Patricia A. Pileggi

Partner

As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and white collar practitioner with more than 30 years of litigation experience, Patricia is able to shepherd her clients through the intricate maze of state and federal enforcement proceedings.

Patricia Pileggi

Patricia devotes her well-honed trial and investigative skills (as well as her intimate working knowledge of government process) to private clients, concentrating her practice in the areas of internal investigations, white collar criminal defense, corporate compliance, and litigation. She has represented individuals and businesses confronted with allegations of criminal conduct regarding government contracts, antitrust, corruption, tax, securities, fraud, insurance, identity theft, bankruptcy, and environmental issues. She has successfully served her clients in grand jury investigations, trials, sentencings, and appeals in federal and state courts.

Businesses regularly call upon Patricia to conduct internal investigations of improper accounting practices, diversion of corporate funds, government contract fraud, conflicts of interest, public corruption, and kickbacks. Thanks to her efforts, these internal actions often lead to internal solutions.

Patricia also frequently advises individuals and businesses on their U.S. tax and foreign asset reporting (FBAR and FATCA) obligations, and represents individuals with undisclosed foreign bank accounts through the New York State and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) voluntary disclosure programs.

Chosen by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers to instruct other attorneys in White Collar Criminal Defense, Patricia is AV Rated by Martindale­Hubbell, and has been named a New York Super Lawyer and one of the “Legal Elite” of Litigation by Avenue Magazine.

Patricia began her career as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice, Honors Program, and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York. In the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she held the positions of Chief of the Public Integrity Section and Tax Fraud Coordinator. As a federal prosecutor, she investigated and prosecuted hundreds of cases involving government contract fraud, securities fraud, tax fraud, and public corruption, winning both the Outstanding Attorney Award from the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and the IRS Criminal Investigation’s highest honor, The Chief’s Award.

Experience

Patricia’s notable representations include:

  • Executive in antitrust investigation of automobile industry conducted by Department of Justice and European Commission.
  • National construction firm during Department of Justice investigation of payments to union officials.
  • Contractors under investigation by the Department of Justice and Manhattan District Attorney for minority contracting fraud.
  • Project Manager of construction firm during Department of Justice investigation of kickbacks to public officials.
  • Partner of national accounting firm during Department of Justice investigation of the promotion of fraudulent tax shelters.
  • Individuals and businesses during IRS civil audits and criminal investigations arising out of the misstatement of income, expenses, and tax sheltered investments.

Internal investigations on behalf of:

  • International provider of information systems into possible overbilling of government entities.
  • International manufacturer into improper accounting practices.

Professional Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee; Section of Litigation, Securities Litigation Committee; Section of Taxation, Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee
  • Federal Bar Council
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, White Collar Criminal Defense College Instructor
  • New York State Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
  • New York City Bar Association
  • New York Council of Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors

Publications

  • “Why Not Evasion?” (co-author) TaxNotes (Nov. 6, 2017)
  • “A Stacked Deck: Getting Justice for Grand Jury Leaks,” (co-author) Schiff Hardin Insight (May 30, 2017)

Speeches & Presentations

  • “Financial Crimes Enforcement, Compliance & Risk Mitigation Workshop,” (panelist) Bahamas Financial Services Board Development Series, Nassau, Bahamas (Feb. 19, 2020)
  • “Protecting Privileges,” (panelist) 36th Annual National Institute: Criminal Tax Fraud, Las Vegas, Nev. (Dec. 11, 2019)
  • “Must Do Motions: A Checklist for Criminal Tax Cases,” (panelist) 35th Annual National Institute: Criminal Tax Fraud, Las Vegas, Nev. (Dec. 13, 2018)
  • “Preparing your Client for the Government Interview,” (panelist) 2018 Fall Tax Meeting, Atlanta, Ga. (Oct. 6, 2018)
  • “Managing Tax-Related Whistleblowers, Leaks and Derivative Suits,” (panelist) 5th Annual International Tax Enforcement And Controversy Conference, Washington, D.C. (Oct. 27, 2017)
  • “Attorney Client Privilege and Work Product,” (panelist) New York State­Federal Judicial Council and Second Circuit Judicial Council (Jun. 2015)
  • “Successful Strategies for Securing Exculpatory Evidence,” (panelist) Advanced Summit on White Collar Litigation, American Conference Institute (Jan. 2013)
  • NACDL White Collar Criminal Defense College, (instructor) Stetson University College of Law (Mar. 2015, Mar. 2014, Jan. 2013, Mar. 2012)
  • “Representing Clients in Federal & State Criminal Tax Investigations,” (panelist) New York City Bar Association (Mar. 11, 2010)
  • As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, taught at the National Advocacy Center and at the FBI Academy.

Perspectives

Awards

Firm Logo

  • Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2022-2024)
  • New York Metro Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2008, 2010-2012, 2017-2019)
  • New York Metro Women’s Edition Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters (2018-2020)