Our Approach

We Represent Individuals and Companies in High-Stakes Federal Cases. Learn Why Clients Trust Us When Their Future and Reputation are On the Line.

Federal cases require a very different approach from civil and criminal cases in state court. From the allegations to the procedures involved, everything tends to be more complex in federal cases, and the stakes are often far higher.

At Oberheiden P.C., we focus our practice on federal defense. A federal criminal defense attorney from our firm represents individuals and companies in investigations, grand jury proceedings, enforcement proceedings, and trials, and we have a proven track record of securing favorable results for our clients.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

John W. Sellers

Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice

Local Counsel

Joanne Fine DeLena

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Joe Brown

Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney

Local Trial & Defense Counsel

Amanda Marshall

Former U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Aaron L. Wiley

Former Federal Prosecutor

Local Counsel

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (OIG)

Michael Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Chris Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Kevin M. Sheridan

Former Special Agent (FBI)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Dennis A. Wichern

Former Special Agent-in-Charge (DEA)

What to Expect When You Choose Oberheiden P.C.

Our approach to federal defense is informed not only by our attorneys’ exceptional experience representing suspects, targets, and defendants, but also our attorneys’ and consultants’ prior experience as federal prosecutors and investigative agents. Several of our attorneys previously served as senior prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and our consultants have backgrounds as Special Agents, Supervisory Special Agents, and Special Agents in Charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Secret Service, and other agencies.

This experience affords our attorneys and consultants deep insights into the federal investigative and prosecutorial processes—and these insights enable us to provide strategic and effective defense representation in high-stakes federal cases. As a result, here is what you can expect when you choose Oberheiden P.C.:

1. We Will Explain the Accusations Against You

Federal cases can be extraordinarily complicated, and DOJ prosecutors will often pursue multiple related and unrelated charges. As a result, building an effective defense strategy starts with understanding the accusations against you. Our attorneys will explain why you are being targeted, what facts are (and aren’t) relevant to your case, and whether you are at risk for civil liability or a criminal conviction.

If you are currently facing an indictment, our attorneys will review the indictment and explain what the charges contained in the indictment mean. If you are currently under investigation, our attorneys will intervene and gather the information needed to determine what allegations are on the table. This is a critical first step, and it is a first step that we will take as soon as possible after you engage our firm to represent you.

2. We Will Walk You Through Your Subpoena, Target Letter, or Indictment Line By Line

Many of our clients come to us after receiving a subpoena, target letter, or indictment. If you have received one of these documents, we will walk you through it line by line. Our attorneys will explain the allegations at issue (and, in the case of a subpoena, whether you are the one being targeted), and our consultants will provide their insights as to why and how the government is building its case against you.

Once you receive a subpoena, target letter, or indictment, you need to move quickly. At this point, federal agents and prosecutors are already well on their way to pursuing civil enforcement action or a criminal conviction. We will get to work immediately, and we will build a targeted and custom-tailored defense strategy focused on the unique details of your situation.

3. We Will Focus On Your Side of the Story

Too often, defense lawyers focus on the government’s side of the case. They review the allegations at issue, and then they react to the government’s moves.

While this can be part of an effective defense strategy, it typically is not an effective defense strategy in itself. Instead, minimizing the consequences of a federal investigation or indictment requires a proactive approach focused on your side of the story. Rather than following the government’s focus, we broaden our perspective, and we examine all relevant facts and circumstances in order to build a comprehensive defense strategy. In many cases, we are able to successfully defend our clients by bringing to light facts, statutes, and cases that federal agents and prosecutors hadn’t previously considered.

4. We Will Evaluate All Possible Defenses

There are several different ways to defend against federal allegations (though the options that are available can vary at different stages of a federal case). We evaluate all possible defenses, and we build and execute defense strategies that take into account the facts, law, and current procedural status of our client’s case. When circumstances evolve or new information comes to light, we reevaluate and adapt our defense strategy accordingly.

New defenses can arise as a case progresses. For example, federal agents or prosecutors may make mistakes that warrant the exclusion of evidence and/or dismissal of the charges against you. We constantly look for opportunities to protect our clients—and we strike when opportunities come available.

5. We Will Explain the Process of Trial Preparation

Following a federal indictment, trial preparation becomes key. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should be expecting to go to trial at this stage. We approach trial preparation strategically, and we use it as a means to avoid trial whenever possible.

Our attorneys will explain the trial preparation process to you in detail. We will also explain how we use this process to position our clients’ cases for favorable outcomes. We will go over how we will challenge the federal government’s evidence and its investigative practices, and we will discuss all possible scenarios—from negotiating a plea to filing a motion for pre-trial dismissal.

6. We Will Explain What to Expect at Trial or in Plea Negotiations

In order to make informed decisions at the pre-trial stage, it is important to understand what you can expect as your case moves forward. This means understanding all possible scenarios, including going to trial and resolving your case through plea negotiations.

When a pre-trial dismissal is not feasible, our first option is to fight for a favorable judgment at trial. In civil cases, this means a finding of no liability. In criminal cases, it means an acquittal on all charges. Our federal defense attorneys and consultants are experienced trial strategists, and we will walk you step-by-step through how we will defend you in court. If going to trial is too risky, then our second option is to enter into plea negotiations.

7. We Will Never Surrender, and We Will Only Compromise When it is in Your Interests to Do So

We only pursue plea negotiations when it is in our clients’ interests to do so. This is not a surrender, but rather a strategic approach to minimizing the negative repercussions of prosecution for our clients. With extensive experience on both sides of these negotiations, we have a clear understanding of the types of issues and strategies that tend to lead to favorable outcomes.

As the client, it is your decision if and when to pursue plea negotiations. However, as your defense counsel, it is our job to advise you appropriately. We will help you make informed decisions; and, if you decide to pursue plea negotiations, we will leverage the available evidence (or lack thereof) to seek a favorable deal on your behalf.

8. We Will Involve You in All Critical Decisions Pertaining to Your Federal Case

Of course, there are many other critical decisions you will need to make during your federal case as well. We will involve you in all of these decisions, and we will give you advice based on our attorneys’ and consultants’ collective experience on both sides of federal cases. We will give you as much time as possible to make the decisions you need to make, but we will also make clear when time is of the essence.

9. We Will Spend Time Working with You and Helping You Make Smart Decisions

When facing high-stakes federal allegations, it is important to know that your lawyer actually cares about the outcome of your case. We are passionate about what we do, and it shows. We will spend as much time working with you as you would like, and we will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to make smart decisions.

Our clients have access to our senior attorneys and consultants around the clock. If you want to get in touch, we want to hear from you. But, you can expect to hear from us as well. We will never leave you wondering about the status of your case or the risks you might be facing.

10. You Will Feel Confident that Your Case is Our Most Important Case

As our client, your case is our priority. We put our clients’ cases above all else—professional and personal priorities included. We know you expect nothing less, and we believe you deserve nothing less. When you choose Oberheiden P.C., you can feel confident knowing not only that you have highly-experienced senior attorneys and consultants on your side, but also that these attorneys and consultants are committed to doing everything possible to protect you.

Schedule a Complimentary Case Assessment at Oberheiden P.C.

If you would like to know more about our approach or our experience in high-stakes federal cases, we encourage you to get in touch. For a complimentary case assessment at Oberheiden P.C., call 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online now.