John Lauro: A Premier Trial Lawyer Renowned for Expertise in Complex Litigation and White-Collar Defense

John F. Lauro stands out as a highly accomplished trial lawyer with extensive experience navigating the complexities of both criminal and commercial litigation. His career is distinguished by a consistent record of success in high-stakes cases, often involving intricate financial issues such as accounting irregularities, securities violations, conspiracy charges, and healthcare fraud. Mr. Lauro’s adept handling of white-collar crime and commercial disputes has earned him significant recognition and a reputation for achieving favorable outcomes for his clients, even in matters that attract considerable public and media attention.

Throughout his career, John Lauro has secured notable victories that underscore his legal acumen. He notably obtained a Rule 29 acquittal in a prominent federal criminal case for the former president of a national healthcare company, who faced serious accusations related to federal securities and conspiracy laws. In another landmark case, Mr. Lauro successfully defended an individual in the first-ever “dot-com securities fraud” case in federal court in Manhattan, resulting in a complete jury acquittal on all counts. His client roster also includes high-profile figures, such as a well-known sports personality whom he represented against federal wire fraud charges linked to gambling activities. Furthermore, Mr. Lauro demonstrated his prowess in civil litigation by securing the dismissal of all civil claims against a Middle Eastern banking institution in connection with the complex 9/11 litigation in New York, a case that reached the Supreme Court, which ultimately denied review. Adding to his record of success, he also obtained a multi-million dollar judgment for an international jewelry manufacturer defrauded by a New York investment advisor.

John Lauro’s foundation for his successful legal career was built on a strong academic background and early engagement in public service. Growing up in New York, he pursued higher education at Georgetown University, graduating magna cum laude. Even as a college student, Mr. Lauro exhibited a commitment to public affairs by being elected as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner in the District of Columbia. In this role, he dedicated his efforts to the development of the Georgetown waterfront and addressed various constituent concerns, demonstrating an early aptitude for leadership and public service. Continuing his education at Georgetown University Law Center, he again graduated magna cum laude and served as an editor of the prestigious Georgetown Law Journal, honing his legal scholarship and analytical skills.

John Lauro Chambers USA Ranking

Mr. Lauro’s early career trajectory included valuable experiences in both the public and private sectors. After law school, he began his practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, a renowned international law firm, gaining exposure to complex legal matters in a global context. He then transitioned to public service, joining the criminal division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. As a federal prosecutor, he gained invaluable trial experience and developed a deep understanding of federal criminal law. Following his government service, Mr. Lauro established his private practice in Florida, becoming a partner at a national law firm before ultimately founding The Lauro Law Firm in 1994. This firm, now known as Lauro & Singer, has expanded to include offices in both New York and Florida, operating as a national practice and reflecting Mr. Lauro’s broad reach and influence in the legal field.

John Lauro’s commitment to the legal profession extends beyond his courtroom successes. He is an active participant in the legal community, frequently contributing to continuing legal education programs and engaging in writing and speaking engagements on topics ranging from environmental compliance and healthcare enforcement to trial evidence, securities compliance, and federal sentencing. His expertise is widely recognized through prestigious accolades. He is a Fellow in The American College of Trial Lawyers, a testament to his exceptional trial skills, and has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers, peer-reviewed publications that highlight the top legal talent in the nation. Further enhancing his credentials, Mr. Lauro is a graduate of The Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, an institution known for its intensive trial advocacy training. Beyond his legal practice and academic contributions, John Lauro serves as a legal contributor to major news networks including Fox News Network, ABC News, and MSNBC, providing expert analysis on legal issues of public interest and further solidifying his position as a thought leader in the legal domain.

Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year Award for John Lauro

Litigated Matters: A Record of Success in Diverse Cases

Mr. Lauro’s extensive litigation experience encompasses a wide array of complex cases, demonstrating his versatility and effectiveness as a trial lawyer. His successful representations include:

• Defending the CEO of an HMO against charges of filing false statements with a state regulatory agency, resulting in the charges being dropped just before trial.
• Representing a high-level healthcare executive in a complex healthcare fraud trial that spanned over three months and involved intricate accounting and medical economic issues.
• Representing an investment advisor facing felony criminal charges, achieving a resolution with a misdemeanor plea after an initial hung jury, showcasing his negotiation and strategic skills.
• Representing an international charity in a dispute over the purchase of Degas artwork, based on allegations of false representations by the art dealer, demonstrating his ability to handle diverse litigation types beyond financial crimes.
• Securing an acquittal on racketeering and conspiracy charges for an entertainment industry executive, highlighting his skill in defending against serious federal charges.
• Obtaining a verdict exceeding a million dollars against an airline for a passenger injured in a forced landing, illustrating his success in personal injury and commercial disputes.
• Resolving claims brought by the FDIC against former bank directors, showcasing his expertise in banking litigation and regulatory matters.
• Achieving the dismissal of all charges against a healthcare professional accused of practicing medicine without a license, reflecting his commitment to defending individuals in professional licensing disputes.
• Obtaining injunctive relief in federal court for a national securities broker-dealer related to the hiring of a former employee, demonstrating his capabilities in employment and securities litigation.
• Representing a major healthcare provider and securing the dismissal of a qui tam case filed by a former physician employee, showcasing his expertise in healthcare litigation and whistleblower defense.
• Obtaining dismissal of charges against an eye surgeon accused of substandard medical practices, further highlighting his success in defending healthcare professionals.
• Assisting in the successful defense of an attorney acquitted of federal racketeering and conspiracy charges related to an insurance company failure, showcasing his collaborative skills and expertise in complex criminal defense.
• Obtaining injunctive relief in federal court under the Lanham Act against a competitor of a national jewelry manufacturer for unfair and deceptive trade practices, demonstrating his versatility in intellectual property and commercial litigation.
• Securing the dismissal of all civil racketeering and securities claims against a financial executive in a class action suit, highlighting his ability to navigate complex civil litigation.
• Contributing to the successful defense of a defense contractor employee accused of lying to federal agents, further demonstrating his experience in cases involving federal investigations and defense contracting.

John Lauro Super Lawyers Recognition

Investigations and Resolved Matters: Proactive Legal Counsel

Beyond litigation, John Lauro provides crucial counsel in investigations and pre-litigation matters, often resolving issues favorably before they escalate into protracted legal battles. His experience includes representing:

• Major hospitals in resolving federal OIG investigations and qui tam cases related to billing and coding practices, demonstrating his proactive approach to regulatory compliance.
• A high-ranking employee of a national hospital chain in an investigation concerning hospital cost reports, showcasing his expertise in internal investigations and corporate compliance.
• Individuals under investigation in South Korea and Singapore for alleged violations of US antitrust laws, highlighting his international reach and expertise in global regulatory matters.
• A ticket reseller company in a New York Attorney General investigation, demonstrating his experience in state-level regulatory inquiries.
• A high-ranking executive at a public company concerning potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, emphasizing his expertise in FCPA compliance and international business law.
• Employees of an insurance brokerage firm in a fraud investigation by the New York Attorney General, showcasing his experience in the insurance industry and fraud-related investigations.
• A university in a trade secret theft case involving a former student-employee, highlighting his versatility in handling intellectual property disputes in academic settings.
• A hospital in connection with an alleged violation of a biohazardous waste statute, demonstrating his expertise in environmental compliance within the healthcare sector.
• The owner of psychiatric facilities in a federal anti-kickback investigation, showcasing his knowledge of healthcare regulations and fraud prevention.
• An executive employed by a national healthcare company under investigation for kickback activities related to physician contracts, further emphasizing his focus on anti-kickback statutes and healthcare fraud.
• A regional securities brokerage firm in federal court class action litigation, demonstrating his experience in securities litigation and class action defense.
• A national engineering firm in an employee kickback investigation, highlighting his expertise in internal corporate investigations and fraud prevention in various industries.
• A circuit board manufacturer in criminal environmental charges under the Clean Water Act brought by the Department of Justice, showcasing his experience in environmental criminal defense.
• A soil remediation company regarding alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act, further demonstrating his expertise in environmental law and regulatory compliance.
• A key financial advisor of a publicly traded company accused of securities and fraud violations, highlighting his expertise in high-stakes securities fraud cases.
• A physician accused of racketeering by insurance companies due to the use of an innovative surgical procedure, showcasing his defense of healthcare professionals against complex charges.
• The CEO of a national education company in connection with alleged securities law violations, demonstrating his experience in representing corporate executives in securities matters.
• A national bank in a Florida Attorney General’s Office investigation of lending practices, highlighting his experience in banking regulation and state-level investigations.
• A national automobile financing company in a fraud investigation and subsequent litigation against an insurance carrier, showcasing his versatility in handling fraud cases across different industries.
• A controller of a publicly traded company accused of securities violations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, demonstrating his experience with SEC enforcement actions.
• The CFO of a major hospital under Department of Justice investigation for alleged financial irregularities, further emphasizing his expertise in healthcare finance and criminal investigations.
• A telemarketing firm in a fraud investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, demonstrating his experience in handling investigations by various federal agencies.
• The owner of a marketing firm under investigation for fraud and extortion charges, showcasing his ability to handle a wide range of criminal charges.
• A real estate developer in connection with fraud charges related to HUD projects, highlighting his experience in real estate and government-related fraud.
• A securities executive in an alleged “pump and dump” scheme charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission, further demonstrating his expertise in securities fraud enforcement.
• A national securities firm in a tax and fraud investigation, showcasing his experience in handling complex financial and tax-related investigations.
• A high-ranking employee of a national pharmacy chain in an investigation concerning corporate billing practices, highlighting his focus on healthcare billing and compliance.
• Employees of the Church of Scientology in connection with a homicide investigation, demonstrating his ability to handle sensitive and high-profile criminal matters.
• A national telecommunications company in a complex fraud investigation and securities fraud allegations, showcasing his experience in the telecommunications sector and complex financial crimes.
• A healthcare executive in fraud litigation brought by national insurance companies, emphasizing his expertise in healthcare fraud and civil litigation.
• A computer software company under investigation for alleged kickback violations, demonstrating his experience in the technology sector and anti-kickback compliance.
• A national defense contractor firm in qui tam litigation filed in federal court, highlighting his expertise in defense contracting and whistleblower litigation.
• The CFO of a major hospital regarding a criminal antitrust investigation by the Department of Justice, showcasing his experience in antitrust law and criminal investigations in the healthcare industry.
• A police department in connection with a federal investigation of alleged police misconduct, demonstrating his versatility in handling sensitive public sector investigations.
• A high-ranking sales employee of a national healthcare provider in connection with alleged violations of federal anti-kickback statutes, further emphasizing his expertise in healthcare fraud and anti-kickback laws.
• Employees of a healthcare practice under investigation for tax and kickback violations, showcasing his experience in handling tax-related criminal matters and healthcare fraud.
• A CEO of a public company in connection with an internal investigation conducted by the audit committee under Sarbanes-Oxley, highlighting his expertise in corporate governance and internal investigations.
• A regional securities brokerage firm in connection with customer claims for fraud and churning accounts, demonstrating his experience in securities arbitration and customer disputes.
• A national bank regarding allegations of fraudulent mortgage practices, including an appearance before a regulatory agency, showcasing his expertise in banking regulations and mortgage fraud.
• A high-ranking international bank executive appearing before a Senate Committee investigating international money laundering issues, highlighting his experience in international finance and regulatory scrutiny.
• A major defense contractor in a Department of Defense fraud investigation, further emphasizing his expertise in defense contracting and government fraud.
• Owners of a national car rental firm accused of fraud and tax evasion, demonstrating his ability to handle diverse fraud and tax-related criminal matters.
• A high-ranking executive of a non-profit organization in a political corruption investigation, showcasing his experience in political corruption and non-profit sector investigations.

