“No attorney in Washington DC is as tenacious, skilled and hard working as Kelly Kramer.” 
Legal 500 USA 2020

Overview

Kelly Kramer is a partner in our Washington DC office and a co-chair of the firm’s Global Investigations & White Collar Defense practice. He represents companies and individuals in criminal cases and government investigations. Kelly has served as lead trial counsel in high-profile criminal cases, including multi-week trials against a former member of Congress and the president of one of the largest labor unions in the United States. He also conducts internal investigations on behalf of major companies, including management consulting firms, private equity funds, pharmaceutical companies, telecommunication companies, defense contractors, media companies and lobbying firms.

Kelly has broad experience in federal criminal, antitrust, and securities laws. He has represented companies and their executives in fraud, tax, cartel and money laundering investigations. He has deep experience with public corruption cases, including both domestic matters and cases arising under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as well as with criminal cartel cases. He also counsels multinational companies on enforcement risks arising out of employment and immigration matters.

Much of Kelly’s work is global, involving clients in Europe, Asia and the Americas. In 2009, he led a successful effort to dissolve restraining orders imposed on a Cayman Island hedge fund in a case that presented a question of first impression concerning the scope of the USA PATRIOT Act. More recently, he led the Government of Brazil’s efforts to secure the United States’ assistance in seeking to repatriate one of the world’s largest gems, the “Bahia Emerald,” on the basis of pending Brazilian criminal charges. Both cases have been closely watched by the legal media and international criminal lawyers in the United States and abroad.

Kelly has been repeatedly recognized for his legal skills. Legal 500 noted that he is “a tireless and persuasive advocate who develops creative solutions to difficult problems” (2020), “meticulous, charismatic and strategic” (2016), and it has lauded his “tenacity and high-level of skill in courtroom litigation” (2015), his “tremendous legal mind” and ability to provide a “rigorous defense in the courtroom" (2014), and his “deep expertise” with SEC matters (2012). Chambers USA has recognized Kelly for District of Columbia, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations since 2016.  Washingtonian Magazine and Super Lawyers have also recognized him as one of the top white-collar defense lawyers in Washington.

Áreas de Enfoque

Practicas
Cuestiones Clave

Lenguajes Hablados

  • English
Reflejos
Securities Investigations: Internal, Civil and Criminal
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Experiencia

Foreign Corruption Matters

  • Representing environmental services company in World Bank investigation relating to Latin American procurement project.
  • Represented one of the world’s largest private equity funds in due diligence involving a portfolio company’s operations in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
  • Represented a senior vice president of a global engineering consulting firm against FCPA charges arising out of conduct in India and Vietnam.
  • Represented multiple senior employees of a global tobacco company in an FCPA investigation involving conduct in Greece, Brazil, and Kyrgyzstan.
  • Represented a global telecommunications firm in investigating and resolving potential FCPA issues arising out of its operations in Brazil.

Domestic Public Corruption Matters

  • Represented former Congressman Richard Renzi on public corruption, money laundering, tax, and insurance fraud allegations.
  • Represented president of labor union in investigation of allegations of public corruption, fraud, tax evasion, and bank fraud.
  • Represented Korean conglomerate in US public corruption investigation.
  • Represented top aides to members of Congress and senior White House officials in connection with multiple public corruption investigations.
  • Represented prominent lobbying firms in connection with US public corruption investigations.

International Asset Forfeiture Matters

  • Representing the Government of Brazil in its dealings with the US Department of Justice relating to Brazil’s efforts to repatriate the “Bahia Emerald.”
  • Represented a Cayman Island hedge fund in a successful challenge to a restraining order issued at a foreign government’s request under the USA PATRIOT Act.

Criminal Antitrust Matters

  • Represented a Korean transportation company in criminal antitrust investigation and prosecution.
  • Represented a domestic industrial company in connection with an criminal antitrust investigation.
  • Represented a telecommunications company in an internal investigation and self-disclosure of potential bid rigging, resulting in no charges against the company.
  • Represented former president of Japanese company in connection with the DOJ’s criminal investigation of capacitor industry.
  • Represented multiple senior executives in connection with the DOJ’s criminal investigation into the auto parts industry.
  • Represented the US President of an Asian airline in connection with the DOJ’s investigation of the air cargo industry.

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Noticias

Educación

University of Pennsylvania, JD, cum laude

The College of William & Mary, BA, cum laude

Admisiones

Bar

  • Nueva York
  • District of Columbia

Corte

  • US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
  • US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • US District Court for the District of Columbia
  • US District Court for the Southern District of New York

Membresías

  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
  • Member of the Edward Bennett Williams American Inn of Court
  • Member of The Barristers in Washington DC