Shaun Clarke
sclarke@mbssmartlaw.com
(713) 858-1657 (504) 977-1110
Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP
Partner, Smyser Kaplan & Veselka LLP
Principal, Gerger & Clarke
Shareholder, Liskow & Lewis
Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana
Deputy City Attorney, San Francisco
Law Clerk to the Hon. D. Lowell Jensen, Northern District of California
J.D., Yale Law School
B.A., Brown University
Shaun Clarke
“A master in handling government investigations on behalf of a nationwide clientele.” - Chambers
“The best there is.” - Leading white-collar defense attorney
“Gets really good results in high-profile cases.” - Chambers
An “absolute pro” with “exceptional credentials and experience.” - Leading Houston commercial litigator
Shaun is a fearless trial lawyer who takes on, tries, and wins tough cases, whether civil or criminal—seeing a path to victory that others often miss. He considers trial strategy from the first meeting with a client, thinking about every detail of trial presentation while never losing sight of the big picture. He helps clients avoid or minimize litigation risks, too, by skillfully navigating complex criminal and corporate investigations. He is deeply familiar with their contours, having worked as a prosecutor leading multi-agency investigations and prosecutions.
In private practice, Shaun has led defense teams in nearly every area of white-collar criminal defense. He has helped clients avoid indictment or secured early dismissal of charges. And in cases that proceed to trial, he has repeatedly won acquittals. Many of his victories have come in high-profile cases such as the acquittal of a BP employee charged with causing the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, dismissal of charges against a Division I college coach in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals decision immunizing offshore contractors from criminal charges under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
Shaun has also successfully handled high-stakes civil cases, such as multi-district opioid, healthcare, environmental, False Claims Act, and other “bet the company” litigation. He likewise has experience in arbitrations and appeals. His clients range from Fortune 50 companies to individuals.
Shaun regularly speaks on issues related to trial tactics, corporate investigations, white-collar crime, and environmental crime.
-
● Negotiated dismissal of charges against collegiate coach indicted in the “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal.
● Prevented takeover attempt by major competitor of hospital in antitrust litigation.
● Obtained “not guilty” verdict for BP well site leader charged with manslaughter and environmental crimes arising from Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
● Obtained “not guilty” verdict for individual charged with insider trading from merger of The Shaw Group with Chicago Bridge & Iron.
● Represented major pharmaceutical distributor in multidistrict opioid litigation.
● Negotiated favorable settlement for energy company in False Claims Act case alleging failure to report and pay $330 million in royalties on natural gas.
● Obtained reversal of a business executive's conviction based on government's violation of his Fifth Amendment rights.
● Secured dismissal for government contractor in False Claims Act case alleging that contractor had defrauded Small Business Administration.
● Negotiated favorable settlement and avoided criminal charges for medical device manufacturer employee in case alleging fraudulent billing for hip replacements.
● Won reversal of $17 million restitution award imposed on defendant in investment fraud case.
● Avoided criminal charges against major energy company in federal investigation of alleged violations of Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
● Secured favorable outcome for former New York Yankee in congressional investigation of performance enhancing drug use in major league baseball.
● Successfully represented hospital in Louisiana Attorney General’s investigation of alleged euthanizing of stranded patients following Hurricane Katrina.
● Helped major steel manufacturer overcome grand jury investigation and civil False Claims Act case alleging over $500 million in damages.
● Successfully represented medical scientist in federal investigation of alleged illegal importation of research animals.
● Successfully navigated congressional investigation for senior executive of oilfield services company.
● Obtained injunction for Louisiana organ transplant centers to prevent federal government from implementing allocation system that would have disadvantaged Louisiana patients.
● Won dismissal of Civil RICO charges filed against a prominent law firm and one of its partners.
-
White Collar Crime Symposium, Louisiana State Bar Association
“Navigating DOJ Enforcement Trends in the Health Care Sector,” Medical Group Management Association Leaders Conference
“Navigating DOJ Corporate Enforcement Trends: 2022 and Beyond,” Association of Corporate Counsel
-
Chambers USA, “White Collar Crime & Government Investigations”
Best Lawyers in America: Commercial Litigation, General Criminal Defense, White Collar Criminal Defense, Securities Litigation
Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation
Thomson Reuters Super Lawyer
-
State Bars of Texas and Louisiana
Supreme Court of the United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas
United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western District of Louisiana
American Bar Association, White Collar Crime Committee
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Federal Bar Association