Prosecutorial Experience: Insights from the Government Side

Mr. Lauro’s prior experience as a federal prosecutor in New York City provides him with a unique perspective and advantage in defending clients. During his time as a prosecutor, he handled a broad spectrum of cases, including international drug conspiracy cases as a member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. He served as the lead prosecutor in the conviction of numerous individuals involved in an international car theft ring operating in New York City. Furthermore, Mr. Lauro was part of the national prosecution team that investigated Pentagon corruption and defense contractor fraud, which led to numerous convictions in the “Ill-Winds” case, a landmark investigation into defense procurement fraud. His prosecutorial experience also includes investigating and prosecuting bank robbery, bank fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, racketeering, defense contractor fraud, and securities fraud matters, giving him an in-depth understanding of prosecutorial strategies and the workings of the federal justice system.

Recognition and Accolades: A Career Marked by Excellence

John Lauro’s career is consistently recognized by top legal ranking organizations, reflecting his standing as a leading trial lawyer:

• Chambers USA 2024: Ranked Band 1 in Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Florida) and Band 2 in Litigation: Trial Lawyers (USA – Nationwide). Chambers USA highlights him as a “highly regarded trial lawyer” with “vast experience representing clients facing allegations of fraud,” and notes his “significant expertise in securities violations.” Peers describe John Lauro as a “preeminent lawyer in the country.”
• Best Lawyers 2024: Recognized since 2012 and named “Lawyer of the Year” for White-Collar Criminal Defense in Tampa, Florida in 2022 and 2013. This award is given to individual lawyers with the highest overall peer feedback, recognizing only one lawyer per specialty and location as “Lawyer of the Year.”
• American College of Trial Lawyers: Fellow since 2014, an invitation-only fellowship considered one of the most prestigious associations in the legal profession, recognizing the best trial attorneys in the United States and Canada.
• Super Lawyers: Selected to Super Lawyers since 2008 and recognized as a Top Rated White Collar Crimes Attorney in Tampa, FL.
• Tampa Magazine Top Lawyers: Recognized in 2019 and 2022.
• U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Firms: Lauro Law Firm regionally ranked Tier 1 in multiple practice areas including Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Litigation – Securities in 2015, 2016, and 2020.
• Martindale-Hubbell: Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence (2020).
• AVVO Rating: 10.0 Superb for Top Attorney White Collar Crime.
• Florida Trend Legal Elite: Recognized in 2019.
• James H. Kynes Memorial “In The Trenches Award”: Recipient in 2011.
• DCA Award: For Highest Score on the Florida Bar Exam.

John Lauro is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, multiple United States Courts of Appeals (Second, Eleventh, and District of Columbia Circuits), and numerous United States District Courts across New York, Florida, and the District of Columbia. His extensive qualifications, broad experience, and consistent recognition position John Lauro as a leading trial lawyer for clients facing complex legal challenges.