Represents companies and individuals in government and corporate internal investigations and related civil litigation.
Handles a wide range of matters related to federal criminal and regulatory enforcement, particularly related to cross-border issues.
Experience at senior levels of the Department of Defense and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the Southern District of New York.

Paul Butler draws upon his deep understanding of the inner workings of enforcement authorities to represent clients facing regulatory and criminal enforcement actions. Working in jurisdictions with a high degree of compliance risk, he advises individuals, multinationals and other global organizations. According to Chambers USA, market sources "have great regard" for Mr. Butler and consider him a "really outstanding" lawyer whose “practice focuses largely on advising clients during major internal and government-led investigations” and “cases with significant international elements.”

As an AUSA, Paul prosecuted major terrorism cases, gaining insight into how the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI, and intelligence agencies investigate and make cases to bring them to trial. He also dealt with many cross-border investigations, gaining a strong understanding of how U.S. law enforcement and regulatory agencies deal with their foreign counterparts. This included serving as one of the trial prosecutors in United States v. Osama Bin Laden, et al., the U.S. government’s indictment of the leadership of al Qaeda prior to the 9/11 attacks, which resulted in the successful convictions, after a six-month trial, of four defendants for their roles in the attacks on the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

In his role at the Pentagon, he was steeped in crisis management, dealing with issues around highly consequential situations, including Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo and Fallujah. His time in government also gave him an invaluable network of contacts.

Paul provides advice on investigations and other enforcement actions involving:

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
Securities laws
Federal contracts
Electronic surveillance
Export controls
Sanctions laws and regulations.

Representative Work

Served as lead counsel to a multinational energy company in a seven-year FCPA investigation by the DOJ, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and criminal prosecutors in Argentina. Represented witnesses in interviews with the U.S. government, developed case strategy, oversaw document production and negotiated with government. No charges were brought, and the matter was closed. The client avoided major fines, the revocation of the lease on its largest asset and individual criminal charges.
Successfully represented a CEO of a Chinese telecom company against allegations that he had violated export laws, obstructed justice and destroyed documents. Negotiated a safe-passage agreement for the CEO so that he could be interviewed in the United States. The government did not pursue criminal charges.
Counseling a multinational accused of bribery to obtain a major contract with the government of Azerbaijan. The client was in the midst of an FCPA investigation in China when the conduct was discovered. Conducted a swift and thorough internal investigation and self-reported to the DOJ and SEC. The DOJ elected not to bring criminal charges and a settlement was reached with the SEC..
Represented a business owner facing a DOJ investigation into procurement fraud, misuse of classified information, false statements to the FBI and tax evasion. Negotiated a plea for the client on one false statement count. He was sentenced to probation and a small fine, and was able to sell the company, which had been in significant jeopardy as a result of the investigation.
Represented a global public company in a whistleblower case with allegations of bribery to obtain business and certain government approvals in Pakistan. Leveraged contacts at the DOJ and SEC to allow the company to conduct its own internal investigation. Conducted the investigation and made a voluntary disclosure to both agencies. The government accepted conclusions that no major wrongdoing occurred.

Education
J.D., St. John's University School of Law, 1988
M.A., Johns Hopkins University, 1997
M.A., Albany State University, cum laude, 1984
B.A., University at Albany, State University of New York, 1984

Clerkships
U.S.D.C., Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
New York

Recognitions

Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2015-2023.
The Legal 500 US, Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense: advice to individuals, 2022, and Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense: advice to corporates / advice to individuals, 2023.
Department of Defense Distinguished Service Award.
CIA Seal Medallion Award.
DOJ Distinguished Service Award.

Affiliations and Public Service

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict.
Special Assistant to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Department of Defense.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to a civilian advisory panel on export laws and regulations.
Member, Council on Foreign Relations.
Member, Business Executives for National Security.
Member, Civilian Advisory Panel to the combatant commander of United States Southern Command.
Member, American Bar Association Committees on White Collar Crime and National Security Law.

Speeches and Publications

“Investigations Best Practices,” The Coca Cola Company Ethics & Compliance Bottler Best Practices Forum, Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 2019
“FIFA – A Case Study,” C The Coca Cola Company Ethics & Compliance Bottler Best Practices Forum, September 2018.
“As the World (Bank) Turns: Compliance and Enforcement Principles in World Contracting,” Akin Gump Seminar, Houston and Dallas, February 2016.
“Current Trends in U.S. Cybersecurity, Big Data and Data Privacy,” St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, June 2014.