Justin V. Shur

Justin Shur, a former Justice Department prosecutor, is a partner in MoloLamken’s Washington, D.C. and New York offices. With nearly 25 years of first-chair trial experience, Mr. Shur has earned a national reputation for successfully representing clients in some of the most prominent white collar criminal matters and high-stakes business disputes. Clients and peers have described him as a “fierce advocate,” a “terrific strategist,” and a “talented trial lawyer” who is “incredible with juries.”

Mr. Shur’s clients include Fortune 500 companies and other major businesses and organizations around the world and across a broad range of industries. He has also represented individuals in a variety of different fields, including CEOs, board members, and other corporate executives, a U.S. cabinet secretary and an ambassador, a celebrated sports figure, and an Academy Award-winning actor.

Mr. Shur specializes in representing clients in complex and sensitive investigations by prosecutors, regulatory agencies, and congressional committees, often under intense media scrutiny. His representations have included some of the most high-profile matters in recent years and have involved nearly every issue that has been the focus of government enforcement. Mr. Shur has successfully resolved a number of significant white collar matters confidentially, persuading authorities not to bring charges. And when cases are brought, he is equally effective in defending clients. An experienced courtroom advocate, Mr. Shur has tried dozens of cases before juries and judges across the country. Drawing on his time as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Shur is also regularly called upon to conduct internal investigations, and advise companies and their boards on risk mitigation and effective compliance measures.

In his civil practice, Mr. Shur has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in multi-billion dollar disputes involving many of the most pressing issues facing businesses today. He has litigated and tried a wide array of complex commercial cases in nearly every setting, from federal and state courts to various arbitration forums. Mr. Shur has also helped clients avoid the cost and risks of courtroom battles by achieving highly favorable pre-suit and pre-trial outcomes.

Prior to joining MoloLamken, Mr. Shur served in the Criminal Division of the Justice Department, where he oversaw some of the nation’s most significant fraud and corruption investigations and prosecutions as Deputy Chief of the Public Integrity Section. In that role, he handled a number of high-profile matters, including the investigation into the activities of lobbyist Jack Abramoff—resulting in the conviction of more than 20 individuals including a U.S. Congressman, and for which Mr. Shur received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. Mr. Shur was also appointed a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia to prosecute one of DOJ’s largest campaign finance fraud cases. Mr. Shur began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan under the legendary Robert Morgenthau.

Representative Matters

White Collar Criminal and Regulatory Matters

• Chairman of multinational media company in DOJ investigation into alleged FCPA violations
• Senior banker at global financial institution in connection with DOJ investigation into foreign bribery, tax evasion, and money laundering allegations
• President of investment advisory firm at trial involving allegations of perjury and obstruction of justice
• CFO of software company in DOJ and SEC investigations into alleged insider trading violations
• Senior executive of social media company in connection with DOJ national security investigation
• Speaker of New York State Assembly at trial on federal corruption charges
• Chief Compliance Officer of cryptocurrency company in investigations by DOJ, SEC, CFTC, and the Treasury Department
• State Department official in impeachment inquiry by Congress into the conduct of a U.S. President
• COO of pharmaceutical company in DOJ investigation into alleged False Claims Act violations
• CEO of automaker in DOJ fraud investigation
• Senior White House official in connection with investigation by DOJ Special Counsel’s Office
• President of travel and hospitality company at trial involving allegations of fraud and obstruction of justice
• CFO of defense contracting firm in DOJ investigation into foreign bribery and money laundering allegations involving contracts in the Middle East
• High-ranking diplomat at trial involving allegations of bribery and fraud
• Chief Marketing Officer of global telecommunications company in DOJ and SEC investigations into FCPA violations involving operations in Eastern Europe and Asia
• Chair of finance committee for presidential campaign in DOJ investigation into alleged violations of federal campaign finance laws
• CEO of energy company in connection with DOJ securities fraud investigation
• Hedge fund trader in connection with House and Senate investigations into market manipulation allegations 
• Healthcare company executive in DOJ antitrust investigation into price-fixing allegations
• Retired General in U.S. Armed Forces in connection with DOJ investigation into perjury allegations
• Chief Operating Officer of fintech company at trial involving fraud allegations
• Director of offshore trust company in connection with DOJ tax fraud investigation
• National security official in DOJ investigation into handling of counterintelligence operation
• Commodity trader in connection with Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations by DOJ and CFTC
• Secret Service official in investigation by Congress into handling of White House security breach
• Senior Executive Branch official at trial on charges of making false statements and obstruction of justice
• Executive Director of non-profit organization in DOJ investigation into potential FARA violations
• President of real estate development company in DOJ investigation into kickback allegations
• COO of financial services regulator in investigation by Congress into large-scale data breach
• Software engineer for international consulting company in connection with DOJ fraud investigation
• NFL team official in investigations by the league and players association

