Alec D. Chiquoine
When the stakes are high, preparation is everything.
Contact: P /612.604.6806E /[email protected]
Administrative Contact: Sherry Ernster P /612.604.6636E /[email protected]
Education
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2014
Beloit College, B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude, 2007
Bar Admissions
Minnesota, 2014
U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Cir., 2015
U.S. District Court, D. Minn, 2015
My Approach
Complex disputes rarely turn on a single fact or issue; they are often the result of hundreds of details that must be understood, organized, and strategically addressed. Drawing upon my past experience as a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and in-house counsel leading investigations and global litigation for a major U.S. multinational company, I help clients assess the risks they face, mitigate those risks, make informed decisions, and advance their objectives with a strategy grounded in practical judgment and an eye for detail.
Whether I am handling a commercial dispute, responding to a government inquiry, defending my clients’ constitutional rights, or helping them work through a difficult business problem, my focus is on understanding the facts, identifying the issues that matter most, and building a path toward the best possible outcome. I am drawn to matters involving complicated facts, large volumes of information, and novel legal issues. I enjoy assembling the pieces of a complex puzzle and developing a compelling, well-supported narrative that advances my clients’ interests. There’s no substitute for diligence, preparation, and genuine partnership. Clients need an attorney who will listen, understand their concerns, and work relentlessly to solve their unique problems. I take that responsibility seriously and strive to provide thoughtful advocacy and unwavering commitment at every stage of a matter.
Outside of work, you’ll most often find me chasing my kids around at sporting events and playdates. I’m also a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and I enjoy learning more through books, travel, and visits to his iconic homes and buildings.
Practice Areas
Practicing Business & Commercial Litigation
My Experience
I help businesses, executives, and individuals navigate complex disputes, investigations, criminal indictments, and high-stakes litigation, with significant experience in matters involving fraud, bribery, anti-money laundering, theft of trade secrets and intellectual property, subpoena responses, crypto- and blockchain-related dilemmas, contract breaches, product labeling, and employment disputes. Earlier in my career, I served as a federal prosecutor, where I gained invaluable court and trial experience, and led an in-house investigations team for a major U.S. multinational company. These diverse experiences allow me to see matters from multiple perspectives and develop practical strategies that account for legal risk, business objectives, and the realities clients face when significant challenges arise.
Representative Matters
- Counseled a cross-border e-commerce supply chain services provider responding to multiple U.S. government investigations and enforcement actions, and a series of commercial disputes with U.S. counterparties.
- Advised a U.S. Congressional Committee staffers in connection with an insider trading inquiry.
- Represented a foreign national facing a federal indictment for computer fraud and other charges related to the operation of largest “botnet” that allegedly used illicit VPN services to defraud customers and other federal programs out of billions of dollars.
- Represented a Japanese national whistleblower in a DOJ bribery investigation.
- Represented a cryptocurrency mining and lending company, as well as its CEO, against a federal investigation involving alleged investment fraud relating to cryptocurrency investments.
- Defended a foreign national against a federal indictment charging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering for allegedly orchestrating a $260 million “social engineering” crypto heist.
- Successfully defended a foreign national who marketed a newly developed blockchain defi protocol against charges of fraud and the offering of an unregistered security brought by the Texas State Securities Board (TSSB), obtaining a complete dismissal of all charges.
- Secured the full dismissal, with prejudice, of federal bank fraud charges against a real estate investment executive based on government misconduct. Subsequently negotiated a six figure mediation award for the executive after the D&O insurer initially refused coverage.
- Obtained an acquittal for a city councilman on criminal charges that he improperly assisted a voter in casting a ballot and ultimately had the law declared unconstitutional on preemption grounds.
- Negotiated a misdemeanor plea for a client originally charged with numerous felonies alleging millions of dollars in medical assistance fraud.
- Represented the CEO of a medical device manufacturing company against False Claims Act charges.
- Conducted internal investigations for a medical device manufacture related to alleged violations of anti-kickback statutes.
- Coordinated and oversaw federal and state subpoena responses for a national pharmaceutical manufacturer related to parallel criminal and civil drug marketing investigations.
- Represented a client estate in front of major global financial institution in effort to release and transfer decedent’s assets from the U.S.
- Recovered more than US $7.5 million for a Saudi-based investment fund after it fell victim to a sophisticated phishing and fraud scheme.
- Counseled U.S. investment fund in pursuing recovery of assets seized by the US Department of Justice in a sanctions evasion and anti-money laundering prosecution where client fund cooperated with the government and was a victim of the underlying fraud.
- Represented private equity principal in employment dispute involving claims for breach of employment and limited partnership agreements, discrimination, and retaliation.
- Representation in filing arbitration for wrongful termination by asset management company, breaches of employment contract, wage theft, and discrimination.
- Secured a favorable settlement for a large, regional credit union accused of red-lining mortgage lending practices.
- Represented a major window manufacturer pursuing product defect claims worth over $200 million against a supplier, winning partial summary judgment which ultimately resulted in a favorable settlement.
Please note that some of the transactions listed above were done at a prior firm.