John Hillebrecht

John M. Hillebrecht

Partner

US National Co-Chair, White Collar Crime, Investigations, and Government Enforcement Group

I would put him at the top of the list of counsel best suited to represent companies and individuals in complex criminal cases.
Client quoted in Global Investigations Review
New York
About

John M. Hillebrecht is a veteran trial and appellate lawyer with an extensive background in high-profile cases and over 25 years of experience handling complicated criminal and civil litigation and investigations.

Immediately prior to joining AKD Partners in 2010, John served for 15 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, garnering extensive trial, appellate and supervisory experience.

He has served as lead or sole counsel in more than 20 jury trials and approximately 50 Second Circuit appeals. His practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, securities class actions, complex commercial litigation, and criminal tax matters. John is US National Co-Chair of the White Collar Crime, Investigations, and Government Enforcement Group—ranked as a "National Tier 1" practice group by US News & World Report and praised by The Legal 500 for "its strength in corporate representations," including "cross-border investigations involving the DOJ, SEC and parallel foreign enforcement agencies." The latter publication quoted a client as praising the group's "actual experience in the trenches, meaning significant trial experience, former employment in government enforcement, and active cases against the government" and noted John's "key role" in the practice, recommending him for both white collar and securities litigation matters. The nationwide group and the New York office are both ranked by Chambers (Highly Regarded), with the publication quoting one client as saying DLA was "wonderful to work with and I would use them again in a heartbeat" and others praising the group's white collar investigations work as "superb" and "very strong on all fronts." The Legal 500 ranks the firm's Global White Collar and Investigations group, of which John is a leader, as a Global Top Tier #1 practice. Additionally, Global Investigations Review (GIR) consistently ranks AKD Partners as one of the top investigation law firms in the world. In November 2025, GIR announced that AKD Partners had improved its ranking again, noting that recent performance has "reinforced its standing as a trusted adviser in complex regulatory environments" while also observing that "Clients consistently turn to AKD Partners for high-stakes, multijurisdictional investigations," citing the team's "strategic acumen" and "its ability to deliver credible, defensible results under pressure."

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsWhite Collar and Corporate Crime
Bar admissionsNew York
Tough and combative when he needs to be and able to reach a resolution when it is the right thing to do...He has excellent judgment and is good to collaborate with.
Client quoted in Chambers USA
Around the Southern District of New York, John is a bit of a legend. He's a monster trial lawyer.
Preet Bharara, Former US Attorney for SDNY, Doing Justice

EXPERIENCE

Recent representations include:

