Shareholder

Los Angeles

Direct: 213.891.5035

Office: 213.891.0700

aram@buchalter.com

Bar Admissions

California, District of Columbia, Illinois, New York

Overview

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Ashwin J. Ram is a highly sought-after legal strategist and “problem solver” for all types of high-profile domestic and cross-border disputes. He is an accomplished trial lawyer with nearly 20 years of experience representing corporate and individual clients in criminal, civil, and regulatory matters. His work encompasses a broad range of investigations, white-collar criminal cases, securities litigation, class actions, state and federal False Claims Act litigation, business disputes, and “bet-the-company” and other high-impact litigation. Ashwin also advises clients on crisis management, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance issues. Additionally, he has been recognized for his trial and appellate work, having tried over two dozen cases to verdict and briefed or argued countless state and federal appeals, including at the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Prior to returning to private practice, Ashwin spent more than seven years as a federal prosecutor, including serving as an Assistant U.S. attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles (DOJ). As a federal prosecutor, he handled numerous high-profile investigations, such as “Operation Spinal Cap,” one of the largest healthcare fraud prosecutions in California history. Ashwin also investigated and prosecuted cases of money laundering, bribery, kickbacks, insider trading, and investment fraud, as well as violations of the mail, wire, bank, and tax fraud statutes.

One of the country’s “go-to” white-collar defense lawyers, Ashwin has extensive experience in all aspects of federal criminal practice, from investigations through trial, sentencing, and appeal. As both a defense attorney and former federal prosecutor, Ashwin has handled approximately two dozen trials and has successfully resolved more than 100 criminal matters involving cumulative alleged losses exceeding several billion dollars. Through this work, Ashwin has developed intimate knowledge of the inner workings of investigations and prosecutions relevant to corporate and individual clients.

Ashwin’s strength in the courtroom and strategic approach facilitate successful outcomes for clients in commercial disputes. He has spearheaded high-profile RICO and fraud actions for both plaintiffs and defendants, defended against putative class actions, and successfully resolved several securities litigation class actions and shareholder derivative lawsuits. He has also represented corporate and individual clients in arbitrations and qui tam lawsuits. These commercial disputes have involved countless statutory, contractual, and tort-based claims in state and federal courts. By proactively managing these representations, Ashwin has effectively advanced positions for clients in diverse contexts, including stock offerings, asset purchase agreements, partnership disputes, restrictive covenants, insurance coverage matters, and D&O liability issues.

Demonstrating his extensive experience in both criminal and civil matters—and the intersection of the two—Ashwin has written and spoken extensively on topics relevant to corporate and individual clients.

White Collar

  • Lead counsel for high-profile vape/lifestyle company, Ignite International Brands, Ltd., defending against a fraud prosecution in the Central District of California (Los Angeles), as well as a parallel SEC enforcement proceeding pending in the Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
  • Lead counsel representing client Roger Ver, known by his followers as “Bitcoin Jesus,” in the most prominent cryptocurrency tax case on record. The politically motivated charges concern tax evasion arising from bitcoin holdings prior to expatriation from the United States.
  • Lead appellate counsel for a high-profile venture capitalist and political fundraiser in a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit related to tax fraud, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) convictions, as well as restitution and penalty payments exceeding $20 million (paid in back taxes and fines).
  • Lead counsel representing a Canadian encrypted phone and messaging provider and its CEO, who were indicted on charges of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) violations and money laundering offenses stemming from the sale of encrypted phones, with revenues allegedly exceeding $100 million.
  • Representation of the lead defendant in a healthcare fraud case related to allegations of kickbacks and medically unnecessary prescriptions of high-reimbursement drugs totaling in excess of $250 million. Successfully negotiated a pre-indictment resolution in which the client will receive a reduced sentence and cooperate in the government’s prosecution of co-conspirators.
  • Lead counsel in an investigation resolving a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) inquiry involving the CEO of a publicly traded bitcoin mining company, that resulted in no further action by FINRA after our investigative findings.
  • Successfully defended a scientist and former university lab director in a three-week federal criminal trial against charges on approximately 20 counts, including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and theft/bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, with alleged losses exceeding $6 million.
  • Lead counsel for a Los Angeles businessman and angel investor in a two-week criminal jury trial in the Central District of California, defending against an alleged $20 million fraudulent loan scheme involving funds from PPP and EDIL loan programs. This was one of the largest and first COVID stimulus cases to go to trial. Our representation led to the client’s acquittal of all post-release money laundering charges and secured a rare Kastigar hearing.
  • Lead counsel for the CEO and a chemical manufacturer in an investigation conducted by the EPA-OIG and the US Attorney’s Offices on both the East and West Coasts.
  • Represented a former Uber executive in an investigation conducted by the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, resulting in no charges being filed against the client.
  • Representation of an individual and a company in an investigation by the California Attorney General’s Office regarding claims of alleged tobacco sales tax fraud and money laundering.
  • Represented an energy company executive in the Northern District of Illinois in an investigation and prosecution of an alleged political bribery scheme with purported losses exceeding $150 million. Obtained a plea disposition with recommendation for no custodial sentence.
  • Acted as lead counsel for a prominent Southern California healthcare provider group victimized by an extortion plot orchestrated by their former CFO. Successfully referred the case to the FBI and the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, leading to a covert recording operation and subsequent prosecution of the former CFO.
  • Served as co-lead counsel for a fuel retailer in a state attorney general’s price gouging investigation involving multiple fuel retailers operating in the Western United States. Developed a resolution framework based on an exhaustive “white paper” on price gouging regulations, resulting in a settlement with nominal payments and compliance measures.
  • Obtained the complete dismissal of all pending criminal charges against a logistics and trucking company owner in DuPage County, Illinois. The client was criminally charged with felony fraud offenses arising from the complaint of a former business partner. After conducting a three-month investigation, including a forensic accounting analysis, of the company and the alleged fraud, presented findings to supervisors at the relevant state’s attorney’s office in Illinois. As a result, all charges pending against the client were dismissed, and the government expressed interest in pursuing charges against the former business partner who falsely alleged fraud.
  • Co-lead counsel for a mining company in a cross-border investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska. Also represented the client in a parallel SEC enforcement proceeding in San Francisco and a putative securities class action litigation in the Eastern District of New York.
  • Represented the family of a hate crime victim in Riverside, California, after the presiding judge dismissed the hate crime charge against one of the defendant murderers. Advocated for the prosecution to file a writ to challenge the dismissal of the hate crime charge, which was ultimately filed and led to the successful reinstatement of the hate crime charge.

