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Justin C. Simeone

Partner
Washington, DC
About

Justin is a trusted advisor who represents companies and individuals in high-stakes internal investigations, government enforcement actions, and complex litigation matters. He provides practical and strategic guidance, advising clients on managing crises, responding to government inquiries, negotiating favorable resolutions, and enhancing compliance programs.

Justin focuses his practice on matters involving allegations of corruption and foreign bribery, money laundering, sanctions violations, accounting and securities fraud, false claims, anticompetitive conduct, terrorist financing, and tax evasion. He has significant experience defending companies and individuals in civil and criminal investigations brought by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), US Department of the Treasury, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the World Bank Integrity Vice Presidency (INT), among other enforcement bodies.

Justin routinely manages complex global investigations across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America, and his experience includes conducting sensitive interviews, advising corporate leaders, and briefing government officials. He also advises on parallel government enforcement and civil litigation risks, drawing on government-facing litigation experience, including a four-week criminal jury trial in the Southern District of New York and two-week civil bench trial in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, Justin regularly counsels companies on the design and implementation of corporate ethics and compliance programs, including risk assessments, remediation actions, and program enhancements.

Areas of FocusWhite Collar and Corporate CrimeRegulatory and Government AffairsLitigation, Arbitration and InvestigationsAnti-Corruption and the Foreign Corrupt Practices ActTechnologyTelecomsAntitrust and Competition
Bar admissionsDistrict of Columbia
CourtsUnited States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia CircuitUnited States District Court for the District of Columbia
Education
  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
    Executive Articles Editor, The Georgetown Law Journal
    Global Law Scholar
  • M.A., Politics, Princeton University
    Liman Public Interest Law Fellow
  • M.Sc., Politics and Government in the European Union, London School of Economics 
    Fulbright Scholar to the United Kingdom
  • B.A., History and Political Science, University of Mary Washington
    Class Valedictorian

EXPERIENCE

Internal investigations

  • Investigated alleged improper payments in three African countries on behalf of a multinational manufacturing company and advised the board and executives on risks
  • Investigated potential misconduct by company employees and a company supplier during a USD1 billion contract funded by a US government agency for a multinational manufacturing company, involving potential False Claims Act violations
  • Investigated internal accounting violations by company employees for a global health company operating in multiple high-risk countries in Asia and advised on remediation actions

Government investigations

  • Advised a multinational manufacturing company regarding its plea agreement with the DOJ concerning two breaches of a Deferred Prosecution Agreement
  • Advised a global bank during DOJ and SEC investigations into a series of multi-billion-dollar infrastructure loans to an African country, resulting in a successful resolution involving a minimal penalty
  • Advised a global telecommunications company during an Office of Foreign Assets Control inquiry regarding transactions with third parties in a high-risk country, resulting in a No Action Letter
  • Represented an individual associated with a cryptocurrency company during investigations by the DOJ, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and New York State Attorney General’s Office, resulting in no action with respect to the individual
  • Advised a Chinese state-owned construction company in an investigation by the World Bank’s INT, resulting in no new debarment penalty for the company

Litigation and arbitration disputes

  • Represented the former chief executive officer of a public company during a four-week securities fraud criminal jury trial in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, resulting in an acquittal on the conspiracy to commit securities fraud charge
  • Represented a European chemical producer during a two-week civil bench trial in the US District Court for the District of Columbia regarding a Federal Trade Commission action to enjoin a merger, resulting in a ruling in the client’s favor
  • Represented a class of Special Immigrant Visa applicants regarding government processing delays, resulting in favorable rulings in the US District Court for the District of Columbia and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
  • Represented the players’ association for a major sports league in an American Arbitration Association arbitration hearing concerning claimed damages arising from the termination of a license agreement

Corporate compliance

  • Advised a global construction company on legal and operational risks associated with business operations in a high-risk country where designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations operate
  • Advised a global institutional investor on a gap analysis and compliance enhancement initiative addressing legal obligations across eight worldwide jurisdictions with significant operations
  • Advised a global automobile manufacturer on compliance provisions within a major joint venture agreement involving the US-based manufacturer and a Chinese counterparty

Pro Bono

Justin maintains an active pro bono practice that includes individual representation, class action litigation, and appellate advocacy.

Publications and media

Prior Experience

Justin has served as a scholar-in-residence at New York University School of Law, a short-term consultant to the World Bank and the International Labor Organization, and an extern in the Office of the Legal Adviser at the US Department of State. He has also taught or assisted with courses on international relations and international law at Princeton University, Georgetown University Law Center, and the University of Mary Washington.

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member, American Bar Association

My latest insights

Publication

The approaching JASTA deadline: Potential filing activity and implications

16 September 2026 .5 minute read

News

DLA Piper adds cross-border investigations Partner Justin Simeone in Washington, DC

26 August 2026 .2 minute read

Connect

Phone

+1 202 799 4700
(Work, Washington, DC)
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