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Mike Shepard, a partner in our Special Matters & Government Investigations practice, is a highly accomplished former federal prosecutor with extensive experience in white-collar criminal defense,  civil trials, and internal investigations.

A former Chief of the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division and Interim U.S. Attorney in Chicago, Mike understands how federal prosecutors and regulators work. He leverages this experience and his excellent reputation with government lawyers to keep clients out of the limelight against all odds. 

If charges are brought, Mike has won many high-profile trials.  He is a Regent of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is widely recognized as “one of the superstars in white-collar litigation and investigations”(Chambers).

Mike wrote the book on internal investigations into potential violations of the securities laws, and has conducted extensive investigations into a wide variety of other potential violations, including data privacy and health care fraud.  In his investigations into issues under Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), Mike has led inquiries in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States.  His experience and reputation allow him to run each investigation efficiently and sensitively while still satisfying prosecutors and regulators. 

When trials are necessary, Mike brings the experience from over forty cases related to a wide variety of issues including fraud, bribery and corruption, and tax violations.  He has won many high-profile victories, including his successful defense of the former CEO of JDS Uniphase in the largest securities fraud class action ever to go to trial. In addition, Mike regularly represents indigent criminal defendants.

His government experience includes the investigation of many high-profile public corruption and fraud cases.  And during his tenure as Chief of the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice, he was responsible for the government’s most sensitive investigations. 

Prior to joining King & Spalding, Mike was a partner with Hogan Lovells where he served as Managing Partner of the San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Stanford Law School, Order of the Coif

A.B., Princeton University, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

California

Illinois

Judicial Clerk, to the Honorable Walter J. Cummings, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Illinois State Bar Association

Member, State Bar of California

Member, Wong Sun Society of San Francisco

Northern District Court of California

Northern District Court of Illinois

President, WE Sanders Foundation

Regent, American College of Trial Lawyers

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

Top Ranked Lawyer, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations


Chambers USA, California (2007-2022)

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (California)


Chambers USA, 2009-PRESENT

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement (Nationwide)


Chambers USA, 2012-2013

Criminal Defense: White-Collar


The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017

White Collar Crimes


Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005-2016

Antitrust


Legal 500 US, 2010

Criminal Defense


Corporate Counsel, 2009

Close

Recognition

Top Ranked Lawyer, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations


Chambers USA, California (2007-2022)

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (California)


Chambers USA, 2009-PRESENT

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement (Nationwide)


Chambers USA, 2012-2013

Criminal Defense: White-Collar


The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017

White Collar Crimes


Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005-2016

Antitrust


Legal 500 US, 2010

Criminal Defense


Corporate Counsel, 2009

Credentials

J.D., Stanford Law School, Order of the Coif

A.B., Princeton University, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

California

Illinois

Judicial Clerk, to the Honorable Walter J. Cummings, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

Member, American Bar Association

Member, Illinois State Bar Association

Member, State Bar of California

Member, Wong Sun Society of San Francisco

Northern District Court of California

Northern District Court of Illinois

President, WE Sanders Foundation

Regent, American College of Trial Lawyers

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

Top Ranked Lawyer, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations


Chambers USA, California (2007-2022)

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (California)


Chambers USA, 2009-PRESENT

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement (Nationwide)


Chambers USA, 2012-2013

Criminal Defense: White-Collar


The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017

White Collar Crimes


Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005-2016

Antitrust


Legal 500 US, 2010

Criminal Defense


Corporate Counsel, 2009

Close

Recognition

Top Ranked Lawyer, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations


Chambers USA, California (2007-2022)

Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (California)


Chambers USA, 2009-PRESENT

Securities: Regulation: Enforcement (Nationwide)


Chambers USA, 2012-2013

Criminal Defense: White-Collar


The Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017

White Collar Crimes


Northern California Super Lawyers, 2005-2016

Antitrust


Legal 500 US, 2010

Criminal Defense


Corporate Counsel, 2009