Ross Garber Co-Chairs the firm’s Government Investigations and White Collar Crime Group. His practice focuses on conducting internal investigations and representing clients in investigations and prosecutions by federal and state law enforcement agencies and regulators. He also represents clients in high stakes civil litigation. His clients have included multi-national corporations, federal and state public officials and agencies, executives, and professionals. He has also represented two governors in impeachment proceedings - Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina and Gov. John Rowland of Connecticut.
Ross has conducted numerous internal investigations for companies and boards of directors. Recent investigations have related to potential executive misconduct, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, export and trade issues, antitrust matters, violations of securities laws, insider trading, financial fraud and environmental violations.
Ross represents clients in investigations by federal and state law enforcement officials and regulators, including the Department of Justice; SEC; FTC; FINRA; the State Department; state attorneys general; and state securities regulators. He also represents clients in investigations by Congress and state legislatures.
Ross also represents individuals in white-collar criminal investigations and prosecutions. In most cases, clients avoid prosecution entirely. When such a resolution is not possible, however, Ross is an effective advocate for his clients in the courtroom. In a recent federal criminal trial in which Ross represented a land developer, the jury acquitted on 7 of 9 counts, including all charges relating to bank fraud. In another recent trial involving healthcare and insurance fraud allegations brought by a state attorney general, the state withdrew its case after the first day of evidence. In 2009, Ross represented the Office of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford in connection with impeachment proceedings. Following hearings before a special committee of the South Carolina House of Representatives, the committee voted overwhelmingly not to impeach the governor.
In addition to his government investigations practice, Ross also represents clients in high-stakes civil litigation, including class actions.
Ross has conducted crisis management training for the National Governors' Association, investigations training for Congressional staff, and seminars for the Associated Press on covering high-profile investigations. He regularly conducts training for the U.S. Department of Commerce on issues related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Ross is the Co-Chair of the White Collar Crime Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served as Co-Chair of the ABA Subcommittees on Transnational Crime and Public Corruption. He is a contributing author of the book Ethical Standards in the Public Sector (ABA Press 2008).
Ross was chief counsel to two governors of Connecticut and was a member of the current governor’s transition team. He has served as Chair of the Connecticut Judicial Review Council, which is responsible for the investigation and discipline of state judges, and as a member of the state’s Judicial Selection Commission.
Ross was a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny.
- AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Listed as a Connecticut Super Lawyer® Criminal Defense: White Collar; 2006-2012
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: White-Collar Criminal Defense; 2012-2013; Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law; 2013
- National Co-Chair, White Collar Crime Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Former Regional Co-Chair, White Collar Crime Committee of the American Bar Association
- Former Co-Chair, Public Corruption Subcommittee of the American Bar Association
- Former Co-Chair, Transnational Crime Subcommittee of the American Bar Association
- Executive Committee, Federal Practice Section of the Connecticut Bar Association
- Fellow, Connecticut Bar Foundation
- Member, American Judicature Society
- Board of Directors, Connecticut Legal Services
- Board of Directors, Connecticut Foundation for Open Government
- Board of Directors, UConn Law School Foundation
- Member, Federal Grievance Committee (appointed by Chief U.S. District Judge); 2006 - 2012
- Chair, Connecticut Judicial Review Council (appointed by Governor); 2007- 2010
- Member, Connecticut Judicial Selection Commission (appointed by Governor); 2000 - 2002
Public Corruption Prosecutions and Investigations
Defense in public corruption prosecutions and investigations, including those related to misuse of public office and bribery.
International Trade and FCPA Investigations
Representation of clients in investigations of possible violations of FCPA, export, customs, and trade sanctions laws.