Corporate Internal Investigations

• Leading social media company in conducting investigation into allegations stemming from activist investor settlement
• Investigation for global consulting firm in connection with alleged fraud and kickback scheme
• Private equity firm in conducting investigation into alleged anti-corruption violations in Latin America, Asia, and Eastern Europe
• Investigation for defense contractor in connection with conflict of interest allegations
• Wall Street broker-dealer in conducting investigation into fixed-income securities trading practices
• Investigation for Brazilian company in connection with bribery and corruption allegations
• Healthcare marketing company in conducting investigation into alleged Anti-Kickback Statute violations
• Investigation for regulator in response to leak of sensitive statutorily protected data
• Media company in conducting investigation into accounting fraud allegations
• Investigation for health care facilities operator into alleged violations of the False Claims Act
• Financial services firm in conducting investigation into anti-money laundering practices and controls
• Investigation for energy company into alleged violations of government ethics laws
• Software company in conducting investigation into allegations of improper marketing practices
• Investigation for UK-based company into allegations of bribery and fraud involving operations in Eastern Europe
• Cryptocurrency company in conducting investigation into money laundering allegations

Complex Business Litigation

• Leading foreign bank in dispute against Wall Street investment firm arising from collapse of credit facility
• Software company in connection with patent dispute
• Broker-dealer at trial involving claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty
• Institutional investors in breach of contract suit involving mortgage-backed securities offering
• Real estate developer at trial in breach of contract action against investors
• Private investment fund in redemption dispute with foreign bank
• Energy company in litigation involving oil and natural gas exploration program in Asia and Eastern Europe
• CEO of financial services firm in litigation involving breach of fiduciary duty and self-dealing claims
• Medical facilities operator in breach of contract dispute with managed health care company
• Multinational law firm in litigation involving debt financing for foreign investment project
• Chairman of the board of a NYSE-listed company in connection with threatened proxy contest
• Satellite operator in dispute involving rights to international frequency assignments
• Investment advisor in dispute involving conflict of interest allegations
• President of government contractor in litigation involving allegations of false claims and kickbacks

Recent Publications

• Into the Breach: How to Prepare for and Respond to Corporate Leaks (May 2022)

• How Fund Managers Can Handle Insider Trading Risks After U.S. v. Chow (June 2021)

• In the Hot Seat: Tips for Corporate Executives Testifying Before Congress (Apr. 2021)

• Recent Amendments to the Securities Exchange Act Pose New Risks for Private Fund Managers (Feb. 2021)
• Congressional Investigations: Here’s How Subpoena Recipients Can Respond Effectively (Aug. 2019)
• Prosecutors Avoid 5th Amendment Showdown In Libor Case (Oct. 2018)
• Although Martoma May Have Been Put to Rest, the Debate Over the “Personal Benefit” Test Continues (Sept. 2018)
• SEC v. Cohen: Calling Into Question the Future of Obey-the-Law Injunctions (Aug. 2018)
• How the SEC May Circumvent the Five-Year Statute of Limitations on Disgorgement Under Kokesh (July 2017)
• ALJ Appointments Issue Primed for Supreme Court Review (July 2017)
• Bravo-Fernandez: Did the Court Incentivize Overcharging? (Dec. 2016)
• The Latest Roadblock for Insider Trading Enforcement (June 2016)
• Does the False Claims Act Permit Suits for ”Implied False Certification”? (Apr. 2016)
• The SEC's Pay To Play Rule Is Here To Stay: Tips for Fund Managers To Avoid Liability (Oct. 2015)
• The Calm Before the Storm: Preparing for the Next Wave of Congressional Investigations (Oct. 2014)
• Hiding in Plain Sight: Managing FCPA Risks Associated with Third Parties (Apr. 2014)
• Health Care False Statement Statute: Lessons from the Past Year (Dec. 2013)
• A New Chapter In The Debate Over The "Stealth Statute" (July 2013)
• How Private Equity Funds Can Manage FCPA Risks When Investing in Emerging Markets (Jan. 2013)
• Political Intelligence Firms and the STOCK Act: How Funds Can Avoid Potential Pitfalls (Apr. 2012)

Recent Presentations

• Congressional Investigations: Don’t Get Caught in the Crossfire, Feb. 2023
• DOJ White Collar Enforcement: What to Expect in 2021 and the Coming Years, ABA, Mar. 2021
• Current Trends in Anti-Corruption Enforcement, ABA, Oct. 2020
• Recent Developments in Honest Services Fraud Prosecution and Defense, Inn of Court, Sept. 2020
• Fraud Litigation, Enforcement & Contentious Insolvency, Latin America Asset Recovery Series, June 2019
• Defending Your Client Under Congressional Investigation, ABA, Mar. 2019
• Best Practices for Private Fund Managers Amidst the Rulings in Martoma, Newman and Salman, The Hedge Fund Law Report, Nov. 2017
• Recent Trends in Multi-Jurisdictional Enforcement Actions, ABA, June 2017
• Views from the Defense Bar, National Advocacy Center, Nov. 2016
• Political Corruption, Inn of Court, Feb. 2016
• Effective Corporate Crisis Management, International Association of Lawyers, July 2015
• FCPA, AML & OFAC Risks for Private Equity and Hedge Funds, ACI, Mar. 2015
• Political Intelligence and the STOCK Act: The Next Regulatory Frontier, ABA, June 2013
• Managing Cross-Border Investigations, Yale Club, Jan. 2013
• National Security Leaks and the Law, Council for Court Excellence, Dec. 2012
• Insider Trading Issues in Today's Enforcement Environment, National Law Journal, Oct. 2012
• Understanding and Managing FCPA Risks, China Investment Group, June 2012
• When an Executive's Problems Become the Company's Problems, Law Bulletin's Annual White Collar Crime and Corporate Governance Conference, Apr. 2012