Ashwin J. Ram is Co-Chair of Buchalter’s White Collar & Investigations Practice and one of the country’s “go-to” legal strategists and advocate for clients facing bet-the-company litigation, government investigations, and high-stakes commercial disputes. A former federal prosecutor and accomplished trial lawyer, he brings over two decades of experience to matters where the outcomes define careers, businesses, and personal liberty.
Ashwin has tried over two dozen cases to verdict, resolved matters involving alleged losses exceeding several billion dollars, and successfully argued state and federal appeals. His practice spans white-collar criminal defense, securities class actions, civil RICO matters, healthcare investigations, tax controversy, and complex business disputes—often at the intersection of multiple forums and overlapping government investigations.
He understands how prosecutors think—because he was one.
As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles, Ashwin prosecuted some of the most complex federal cases in the nation. His work included “Operation Spinal Cap,” one of the largest healthcare fraud prosecutions in California history, along with cases involving money laundering, public corruption, insider trading, conspiracies, and multi-million dollar fraud schemes. That prosecution experience now informs his defense and litigation strategy.
Ashwin is equally effective in high-end commercial litigation, where he has spearheaded plaintiff and defense-side RICO actions, defended securities class actions and shareholder derivative suits, and resolved disputes involving trade secrets, insurance fraud, and complex contractual claims. His ability to coordinate strategy across civil, criminal, and regulatory proceedings makes him a trusted advisor for clients facing multi-front exposure.
The measure of success is not always a verdict—it is often the case that never gets filed, the case dismissed at the pleading stage, or the out-of-the-box resolution that preserves what matters most.
Complex Commercial Litigation
Ashwin represents plaintiffs and defendants in high-stakes business disputes, including civil RICO actions, trade secret litigation, and contract disputes involving significant damages exposure. He has pursued treble-damage RICO claims against fraudulent enterprises and defended against allegations seeking hundreds of millions in dollars. His dual perspective—knowing how to build complex claims and how to defeat them—provides strategic advantages at every stage of litigation.
Securities Litigation & Class Action Defense
Ashwin defends corporations and executives in securities class actions, shareholder derivative lawsuits, and SEC enforcement proceedings. He has resolved complex matters through strategic motion practice, coordinated parallel criminal and civil defenses, and managed multi-forum exposure involving congressional investigations, DOJ inquiries, SEC enforcement, and private securities litigation simultaneously.
White-Collar Criminal Defense & Government Investigations
From target letters to trial, Ashwin defends executives, corporations, and high-net-worth individuals facing federal criminal exposure. His recent matters include one of the largest cryptocurrency tax prosecutions in U.S. history and a precedent-setting RICO case addressing the criminalization of encrypted communications technology. He has secured pre-indictment resolutions, trial acquittals, and appellate reversals in matters involving fraud, money laundering, public corruption, and tax evasion.
Healthcare Fraud Defense
Ashwin defends medical practices, physicians, and healthcare executives against state and federal fraud investigations. His healthcare practice includes False Claims Act defense, Anti-Kickback Statute investigations, and qui tam litigation under the California Insurance Frauds Prevention Act.
Tax Controversy & IRS Litigation
Ashwin challenges IRS enforcement at every level. His tax practice encompasses criminal tax defense, civil penalty litigation, and challenges to nominee and alter ego theories in enforcement actions.
Cryptocurrency, Blockchain & Emerging Technology
Ashwin represents cryptocurrency exchanges, blockchain companies, and technology executives facing DOJ prosecutions, SEC enforcement, and IRS investigations. His practice includes defending clients against novel theories of criminal liability applied to technology providers, expatriation taxation of digital assets, RICO theories targeting encrypted communications platforms, and securities fraud allegations in the digital asset space.
Landmark Cases
Cryptocurrency Tax Prosecution: Former Lead counsel for Roger Ver in the most prominent cryptocurrency tax case on record, involving novel issues of expatriation taxation and digital asset valuation.
