WHITE COLLAR DEFENSE
& GOVERNMENT
INVESTIGATIONS

Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein offers clients the depth of experience necessary to fully understand the regulatory concerns of key government agencies, and to help clients make critical, timely decisions to mitigate the impact of government investigations and enforcement. We have represented clients facing federal government investigations into False Claims Act, loan fraud, bank fraud, insider trading, securities fraud, and more.

Two founding partners – Christine Adams and Adam Kamenstein – are highly recognized former federal prosecutors in Los Angeles who bring valuable credibility and a proven track record. Their experience helps ADK guide clients through complex inquiries and prepare efficient defense strategies for parallel government investigations, criminal and regulatory proceedings, and civil litigation.

Our firm represents corporate and university boards, individual directors, executives, individual targets, witnesses, and victims in criminal and regulatory investigations and prosecutions, as well as related civil actions. In addition to comprehensive defense strategies and creative problem-solving, ADK provides advice on strategic initiatives and crisis management.

Our team has experience with and applies the same high standards of the large, highly-ranked law firms in the country. Our trial and arbitration experience enables us to optimally position cases at their outset and effectively litigate alongside and against other preeminent firms. We use profound care and attention to detail to devise practical solutions that focus on our clients’ best interests to deliver the greatest possible value. We work tirelessly to secure the best outcome in every matter.

Led by highly seasoned former federal prosecutors, ADK is the preeminent choice of clients to mitigate the impact of regulatory enforcement, to advise on government investigations, and to defend against criminal prosecution. 

  • Representing a senior executive in the construction industry in a DOJ grand jury investigation into allegations of government fraud.

    Representing a well-known individual in a highly publicized Los Angeles political corruption case.

    Representing a Los Angeles deputy district attorney in an investigation by the California Attorney General’s Office.

    Representing an individual in a federal criminal investigation regarding allegations of bank, mail, and wire fraud and tax evasion, including allegations of more than 100 victims.

    Representing multiple individuals in a federal criminal investigation of loan- and investment-related fraud allegations.

    Representing a global accounting firm’s foreign subsidiary in an SEC investigation directed at an audit client.

    Represented a witness in a federal bribery case associated with a Hawaii-based engineering and architectural firm. The government had subpoenaed the witness to testify at trial, which could have violated her Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. When ADK informed the government that the client would assert her privilege, the government brought a motion to compel testimony. We opposed the motion and requested an ex parte hearing by the court to evaluate the validity of the witness’s assertion of the Fifth Amendment privilege. While the court granted our request for the ex parte hearing, the government ultimately declined to call our client to testify.

    Represented the CFO of a Los Angeles company who was served with a target letter by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. We made a presentation to attorneys from the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division, the Department of Justice Criminal Division Fraud Section, and the FBI. Not long after, the government informed us that they declined to bring criminal charges against our client.

    Represented an individual and entity in a federal investigation concerning allegations of federal criminal wrongdoing, including bribery and kickbacks, in the highly regulated alcoholic beverage industry. Ultimately, the government decided not to pursue the case against our client.

    Represented a CFO and public accountant in a criminal fraud investigation and a parallel civil False Claims Act investigation concerning the Paycheck Protection Program.

    Served as a consultant/expert witness in extradition proceedings in a high-profile case involving a foreign national indicted in an alleged multimillion-dollar wire fraud and money laundering in the Southern District of New York.

    Represented a business in a government kickback/bribery investigation.

    Represented a financial services company in a federal criminal investigation regarding allegations of identity theft and wire fraud.