Notable Cases

ACHG handles virtually every type of criminal matter—from pre-arrest investigations through formal prosecutions, trials and appeals in both the state and federal courts.

Our attorneys know that many of their most significant victories never reach a courtroom. These “quiet” success stories spare the clients and their families untold emotional trauma, embarrassment, and expense.

The firm is committed to achieving success at minimal cost to the client. At the same time, ACHG lawyers know that the surest avenue to success at even the earliest stages of the process is to have total command of the facts and of the law and to demonstrate to the prosecutor that we are thoroughly prepared to fight through trial and even appeal, if necessary.

Please click to see some of our most notable cases.

In United States v. An Individual, ACHG represented the former Corporate Vice President of a powerful Silicon Valley corporation. ACHG’s client and three other individuals were charged with conspiring to steal and with stealing trade secrets from their former company. After a month-long jury trial in the Northern District of California, the court entered a judgment of acquittal on all counts against ACHG’s client.
In United States v. A Fortune 50 Company, the company was charged with conspiring to distribute illegal prescription narcotics. After trial started, as a result of ACHG’s vigorous defense, the federal trial judge dismissed all 18 charges against the company and expressly found that the company was “factually innocent” of the charged crimes.
In United States v. An Individual, ACHG represented the CEO of a publicly traded, Silicon Valley software-support company. The CEO was a subject of a federal grand jury investigation in the Northern District of California for alleged criminal copyright infringement and trade secret theft. After presentations by ACHG, the federal prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against ACHG’s client.
In United States v. An Individual, ACHG represented an inventor of medical devices who was the founder and former CEO of a Silicon Valley company that was the subject of a federal grand jury investigation in the District of Massachusetts. The investigation related to alleged marketing of medical devices for procedures that had not been authorized by the F.D.A. After presentations by ACHG, the federal prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against ACHG’s client.
In People v. An Individual, ACHG represented a medical doctor charged in state court with numerous felony counts of conspiracy, grand theft and insurance fraud. After extensive pretrial litigation and numerous presentations to the prosecutor, all charges against ACHG’s client were dismissed.
In People v. An Individual, ACHG represented an individual in a state court appeal who had been convicted of nine commercial robberies and sentenced to serve 150 years to life in prison. ACHG convinced the California Court of Appeal for the Fifth Appellate District to overturn all of the individual’s convictions and the individual was released from prison.
In United States v. An Individual, the client and two others were charged with conspiracy to steal trade secrets from a powerful Silicon Valley Company. Prior to trial, after pre-trial litigation and lengthy presentations from ACHG, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all of the trade secret theft charges against ACHG’s client and to enter into a deferred prosecution agreement without an admission of guilt.
In People v. An Individual, the client was charged with more than 30 felony theft and security fraud counts in what the California Attorney General described as the largest ponzi scheme in the state’s history and the press referred to as California’s “Madoff Case.” The client, a partner in a financial consulting firm, faced a potential sentence of more than 25 years in prison. After the preliminary examination, which involved two weeks of hearings and extensive cross-examinations, ACHG lawyers succeeded in convincing the Attorney General to drop all felony charges against the client.
In United States v. An Individual, a former partner at KPMG was charged in the Southern District of New York with what the government described as the largest illegal abusive tax shelter in U.S. history. After lengthy pretrial litigation, ACHG succeeded in convincing the judge that all charges should be dismissed because of government misconduct. The government appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Teaming up with lawyers for the co-defendants, ACHG prevailed for the client on appeal. All charges against our client were dismissed.
In United States v. An Individual, the client was arrested in his home after police discovered a methamphetamine laboratory during a purported probation search. ACHG challenged the legality of the search. After losing a motion to suppress in United States District Court, ACHG appealed and won in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Thereafter, the government took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court where, after oral argument, ACHG convinced a unanimous Court to uphold the Ninth Circuit’s decision. The case against the client was dismissed.
In United States v. An Individual, the successor operator of a major energy plant accused the predecessor company’s manager of illegally dumping toxic materials. At trial, ACHG’s attorneys cross-examined the government’s star witness, proved that he was lying and that he was himself an environmental offender. After the prosecution rested its case, the judge dismissed all the charges against ACHG’s client, the former plant manager.
In People v. An Individual, a former number one draft pick for the Oakland Raiders who was charged with rape by drugging the complaining witness to induce unconsciousness. During the preliminary hearing, after ACHG lawyers aggressively cross-examined the complaining witness, her friends and the prosecution’s expert, all charges were dismissed.
In People v. An Individual, the client had been wrongfully convicted of shooting two men and was serving a 29-year sentence when his family came to ACHG. Pursuing the appeal process over seven years, the ACHG team eventually prevailed on a federal writ of habeas corpus. After representing the client in a re-trial, ACHG lawyers obtained dismissal of the shooting charges against the client and he was released from prison.