Encrypted Communications RICO Defense: Lead counsel defending a Canadian encrypted phone provider and its CEO against RICO and money laundering charges in a case that tests whether building privacy technology can constitute racketeering activity.
Multi-Forum Corporate Defense: Coordinated defense across four simultaneous forums—congressional oversight, DOJ criminal investigation, SEC enforcement, and private securities class action—for a natural resources company.
Ignite International: Former lead counsel defending high-profile lifestyle company against parallel fraud prosecution in the Central District of California and SEC enforcement proceeding in the Southern District of New York.
Commercial Litigation
Asbestos RICO Prosecution: Lead counsel pursuing RICO and fraud claims for major PVC-pipe manufacturer against plaintiffs’ firm alleged to have engaged in fraud in connection with countless sham asbestos claims.
Art Finance Dispute: Representing party in multi-million dollar dispute involving fine art collateral under UCC Article 9, with assets held in FBI custody.
Trade Secret Litigation: Representing healthcare technology clients in trade secret misappropriation matter with damages exposure exceeding $100 million.
Business Interruption Litigation: Secured dismissal or summary judgment in over a dozen COVID-19 business interruption insurance coverage cases.
Trial Victories & Resolutions
COVID Stimulus Fraud Trial: Lead trial counsel in one of the first and largest COVID stimulus fraud cases to reach verdict. Secured acquittal on all post-release charges and obtained a rare Kastigar hearing.
$250 Million Healthcare Fraud Resolution: Negotiated pre-indictment resolution for lead defendant in major health care kickback scheme, avoiding trial.
University Research Fraud Defense: Three-week federal trial resulting in favorable outcome for scientist and former university lab director facing approximately 20 counts including conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, and theft of federal funds ($6 million alleged loss).
Revenue Recognition Fraud Investigation Resolution: Secured DOJ case declination on revenue recognition fraud allegations following the investigation and execution of a search warrant at the U.S. headquarters of a major international automotive manufacturer.
Ninth Circuit Appeal: Lead appellate counsel for venture capitalist in tax fraud, FARA, and FECA appeal involving restitution and penalties exceeding $20 million. Former client received clemency prior to completion of appeal.
Healthcare & Tax
Medicaid Fraud Defense: Successfully challenged the administrative payment suspension of pharmacy client.
IRS Penalty Challenge: Lead counsel leveraging APA precedent to challenge $6.6 million in IRS penalties—over 80% of total claimed debt—as procedurally invalid.
Healthcare Qui Tam Defense: Resolved major California healthcare qui tam litigation within 90 days, securing complete release for all clients in one of the largest IFPA matters of 2024.
Medical Board Defense: Obtained complete dismissal of California Medical Board accusation against surgeon following investigation and advocacy.
FINRA Investigation Resolution: Resolved regulatory inquiry for CEO of publicly traded bitcoin mining company with no further action.
Admissions
California
Illinois
New York
District of Columbia
United States Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for theCentral District ofCalifornia
U.S. District Court for theEastern District ofCalifornia
U.S. District Court for theNorthern District ofCalifornia
U.S. District Court for theSouthern District ofCalifornia
U.S. District Court for theNorthern District ofIllinois
U.S. District Court for theEastern District ofNew York
U.S. District Court for theSouthern District ofNew York
U.S. District Court for theWestern District ofOklahoma
United States Court of Appealsfor the Ninth Circuit
Education
University of Kansas School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
Miami University of Ohio, B.A.
Legal 500 U.S. Elite, White Collar Crime (2026)
L.A. Times Studios, “2025 Legal Visionary”
Los Angeles Business Journal, “Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys” (2021, 2026)
Assistant Inspector General Excellence Award
Securities Litigation
Trial Lawyer
RICO Litigation
Securities Class Actions
Healthcare Fraud Defense
Cryptocurrency
Tax Controversy
Co-Chair, Buchalter White Collar & Investigations Practice
Past President, South Asian Bar Association
Past President & Former Chief Legal Officer, Network of Indian Professionals of North America
