The law firm of Venable LLP announced in recent days that Jan L. Handzlik, who is recognized as one of the country’s leading white-collar crime defense lawyers, has joined the firm as a partner in its Los Angeles office in its national SEC/White-Collar Group.
Handzlik joins from Greenberg Traurig, where he was also a partner. He is a nationally recognized authority on financial frauds, securities enforcement, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and export control matters. He has represented a variety of companies and individuals in the full spectrum of white-collar criminal investigations and prosecutions, including matters regarding allegations of environmental crimes, antitrust violations, tax fraud, financial institution fraud and healthcare fraud, as well as foreign bribery, government contract and export control matters. In addition, he handles complex civil business litigation.
Handzlik also has significant experience with conducting corporate internal investigations, designing law-compliance programs and advising public companies on corporate governance, disclosure and reporting issues. As well, he is an experienced trial attorney, with almost 100 jury trials to verdict. He lectures widely on trial practice, professional ethics and business fraud, and he has also served as independent monitor of a publicly traded company’s compliance with the FCPA and U.S. securities laws.
Internationally, Handzlik often leads investigations into allegations of bribery of foreign officials, violations of the export control and foreign asset control laws, and anti-competition matters. On a worldwide basis, he also seeks the recovery of assets stemming from criminal activity. Handzlik deals with all aspects of white-collar crime matters, including internal investigations, grand jury and enforcement investigations, regulatory and parallel civil and administrative proceedings, and representation at trial and on appeal.
Handzlik has been recognized countless times, in all volumes of The Best Lawyers in America and in PLI’s The International Who’s Who of Business Crime Lawyers; Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers; Euromoney’s Guide to the World’s Leading Litigation Lawyers; Mondaq’s Guide to the World’s Leading White Collar Crime Advisors; Lawdragon’s Leading Lawyers in America; and in California Lawyer Magazine as one of California’s Leading Business Lawyers.
Handzlik is also a prominent member of the California Bar. He has served on several boards and investigative commissions. Notable assignments include serving as Counsel to the Independent Warren Christopher Commission and Deputy General Counsel to the Independent William Webster Commission in investigations of the Los Angeles Police Department; Deputy General Counsel to the Rampart Independent Review Panel’s investigation into police corruption and officer-involved shootings; and as a Member of the Rampart After-Action Assessment Panel. In addition, he is also active in pro bono matters in the Los Angeles community.
Venable’s Managing Partner, Karl Racine was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “Jan is one of the country’s preeminent white collar defense attorneys, with an enviable trial experience and track record of winning successful outcomes for clients. Not only does he have a superb track record for his clients, but Jan is particularly adept at managing matters that involve intense media scrutiny and reputational risks for clients. Jan is well recognized for his dedication to the Bar, participating heavily in the ABA’s National White Collar Crime Committee, of which he is a former Chairman. We look forward to practicing alongside him and to benefiting from his knowledge and experience in complex criminal and civil litigation matters. It is an honor to welcome him to Venable.”
Handzlik was quoted as saying: “Venable has one of the nation’s leading litigation and business crime defense practices. Venable lawyers have extensive experience directing sensitive investigations, responding to enforcement actions, defending against criminal prosecutions and handling sophisticated civil litigation matters. I’ve known and worked with many of the firm’s highly respected lawyers for years, and am delighted to join the group.”
An American Lawyer Global 100 law firm, Venable LLP was founded in Baltimore in 1900. The firm has seven offices around the country and over 500 attorneys practicing in 70 plus practice and industry areas, including corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property and regulatory and government affairs.