Darren LaVerne is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s New York office and a member of the firm’s Trials, White Collar Defense and Investigations, Securities Enforcement, Litigation, and Appellate and Constitutional Law practices. A former federal prosecutor, Darren is a seasoned trial attorney who brings zealous advocacy, strategic insight, and creative thinking to all phases of a case. Darren draws on years of experience representing major corporations, top executives, and public officials dealing with complex and sometimes existential crises. He has achieved remarkable results – whether by warding off charges and claims before they are filed, relentlessly opposing government overreach and fighting for clients in court, or crafting original and persuasive legal arguments on appeal. His exceptional work in white-collar criminal defense and government investigations has earned him recognition from Chambers USA, where sources have praised him as “a tremendous lawyer” and “a wonderful writer with an amazing work ethic.” He has also been recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation. In addition to litigating in trial and appellate courts around the country, Darren has represented international clients under investigation in the United States, as well as in arbitral hearings overseas.
Darren draws on his prior experience as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where, from 2010 to 2016, he led numerous successful criminal prosecutions involving wire fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, bribery, money laundering, racketeering, crimes of violence, environmental crimes, and other offenses. Notably, he was part of the core team of prosecutors who built and charged the case against over 40 FIFA soccer officials and sports marketing executives around the world, one of the most significant and complex prosecutions in the office’s history. During his tenure, Darren conducted several jury trials, all resulting in convictions, including a month-long racketeering trial where he served as lead counsel. Darren also represented the government on appeal, arguing and briefing cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Recent Representations
- Representing the former CFO of Silicon Valley Bank in connection with multiple governmental investigations and lawsuits concerning the bank’s failure in March 2023.
- Representing the crypto-investment company Digital Currency Group in a lawsuit alleging fraud filed by the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
- Representing the former Lt. Governor New York in a prosecution alleging bribery in connection with the receipt of campaign contributions.
- Representing the global auction house Sotheby’s in a False Claims Act lawsuit filed by the New York State Attorney General, alleging failure to assess tax on sales of fine art.
- Represented former bank chairman in a criminal bribery prosecution in the Southern District of New York.*
- Represented the general counsel of a multibillion-dollar global company in an SEC lawsuit in federal court in the District of Columbia, alleging failure to timely disclose a loss contingency under securities laws.*
- Represented a former executive at a Fortune 100 company in a criminal investigation in the Southern District of New York and parallel SEC investigation regarding insider trading allegations, successfully persuading authorities not to file charges.*
- Represented a global investment bank executive in a criminal investigation in the Southern District of New York concerning allegations of wire fraud in the foreign-exchange market, securing a non-prosecution agreement with no charges filed against the client.*
- Represented a leading investment adviser in an SEC investigation into fee-disclosure and conflict-of-interest issues under the Investment Advisers Act, achieving a favorable settlement after numerous meetings and presentations to the SEC.*
- Represented a former securities-trading executive in a criminal antitrust investigation in the Southern District of New York and parallel SEC investigation.*
- Represented a global construction, manufacturing, and engineering conglomerate in a three-week ICC arbitration in Paris and a related one-week domestic arbitration in Houston.*
- Advised a global manufacturing company regarding arrest warrants issued for its executives in Mexico and related Interpol red notices.*
- Represented numerous individuals and companies in responding to subpoenas and related inquiries from the Department of Justice, the SEC, the CFTC, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Attorney General’s Office, and other law-enforcement and regulatory authorities.*
- Conducted confidential internal investigations for companies across various industries.*
Darren has authored articles in the New York Law Journal and other publications on topics such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the extraterritorial reach of U.S. law, and the need for reform of federal criminal discovery rules.
Providing pro bono assistance to clients who cannot afford legal counsel has always been a critical part of Darren’s practice. Early in his career, he was part of a team that filed habeas corpus petitions and eventually secured the release of four prisoners held without charge in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, where he travelled four times in the course of the representation. Darren has served as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and as pro bono co-counsel to the Legal Aid Society, representing indigent clients in criminal matters. He has twice been awarded the Pro Bono Publico Award by Legal Aid for his efforts, during which he has briefed and argued cases in the Appellate Division and Court of Appeals, New York State’s highest court. Darren is a member of the New York Council of Defense Lawyers. He has served as a board member for the City Bar Fund and the Fund for Modern Courts, and is a member of the Lawyers Council for the Citizens Crime Commission of New York.
Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Darren was a Partner in the New York office of a major law firm.
Darren LaVerne earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2004, where he was awarded the David Werner Amram Prize in civil procedure, the P. Pemberton Morris Prize in evidence, pleading, and practice, and the James Wilson Scholarship. He also holds an M.A. in American History from Columbia University (1997) and a B.A., cum laude, from Duke University (1995). Following law school, Darren clerked for the Honorable John M. Walker, Jr., who was at the time the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
*Matters handled prior to joining Gibson Dunn
Capabilities
Credentials
Education:
- University of Pennsylvania - 2004 Juris Doctor
- Columbia University - 1997 Master of Arts
- Duke University - 1995 Bachelor of Arts
Admissions:
- New York Bar
Clerkships:
- US Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, Hon. John M. Walker Jr., 2004 - 2005