Brad Bondi’s Leading Litigation and White Collar & Investigations Practice in Washington

With over two decades of victories in high-stakes litigation and defending against government investigations and prosecutions, Brad Bondi has earned the reputation of being the lawyer to see in Washington, D.C., if you face the most challenging legal problems. His clients in battles against the DOJ, SEC and other top tier private counsel have included the largest public companies, financial institutions, billionaires, tech entrepreneurs and government officials. Admired for his strategic vision, fierce competitiveness and dedication to his clients, Bondi has obtained significant victories against the most daunting odds.

The Paul Hastings partner has represented some of the biggest companies in some of the most high profile matters, and the list of cases where he’s served as the lead lawyer is impressive: Tesla in the famous take-private tweets case with the SEC; Trevor Milton, the billionaire founder of Nikola in his criminal trial; six hospital companies that sued Allianz over hedge funds that imploded at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic; Princess Cruise Lines in the largest environmental prosecution in history; SuperCooler in a major IP and breach of contract lawsuit against Coca-Cola; and the DWAC SPAC in a merger-related trial against its sponsor involving several hundred million in stock. And these reported matters only scratch the surface of his momentous victories, many of which happen outside the public eye in confidential criminal and SEC investigations. “I am most proud of the ‘quiet’ victories that never make the news,” says Bondi. 

In addition to his practice, Bondi has served as an adjunct law professor of securities law for nearly twenty years, including most recently at Yale, Harvard and Georgetown; has written a leading treatise on insider trading law; and has served as a strategic advisor to public company boards of directors.

Bondi is recognized in the Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide.

Lawdragon: Can you describe for our readers the mix of work you do within your practice?

Brad Bondi: My practice is predominantly a mixture of high-stakes litigation, SEC enforcement investigations, criminal defense and trials, and board counseling. After 26 years of practicing, I have progressed to the point in my career where I allow others to handle the business-as-usual legal matters, so I can focus on defending against the true existential threats to clients. That is where I am most effective and in the highest demand. Most of the calls I receive are from clients who face the type of legal matters that threaten their existence as a company or institution, or, in the case of individuals facing a criminal prosecution, that threaten their very liberty. And more and more these days, I am being asked to replace another law firm that wasn’t effective for the client.

LD: What keeps you excited about the practice? 

BB: In the words of Andrew Jackson, “I was born for a storm, and a calm does not suit me.” I am the most competitive person I know, and I know a lot of competitive people. My team and I practice law at the highest level. I love challenges and am energized by helping clients navigate difficult situations against tough opponents. As long as I remain excited to go to work every morning and remain at the top of my game, I will keep doing this.

LD: What else do you find satisfying about it?

BB: There is nothing more satisfying in the legal practice than establishing the innocence of a client accused of committing a crime – whether it be through advocating to an Assistant United States Attorney not to charge that client or, if necessary, winning at trial. Clearing a client’s name and protecting their liberty is the most satisfying. It is why I continued to represent individual defendants, even though many of my clients are companies and financial institutions.

Clearing a client’s name and protecting their liberty is the most satisfying.

One of the biggest drivers for me has been the opportunity to work and grow with amazing and inspiring colleagues. Recently, my friend and colleague, Traci Zeller, who was the most talented lawyer I’ve ever encountered, passed away suddenly from a pulmonary embolism. Beyond her skills as a lawyer, Traci was an amazing person, and her passing has been difficult for me and my team. I’m pressing on to provide the best possible representation for the clients Traci loved to represent. Her legacy inspires me to be the best lawyer I can be and exemplifies the joy that comes from working alongside amazing people. 

LD: You often work in headline-grabbing cases. What skills are required to be successful in these high-profile matters?

BB: Those types of matters require careful navigation of many competing interests and multiple stakeholders. You must be able to appreciate and mitigate the impact on shareholders and employees, control the public narrative, manage client expectations, and orchestrate a winning strategy that often encompasses parallel legal proceedings.

LD: Speaking of high-profile matters, you recently obtained a major victory for your client, Digital World Acquisition Corporation in a merger-related trial in Delaware Chancery Court against its sponsor involving $180M in stock. How does that feel?

BB: It always feels great to win, particularly alongside a great team. I am proud of, and grateful for, my team who performed spectacularly and worked very hard. I couldn’t have done it without them.

LD: What advice do you have for junior lawyers aspiring to be like you?

BB: Not only do you have to be intelligent, possess excellent writing and oral advocacy skills, and work long hours, you also must have to possess passion, drive and hunger. And I cannot underscore enough the importance of passion, but as Enzo Ferrari said, “You cannot describe passion, you can only live it.”

LD: You have been active with philanthropies and pro bono. You have been a foster parent, adopted two children, endowed scholarships at the University of Florida College of Law and the University of Virginia School of Law (the later in memory of your colleague, Traci Grieshaber Zeller), represent indigent clients, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council and other non-profit boards. How do you square your fierceness as a lawyer with your generosity and philanthropy?

BB: Lawyers have an obligation to help people of all walks of life, not just paying clients. I am a firm believer in pro bono, charity and giving back to the community. My faith as a Christian has guided me throughout all aspects of my life, and I take to heart the Biblical passage, “To whom much is given, much is required.” In everything I do, I want to be remembered as someone who fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.