| Barry Pollack represents individuals and corporations in criminal investigations and trials and in other government enforcement matters, such as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceedings. Mr. Pollack also conducts corporate investigations. As a former certified public accountant (CPA), a substantial focus of his practice is the litigation of complex financial matters. Mr. Pollack has extensive jury trial experience. More > Barry Pollack represents individuals and corporations in criminal investigations and trials and in other government enforcement matters, such as Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proceedings. Mr. Pollack also conducts corporate investigations. As a former certified public accountant (CPA), a substantial focus of his practice is the litigation of complex financial matters. Mr. Pollack has extensive jury trial experience.
Mr. Pollack is best known for his skills in the courtroom. He obtained acquittals on all counts on behalf of a former executive of Enron Corporation in a federal criminal case, following a month long jury trial. Mr. Pollack’s client was one of only two Enron executives to be acquitted by a jury. In addition, Mr. Pollack represented Martin Tankleff, whose double murder conviction was reversed and all charges against him dismissed. In a lengthy hearing, Mr. Pollack led a team of pro bono counsel that presented evidence that Mr. Tankleff was innocent of the crimes for which he spent 17 years in prison. The Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project honored Barry with its 2009 “Defender of Innocence Award” and in 2008, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers honored Barry with the “Gideon Champion of Justice Award” for his successful representation of Mr. Tankleff. Most recently, Mr. Pollack led a pro bono defense team on behalf of Fernando Bermudez, who has been serving a 23-years-to-life prison sentence for murder. After 11 previous unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Bermudez, with Mr. Pollack serving as his counsel, challenged his conviction based on the perjured trial testimony of a cooperating witness and tainted identification procedures, and was granted a hearing. At the hearing, Mr. Pollack presented evidence that Mr. Bermudez was innocent. The judge ruled for Mr. Bermudez, reversed his conviction, and dismissed the indictment.
In September 2008, Mr. Pollack was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is extended only by invitation, after careful investigation, to experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. Membership is limited to no more than one percent of the lawyers in each state.
Mr. Pollack’s criminal practice has included the representation of individuals in grand jury proceedings, trials, sentencings, appeals, post-conviction proceedings, pardon petitions, and independent counsel and congressional investigations. These matters have involved allegations of fraudulent conduct, false statements, or other wrongdoing related to accounting, securities, government contracting, real estate, banking and mortgage lending, health care, manufacturing, and the environment.
With respect to civil matters, Mr. Pollack has litigated False Claims Act (FCA) cases in government contracting and health care. He has also litigated cases involving the First Amendment, civil RICO, employment discrimination, breach of fiduciary duty, professional negligence, civil fraud, complex contract disputes, and suspension and debarment proceedings. < Brief Bio
- Representing a former executive of Enron Corporation who was acquitted of federal criminal fraud charges following a month-long jury trial.
- Leading a team of pro bono attorneys who obtained release from prison and dismissal of all charges against a Long Island man who served 17 years for the murder of his parents, after presenting evidence he had been wrongfully convicted.
- Representing a former AIG executive in criminal and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations of accounting improprieties.
- Representing a Member of Congress in a House ethics investigation.
- Representing corporations in federal and state criminal investigations and a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other laws related to improper payments made by participants in the U.N. Oil-for-Food program.
Government Experience
- Assistant Federal Public Defender, Maryland, 1998 - 2000
Rankings and Recognition
- Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project Defender of Innocence Award, 2009
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, inducted 2008
- Gideon Champion of Justice Award, New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2008
- The Best Lawyers in America®: Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2007 - 2010
- American Trial Lawyer Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Washington , D.C., 2007 - 2008
- SmartCEO’s Washington Legal Elite
- Washington’s Top Lawyers: Trial Lawyers, Elite Criminal Defenders (Washingtonian Magazine), 2007 and 2009
Professional and Community Involvement
- Co-Chair, White Collar Crime Committee, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Member, District of Columbia State Committee, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Member, Board of Directors, Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project
- Member, Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court
- Member, Board of Directors, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2003 - 2009
Bar Admissions - District of Columbia
- Maryland
Court Admissions - United States District Court for the District of Columbia
- United States District Court for the District of Maryland
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Education - J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1991
- B.S., Indiana University, with high honors, 1986
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