Commercial Disputes

  • Lead counsel representing one of the largest PVC-pipe manufacturers in the US in connection with pursuing a RICO and fraud lawsuit for sham asbestos claims asserted by one of the largest plaintiffs’ asbestos law firms in the US.
  • Representation of an energy company in connection with a corporate investigation underlying securities class action and shareholder derivative lawsuits filed against the company.
  • Representation of a medical group and various affiliated corporate entities in an investigation and business litigation involving a former practice co-owner, stemming from allegations of sexual assault and fraud leveled against him.
  • Lead counsel defending a California Medical Board accusation against a client-surgeon concerning a purported requirement to maintain privileges at local hospitals adjacent to surgery centers. As a result of our investigation and advocacy, the California Medical Board dismissed the investigation and all accusations involving our client.
  • Lead counsel for Pledge Medical, LLC, and certain affiliated owners in one of the largest California-based healthcare qui tam lawsuits involving personal injury medical lien-based services and procedures pursued by State Farm in 2024. Investigated and resolved litigation against all clients within 90 days with a complete release of liability for all clients.
  • Representation of an alternative energy company in an internal investigation and a RICO class action filed in the Eastern District of New York.
  • Represented an aviation industry client in efforts to stop and mitigate the harm caused by a rogue corporate representative who converted millions of dollars in accounts for her personal use, including transferring funds to foreign companies.
  • Lead counsel in successfully resolving two novel qui tam actions pursued simultaneously by State Farm and Allstate under the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act, The actions were against a prominent Southern California pain management practice, surgery center, and physician.
  • Lead counsel to a US Congressional campaign committee in AAA arbitration involving various breach of contract allegations asserted against the client. All claims against the client were dismissed on the eve of arbitration with no payment from the client.
  • Lead counsel to a cannabis company facing a putative class action asserting violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). After filing a motion to dismiss and engaging in several rounds of negotiation, the case was dismissed following a nominal settlement payment by the client.
  • Represented a former energy company executive in a civil RICO putative class action filed in parallel to a criminal investigation of an alleged political bribery scheme in the Northern District of Illinois, with purported losses exceeding $150 million. All civil RICO claims against the client were dismissed following a case consolidation.
  • Lead counsel to a prominent model manager in a talent-raiding dispute between two global modeling agencies in federal and state court. Sought declaratory relief and successfully obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining a global model-management agency from enforcing a non-compete agreement. The case was favorably resolved shortly after the TRO was issued.
  • Lead counsel to a cannabis executive who was extorted by a former business partner. Successfully obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the extorting business partner and eventually secured a judgment in favor of the client.
  • Represented insurance clients in over a dozen cases involving COVID-19-related claims for business interruption insurance coverage in state and federal courts. Secured dismissal or summary judgment in nearly all of these COVID-related insurance cases.
  • Led an investigation of a regional bank on behalf of a healthcare executive client who suffered substantial account losses due to systemic unauthorized account transfers conducted by a money manager previously affiliated with the bank. Recovered approximately 150% of the client’s losses.
  • Represented an insurance client in a multi-million-dollar Builder’s Risk insurance coverage dispute and obtained a favorable pre-trial settlement.
  • Co-represented and obtained the dismissal of a complaint against a former officer of a popular sports brand in a case involving alleged accounting misstatements related to an audit letter.
  • Successfully represented a healthcare provider group and surgery centers in a qui tam lawsuit brought under the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act (IFPA) with alleged damages exceeding $20 million.

Admissions

  • California
  • Illinois
  • New York
  • District of Columbia
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

  • University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
  • Miami University of Ohio, B.A.

  • Los Angeles Business Journal, “Minority Leaders of Influence: Attorneys” (2021)
  • Assistant Inspector General Excellence Award

  • Securities Litigation

  • Member, Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Past President, South Asian Bar Association
  • Past President and Former Chief Legal Officer, Network of Indian Professionals of North America

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