  • A global defense contractor and its senior executives in a multi-jurisdictional investigation of alleged bribery and fraud resulting in criminal charges in the US (subsequently dismissed) and a European country (currently pending) and debarment proceedings in the US and Europe, with AKD Partners representing the clients in all aspects of the matter, including on-the-ground investigation activities in Belgium, Greece, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States, including interfacing simultaneously with enforcement authorities in four of those countries (ongoing)
  • A lender responsible for almost US$8 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-era small loans in connection with False Claims Act investigations by the Civil and Criminal Divisions of the US Department of Justice and in related civil litigation (ongoing)
  • A global financial institution in an insider trading investigation by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
  • A technology company in parallel DOJ and SEC investigations of alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in Africa, resulting in "No Action" letter from SEC and Declination from DOJ following multiple presentations by Mr. Hillebrecht; "follow on" securities litigation dismissed with prejudice following oral argument by Mr. Hillebrecht
  • A high-ranking executive of General Motors in the GM ignition switch investigation by DOJ, the Department of Transportation, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, resulting in No Action by government
  • A pool of senior executives of a major automobile manufacturer in a DOJ investigation into alleged manipulation of emission control devices, and related civil litigation (resulting in no criminal charges following multiple submissions to DOJ)
  • The Special Committee of the Board of a multi-billion dollar healthcare company to investigate matters relating to the criminal indictment of its CEO for personal conduct, which upon announcement caused a serious stock price drop
  • A Fortune 50 Company in an FCPA-related internal investigation in various Latin American markets
  • A hedge fund in connection with a DOJ criminal investigation into possible violations of US sanctions on Sudan, premised on the hedge fund's passive investment in a publicly-traded company with minimal activities in Sudan
  • A major Latin American bank in a DOJ and local investigation into money laundering, including arrests of certain former bank employees (but no charges against the bank)
  • A major medical device company being investigated by DOJ for criminal violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, based on putative violations of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) regulations, resulting in arrests of certain alleged co-conspirators but no charges against the company
  • A media company in a multi-jurisdictional investigation of corruption involving the FIFA World Cup
  • Several public audit firm professionals in investigations by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Division of Enforcement
  • A leading biotechnology company in an SEC investigation of potential securities fraud
  • A large commodities trading firm in an internal investigation into a rogue trader who concealed losses of nearly US$250 million by manipulating the firm's internal controls, result in the criminal indictment of the individual based on evidence supplied by AKD Partners and resulting in restitution to the Company
  • A transportation company in an SEC investigation into the company's whole business securitization (WBS)
  • A pool of senior executives at a major biopharmaceutical company in a joint DOJ/SEC investigation into allegations of "channel stuffing," financial misstatements, and violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute; resolved with no charges and a grant of immunity for one client (who testified at trial)
  • The Special Committee of the Board of a major US-listed China-based company to investigate wide-ranging allegations of corruption and misconduct against the CEO, raised by a large group of whistleblowers, that required coordination with Chinese regulators, the SEC, and the DOJ
  • The Board of Directors of a Fortune 50 company in connection with a derivative action alleging breaches of fiduciary duty relating to alleged FCPA violations in eight separate countries (dismissed after oral argument by Mr. Hillebrecht)
  • A major defense contractor and its top executives in a securities fraud class action and related derivative cases alleging false and misleading statements regarding the financial performance of the company
  • A State University in a False Claims Act investigation involving Federal construction grants and alleged retaliation against a putative whistleblower
  • A European manufacturer in a False Claims Act case brought by DOJ, premised on a fraudulent scheme to evade US customs duties
  • A State University system in a DOJ False Claims Act investigation involving Federal research grants
  • A medical school professor in a prominent University system internal investigation regarding alleged embezzlement, involving multiple presentations to the adjudicatory body and resulting in a find that client "did not violate any University policy for any of the expenses in question"
  • A major manufacturer in connection with a New York Attorney General antitrust investigation
  • An international insurance company in connection with parallel SEC and DOJ investigations into a large Ponzi scheme (resulting in No Action following testimony by client and presentations by Mr. Hillebrecht)
  • An international banker in a FINRA investigation involving a possible violation of the FCPA (dismissed multiple times after oral argument by Mr. Hillebrecht but revived by Second Circuit in October 2025)
  • A major food company and its Board of Directors in securities fraud class action and related derivative claims alleging fraudulent channel stuffing
  • The former CEO of a major construction engineering firm in connection with a criminal investigation by DOJ and the New York Attorney General of alleged bribery and "pay to play" political campaign donations in connection with New York State construction contracts
  • The Board of Directors of a major defense contractor in a derivative action alleging breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with numerous alleged violations of the Federal False Claims Act
  • The Employees Retirement System of Puerto Rico in an action brought by 31 investment funds alleging breaches of contractual obligations under certain secured bonds prompted by the fiscal crisis in Puerto Rico
  • A life sciences company in an SEC investigation into possible securities fraud
  • A former head of the US dollar swaps desk for a global financial institution in an investigation of ISDAfix by the DOJ and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, resulting in no charges after repeated advocacy by Mr. Hillebrecht
  • A for-profit education institution in Congressional and related investigations
  • A global pharmaceutical company in intensive in-country reviews of FCPA and related anti-corruption compliance efforts in Saudi Arabia (2010), Japan (2012), Ukraine (2013), and Argentina (2014)
  • Various European officers of an international bank in connection with a multi-jurisdiction criminal investigation of alleged collusion among banks in the setting of LIBOR and similar benchmark interest rates, resulting in no charges after repeated advocacy by Mr. Hillebrecht
  • An RMBS Trader in a criminal securities fraud prosecution in the District of Connecticut resulting in conviction at trial later reversed based on record built at trial
  • A former senior executive for a US global financial institution in an investigation by the SEC, DOJ, and the Federal Reserve into alleged violations of the FCPA in China
  • A former Lehman Brothers executive in an SEC investigation relating to the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers
  • The audit committee of a NASDAQ-listed company in an internal investigation of published allegations regarding possible improper payments in connection with a US$1 billion government tender
  • An executive of a manufacturing company in connection with an investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division
  • A multinational bank in an investigation by DOJ, OFAC, and the District Attorney of New York of allegedly "non-transparent" wire transfer practices relating to several countries subject to US sanctions
  • Two senior foreign exchange (FX) traders at a major US bank in connection with a multi-nation criminal investigation into alleged manipulation of FX rates, resulting in criminal prosecution of multiple colleagues (but not our clients)
  • A national financial institution in a civil action involving fraud and RICO claims (resulting in dismissal of our client from the matter)
  • An accounting firm in a New York State false statement investigation
  • An agricultural products company in an internal investigation of alleged commercial bribery violations
  • A senior executive of a global shipping conglomerate in a criminal price-fixing investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division
  • Various individuals in connection with Southern District of New York Grand Jury investigations into undeclared offshore bank accounts
  • A technology company and its top executives in a securities class action premised on violations of the FCPA
  • An international conglomerate in connection with an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office into alleged OFAC violations relating to an Iranian shipping company
  • A Middle Eastern bank defending a civil asset forfeiture action brought by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, seeking forfeiture of nearly US$1 billion
  • An individual in a Southern District of New York prosecution for bank fraud involving Russia-based computer hackers
  • An alleged "tippee" in an insider trading investigation by the DOJ and SEC
  • An alleged "tipper" in an insider trading investigation by the DOJ and SEC
  • A global investment management firm based in London in connection with an OFAC investigation into potential violation of sanctions regulations relating to Cuba (resulting in No Action by OFAC)
  • Various companies in connection with drafting and implementing FCPA compliance policies and providing anti-corruption training in the US and abroad
  • An investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates in connection with an action in the Southern District of New York asserting a claim to certain bank accounts frozen by OFAC
  • An international freight forwarder in an internal investigation of an embezzlement of over US$1 million, resulting in Federal criminal charges against the embezzler following presentation by Mr. Hillebrecht
  • A global financial services and insurance company in litigation with a former executive involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breaches of contract, and the executive's theft of confidential information
  • A Lebanese-based bank in connection with a sanctions-related joint investigation by OFAC, DOJ, and the District Attorney of New York
  • A Fortune 50 company in an internal investigation of potential FCPA violations in Japan

