banks or gain funds under false pretenses, such as issuing fake checks, using false identities, phishing, and misrepresenting assets on loan applications.
Bankruptcy fraud
In bankruptcy fraud, individuals or businesses may conceal assets, falsify statements, or destroy evidence to manipulate bankruptcy proceedings, which can result in severe legal repercussions.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime involves digital schemes like phishing, unauthorized access to information through hacking, and cyberstalking. These crimes are prevalent in Atlanta’s tech-savvy business community and often target personal and financial data.
Defense procurement fraud
This involves fraudulent activities within defense contracts, where companies misrepresent information to win Department of Defense contracts. These crimes carry significant penalties.
Recent defense procurement fraud case: |
Embezzlement
Embezzlement, or theft by conversion, involves individuals with authorized access to funds unlawfully diverting them for personal gain.
Recent embezzlement case: |
Identity theft
Identity theft includes using someone’s personal information without authorization to open accounts, make purchases, or transfer funds.
Insider trading
Insider trading involves trading stock based on material, non-public information. While certain forms are legal if properly disclosed, unreported insider trading leads to strict penalties.
Money laundering
Money laundering disguises proceeds from illegal activities as legitimate funds by funneling them through businesses, making it challenging to trace the original source.
Recent money laundering cases: |
Public corruption
Public corruption occurs when government officials accept bribes or misuse their position for personal gain, undermining public trust in Atlanta’s government institutions.
RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act) violations
Originally targeting organized crime, RICO violations now extend to groups involved in fraud, drug trafficking, Ponzi schemes, and illegal labor. RICO charges can apply to those operating criminal enterprises in Atlanta.
Securities fraud
Securities fraud includes deceptive activities that manipulate financial markets, such as Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump scams, and misleading financial disclosures.
Small Business Administration (SBA) fraud
SBA fraud occurs when businesses submit false information to obtain SBA loans or grants, especially common following large-scale relief programs like those for COVID-19.
Tax fraud
Tax fraud involves misreporting income or assets to reduce tax obligations, resulting in severe penalties under Georgia and federal tax laws.
Wire fraud and mail fraud
Wire and mail fraud involve defrauding victims using electronic communications or postal mail. These broad statutes are widely used to prosecute fraudulent schemes in today’s digital world.
Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC provides a dedicated defense for those accused of white-collar crimes in Atlanta, leveraging extensive experience to protect clients’ rights and achieve the best possible outcomes in these complex cases. Contact us at (404) 891-9150 to learn more about your legal options.
Contact our Atlanta white-collar criminal defense lawyers now
If you’ve been accused of a white-collar crime or know an investigation is pending, contact our white-collar criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta from Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC as soon as possible.
Our experienced attorneys are standing by to step into your shoes and take over every aspect of your case against the government. We will become the exclusive source of communication with investigators and the prosecution and ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC at (404) 891-9150 or visit us online to schedule a consultation.
We answer common questions about white-collar crime in Atlanta
What are the penalties and consequences of white-collar crime?
Being convicted of a white-collar crime can forever change how you live. The financial repercussions alone can permanently impact someone’s life. When their reputation is damaged, it can also affect their professional prospects well into the future.
Legal consequences
- Imprisonment for up to 30 years
- Heavy fines
- Court costs and legal fees
- Restitution and forfeiture
Social and professional consequences
- Issues with present and future employment
- Losing professional licensing
- Forfeiting immigration status
- Losing child custody and visitation
- Having a poor reputation.
Why am I the target of a federal investigation?
Federal white-collar criminal investigations can arise from various events, such as irregularities in a company’s public disclosures, billing discrepancies, whistleblower complaints, or even patient lawsuits. Federal agencies, like the SEC, often conduct unannounced audits of financial records and practices, which may lead to further investigation. If your business is under scrutiny, it’s essential to understand why—but reaching out to federal agents directly can be risky and may compromise your position.
At Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC, our experienced attorneys will immediately begin working on your defense. With extensive experience handling cases with major federal law enforcement agencies, our team leverages this expertise to provide you with the strongest possible defense.
What are your fees and costs?
We’re committed to creating flexible fee arrangements that align our success with yours. At Griffin Durham Tanner & Clarkson LLC, we’re open to discussing fixed, contingency, or hybrid fees to find the best approach for your needs. Let’s work together to design a fee structure that supports your goals.