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Regulatory, Government Relations & White Collar Defense
Regulatory, Government Relations & White Collar Defense

White Collar Defense & Investigations

Insight from the Inside. Advocacy That Works.

At Winthrop & Weinstine, our White Collar Defense and Investigations practice is led by Kimberly Svendsen, a former federal prosecutor who spent nearly twenty years inside the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Justice. Her experience includes investigations, enforcement actions, and extensive jury trial work, involving agencies such as the IRS, SEC, FINRA, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She’s seen firsthand how complex cases are built, and now she uses that insight to protect and defend clients when the stakes are high. Her deep understanding of how government agencies think and operate allows her to anticipate challenges, develop smart strategies, and focus on practical, real-world solutions.

Our Approach

Our team represents banks, financial institutions, and others across the financial services industry, as well as individual executives at these organizations, in criminal investigations and prosecutions, regulatory compliance investigations, internal investigations, and enforcement actions, as well as civil fraud claims, RICO cases, qui tam lawsuits, and whistleblower litigation. We understand that each matter carries unique business, legal, and reputational implications—and we tailor our approach to protect what matters most to our clients.

Our approach is grounded in preparation, discretion, and perspective. We know that when you’re facing an investigation or allegation, when you’ve been contacted by local or federal law enforcement, or when you suspect an employee or customer of fraud, your business, reputation, and peace of mind are all on the line. That’s why we act quickly and thoughtfully, addressing problems early, keeping the process manageable, and working toward resolutions that let you get back to what matters most.

At Winthrop, we combine the know-how of former government insiders with the creativity and collaboration that defines our firm. The result? Practical, focused advocacy that gets results—and a partner who stands beside you every step of the way.

Focus

  • Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) preparation and submission
  • Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance
  • Bank fraud
  • Bankruptcy fraud
  • Mail & wire fraud
  • Money laundering & fraud
  • Elder abuse & fraud
  • Anti-bribery and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-kickback laws
  • Anti-trust and price-fixing
  • Debarment and exclusion
  • Elections and campaign finance
  • False Claims Act & Qui Tam defense
  • Forfeiture
  • Internal investigations
  • Licensure
  • Real estate and mortgage fraud
  • Research fraud
  • Securities fraud
  • Tax evasion and reporting