OUR FOCUS

White Collar Criminal Defense

White Collar Crime generally encompasses all serious non-violent crimes. 

At the Federal level, criminal investigations of such matters are primarily conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Division of the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other supportive Federal agencies.  These investigations are overseen by the United States Attorney, and working together, their investigative methods include physical or electronic surveillance, surprise interviews, focused interrogations, compulsory Grand Jury testimony, and subpoenas for documents. 

Federal investigations are generally quite lengthy and often target business owners, executives and corporate officers.  It is therefore critical that an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney be consulted immediately when one becomes aware that contact has been initiated with any person or business through any of these investigative techniques. 

At the State level, these cases are investigated by the California Department of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office, the Fair Political Practices Commission, the Franchise Tax Board, the Board of Equalization, the Department of Tax and Fee Administration, and to a lesser extent, County District Attorneys Sheriff’s Departments, and City Police Departments. Any contact with these or related agencies should be through and by an attorney with the knowledge and experience to protect you, your family, and your business.

Consultation and Crisis Management

Many cases carry with them attendant issues of a sudden and urgent need for professional contact with the media and the appropriately measured communication in the client’s public and private community.  Our firm has an established track record of successfully promoting our client’s best interests under the pressure of intense scrutiny. Our successes include keeping major businesses alive, protecting individual careers and reputations, and working with friends and family who suffer through collateral pain. Our firm embraces the whole client, not just the case at hand.

Internal Investigations

Portanova & Associates is often retained to assist corporations and businesses which are not under criminal investigation but instead are concerned that they are actually the victims of their own employee’s criminal misconduct.  Embezzlement is common and the perpetrator is usually someone who is trusted by their employer.  

Federal and State agencies are under-funded and overwhelmed by the volume of cases and it can be difficult to receive appropriate government attention. In such cases, our firm conducts its own internal investigation, the results of which are confidentially shared, leaving the employer with the option of handling the matter privately or turning over the now-complete investigation to government investigators for potential arrest and prosecution. Of course, financial restitution is aggressively pursued. 

In a recent case, our firm conducted an internal investigation of a major sports franchise, directly leading to a federal prosecution and the prompt recovery of an embezzled fourteen million dollars.

General Criminal Defense

Sometimes good people can find themselves entangled in other types of crimes, not necessarily White Collar.  Our firm has the experience to handle all levels of criminal defense in state and federal courts.  Most often these matters are referred to us by civil law attorneys whose clients seek their advice upon hearing of the existence of an investigation. Other times, a person can find themselves under arrest for minor offenses or misunderstandings with friends, family, or others. Most of our clients are first time offenders and know nothing about what to expect. Our firm is known for fully embracing clients in this position and guiding them, and their families, through these trying and difficult situations.

Consultation and Collaboration with Civil Counsel

Civil cases and lawsuits can reveal potential criminal law issues.  Portanova & Associates provides advice to counsel and, if appropriate, joint representation of clients with the goal of eliminating potential criminal exposure. Timely and appropriate assertions of constitutional rights are imperative, and successfully navigating the dangerous waters of hostile opponents requires skill in both defending cases and sometimes building cases against those who would do our clients harm.