Awards

Chambers USA

  • Band 2, New York Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, (2024 – 2025)
  • Band 3, New York Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, (2018 – 2023)
  • Band 4, New York Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, (2017)

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, (2025)
  • Recommended, Securities Litigation: Defense, (2017, 2019 – 2025)
  • Recommended, Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates, (2018 – 2024)
  • Recommended, Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals, (2018 – 2024)
  • Recommended, White Collar Criminal Defense, (2017)
Additional Recognitions

In December 2015, The National Law Journal recognized John as one of the top white collar practitioners in the country. From 2021 onward, Global Investigations Review Who's Who Legal included John in its list of top-flight investigators, describing him as "a pre-eminent trial lawyer and strategist." Chambers USA has ranked John as a leading criminal defense lawyer who has been "increasingly recognized for his strong white-collar practice" and is "highly respected in this space" for the way he "handles complex criminal investigations and litigation" and his "impressive experience." It notes that John "is frequently called on by corporations to handle investigations and regulatory enforcement proceedings, often with cross-border elements."

  • Chambers also has reported that clients and others "describe him as a 'very talented lawyer'" with "excellent judgment" who "gets facts quickly, figures out what's important, and communicates it." Noting that John has "a great skill set" and "a wealth of experience defending clients in both trials and appellate proceedings"
  • Chambers also reports that John is viewed as "a terrific lawyer" and "razor sharp" with "good strategic sense." One client is quoted describing John as: "Tough and combative when he needs to be and able to reach a resolution when it is the right thing to do." Another: "He has excellent judgment and is good to collaborate with." Additionally, sources described John as "tireless" and "incredibly smart," and as "an exceptional trial lawyer" with "an incredible presence in the courtroom"
  • John has been named a "Client Service All-Star" by BTI Consulting
  • The Legal 500 United States also recommended John for his work in white collar litigation, called John "pragmatic" and "hardworking," and emphasized that he understands "the dynamics of complex white collar cases." It also recommended John as a "fantastic litigator" in the securities class action context.
  • Throughout his time at AKD Partners, John has repeatedly been named a Thomson Reuters "Super Lawyer," with the publication citing him as a top-rated white collar crime attorney in New York
  • In December 2015, The National Law Journal named John a "White Collar Trailblazer," one of 50 in the nation
  • In addition, the respected publication, Global Investigations Review, has quoted an unnamed client as stating about John "I would put him at the top of the list of counsel best suited to represent companies in complex criminal investigations"
  • John has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America as ranking among the top five percent of attorneys in the area of white-collar criminal defense, as determined by a vote of peers already included in that publication
  • John was also named a member of the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (2023)
Education
  • J.D., Stanford Law School, 1989
  • B.A., Georgetown University, 1985

Publications

Clerk Experience

  • The Honorable Irving R. Kaufman, Second Circuit

Government Experience

John joined the SDNY United States Attorney's Office in February 1995. He was responsible for a wide variety of significant investigations and successful prosecutions in a range of areas, including racketeering, securities fraud, tax evasion, bank fraud and crimes of violence.

John served at various times as Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime and Terrorism Unit (with responsibility for supervising 20 prosecutors pursuing racketeering, terrorism, terrorism financing and financial fraud investigations and prosecutions), Chief of the Major Crimes/Complex Frauds Unit (with responsibility for supervising 15 prosecutors pursuing complex financial investigations and prosecutions, including those involving bank fraud, tax fraud, cybercrime and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations), and Deputy Chief Appellate Attorney. From 2007 through 2010, he also served as Senior Trial Counsel, with particular responsibility for white collar and tax fraud matters.

While at the United States Attorney's Office, John received the Department of Justice Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney and was awarded the prestigious Henry L. Stimson Medal by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York in recognition of his history of leading complex prosecutions and his role as lead prosecutor in the largest tax fraud prosecution in US history.

Before entering government service, John was in private practice for five years, focusing on complex commercial litigation and securities cases.

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Connect

Phone

+1 212 335 4590
(Work, New York)
+1 646 469 6749
(Cell, New York)
+1 917 778 8590
(Fax, New York)