White collar
Whether you’re facing allegations of fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, or other financial crimes, we understand the intricacies and provide strong defense.
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White collar crime is a category of non-violent criminal conduct typically committed in a business, professional, or financial context — for example fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, securities violations, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, and bank fraud. White collar cases are usually investigated by specialized agencies (the FBI, SEC, DOJ in the U.S.; RCMP, OSC, FINTRAC in Canada), often involve large volumes of financial records and electronic evidence, and frequently carry serious consequences including imprisonment, restitution, asset forfeiture, and professional licensing impacts.
Do not speak with investigators without counsel present, even if you are told you are not a target. Anything you say can be used against you, and white collar investigations frequently start with subjects who have been described as witnesses. Politely decline to speak, ask for the investigator’s name and contact information, and call defense counsel immediately. Do not destroy, alter, or move any documents or electronic files — preservation obligations may already be in place, and document destruction is itself a separate criminal offense. Contact us as soon as practicable.
Yes. Communications between you and your defense lawyer are protected by solicitor-client privilege (Canada) and attorney-client privilege (United States). These protections apply from the very first conversation, including initial intake calls, regardless of whether you ultimately retain the firm. The privilege protects the substance of your communications from being compelled in court or investigations, with very narrow exceptions. We discuss the scope and limits of privilege at the start of every engagement.
Investigations typically proceed through several phases: initial intelligence gathering, document subpoenas and production demands, witness interviews, search warrants or production orders, grand jury proceedings (in the U.S.), and ultimately a charging decision. Each phase has procedural rights and strategic options that should be exercised carefully. Defense counsel’s role during investigation is to manage information flow, protect privilege, negotiate scope of production, prepare witnesses for testimony, and identify defenses or off-ramps before charges are filed.
Often, yes. The vast majority of white collar cases are resolved through plea negotiations, deferred prosecution agreements, non-prosecution agreements, or pre-charge resolution. Each option has different consequences for record, sentencing, restitution, professional licensing, and immigration status. Whether resolution or trial is the right strategy depends on the specific evidence, the strength of the government’s case, the client’s exposure, and what kind of outcome the client can realistically achieve through each path. We discuss these options openly with every client.
Yes. Cross-border white collar matters are particularly complex because the two countries have different statutes, different investigative procedures, different evidence rules, and different sentencing regimes — and the same conduct can sometimes give rise to parallel proceedings in both countries. Because Mayo Law is licensed in both Ontario and New York, we handle matters that involve coordinated proceedings, extradition issues, mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) requests, and the interaction between Canadian and US enforcement agencies. Cross-border immigration and travel implications of US criminal proceedings are also part of the analysis.
Defense fees vary substantially based on case complexity, volume of evidence, length of investigation, whether trial is involved, and the number of parties and jurisdictions involved. Some matters can be handled on hourly billing; others involve flat fee arrangements for specific phases (pre-charge, plea negotiation, trial). We provide a clear written fee structure at the start of each engagement and discuss budget transparently as the matter develops. The cost of competent defense should be weighed against the potential consequences — including incarceration, fines, restitution, professional license loss, and immigration impact.
Yes. Companies facing suspected internal wrongdoing — embezzlement, fraud, regulatory violations, harassment — often need independent internal investigations conducted under privilege to determine what happened, mitigate exposure, and prepare for any subsequent government inquiry. We conduct internal investigations for corporate clients, including interview protocols, document preservation, parallel proceedings with regulators, and reporting to boards or audit committees. Findings shape the company’s response strategy — voluntary disclosure, remediation, and personnel decisions.
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