LAW PRACTICE STEVEN B. UNGAR. [p] [f] [direct]

Transcription

1 LAW PRACTICE For more than 35 years, Steven Ungar has focused his practice on white collar criminal defense, government investigations, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, subpoena response, professional licensing, government affairs, and crisis management. His experience includes serving as General Counsel for a public company operating in the software and gaming technology sectors; as Chair of the Oregon State Lottery Commission, a gubernatorial appointment; and as Special Counsel to a health insurance co-op. STEVEN B. UNGAR [p] [f] [direct] STEVE@ANGELILAW.COM EDUCATION J.D., University of Missouri, 1979 B.A., Washington University, St. Louis, 1975 ADMISSIONS State bars of Oregon and Washington U.S. Supreme Court Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Eight Circuit Court of Appeals U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon U.S. District Court for the District of Montana Steven has handled dozens of high-profile matters for U.S. and foreign corporations of all sizes; business executives; colleges and universities; nonprofit organizations; and Native American tribes. In addition to handling complex litigation, he frequently leads interdisciplinary teams of professionals including lawyers, forensic accountants and investigators in negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, media-related issues, and, where necessary, prosecuting or defending adversarial proceedings. Since moving to Oregon 20 years ago, he has been one of the Northwest s go-to lawyers in each of these areas, consistently recognized as a first-tier choice for businesses and individuals facing complex legal problems. I. Government Investigations, Civil and Criminal Litigation and Regulatory Compliance Steven has extensive expertise and experience assisting clients who face governmental investigations, federal criminal prosecutions, and regulatory compliance demands. His experience and expertise in dealing with government agencies, law enforcement, IRS investigators and prosecutors translates into favorable outcomes for Angeli Ungar clients facing complex personal, legal and business problems, including: securities audits, investigations, and enforcement actions at both the federal and state level; P AGE 1

2 tax audits and inquiries at both the federal and state level; broker-dealer misconduct; bank and bankruptcy audits and fraud; misappropriation of trade secrets or intellectual property; computer- and internet-related offenses, including hacking and identity theft; and obstruction of justice and perjury. Representative matters and clients in this area include: Represented website and software developer (involving Bitcoin) facing SEC investigation into alleged securities, commodities and currency violations. Represented numerous individuals and businesses under investigation by IRS Criminal Investigation Division for alleged tax fraud, tax evasion, failure to file tax returns, and off-shore banking violations. Counsel to national account executive accused of IP theft, computer crime and related federal violations. Represented Internet gaming company targeted in SEC and parallel criminal fraud investigation Counsel to broker of Fortune 100 Company facing grand jury investigations into conspiracy, tax fraud and money laundering. Counsel to former Enron executive in Enron Task Force investigations and prosecutions. Counsel to former CEO/CFO of public company facing indictment by DOJ alleging Sarbanes- Oxley violations, accounting fraud and securities fraud. Counsel to commercial lender under parallel investigations by state Attorney Generals and FTC for fraud and deceptive trade practices relating to alleged Ponzi-scheme. Counsel to pastor of mega-church facing civil, criminal tax and securities violations. Special counsel to executive investigated by DOJ for alleged antitrust violations relating to trade cartels in Asia. Counsel to securities broker at a Fortune 100 mutual fund investigated by SEC and New York Attorney General for alleged market timing and after-hours trade violations. Counsel to real estate developer and appraiser prosecuted for SBA, HUD and bankruptcy fraud. P AGE 2

3 II. Gaming Law: Lottery, Casino, Bingo, Racing and Tribal Issues Steven has extensive experience in all sectors of the highly regulated gaming and lottery industries, including all aspects of traditional and video lottery; internet and online gaming; tribal gaming; and media relations and crisis management for gaming and lottery companies. He served as Commissioner and Chairman of the Oregon State Lottery from , and has served as special compliance counsel and general counsel to public companies doing business in the gaming, lottery and parimutuel betting industries. In particular, Steven s expertise and representative matters in this area include: Advising two Oregon Governors ( ) on lottery issues including maximizing Oregon Lottery revenues; implementing responsible gaming measures; securing funding for specific projects; and media inquiries. Advising businesses and individuals in lottery issues in the U.S., Canada and international jurisdictions, including providing general legal counsel and transactional advice in software purchases and central system compliance and troubleshooting for lottery launches (both video and traditional). Representing gaming and lottery software and hardware developers and operators in RFP submissions, responses, challenges and in-person interviews with regulators, financial and bonding advisors. Acting as special counsel to an Australian lottery firm regarding its international marketing, regulatory and general legal affairs. Representing foreign company marketing lottery and gaming technology in U.S., Asia and Europe Managing regulatory compliance at the federal, state and local levels, including in official administrative proceedings with gaming and lottery regulators and background investigations. Counseling internet and online gaming companies regarding government affairs; legislative drafting; establishment of systems, hardware and software framework and protocols; and risk assessments and security solutions. Advising buyers, sellers and investors in transactions in regulated gaming and lottery projects involving operational compliance and due diligence processes. Advising Native American casinos on economic development and sustainability; sovereignty issues; and governance and operations. Coordinating with specialists to protect intellectual property including patents, trademarks, and copyrights while assuring appropriate confidentiality. Managing media relations and crisis management in the gaming and lottery context. P AGE 3

4 III. Crisis Management Steven is often called upon to represent firm clients in preventing or mitigating the effects of financial and public relations crises, limiting personal and economic hardship, and minimizing financial damages and other adverse consequences. When a serious problem or crisis cannot be prevented, he has a proven track record of providing hands-on guidance to executives, managers and boards to contain crises and enhance strategic decision-making. His experience includes providing both above-the-radar legal representation and behind-the-scenes advice regarding public and media relations; coordinating with public relations firms and other professionals; conducting independent internal investigations (e.g., for special committees formed by a board of directors); and coordinating constructive dialogues with government investigators. IV. Health Care Law Steven has extensive experience representing health care providers, who face a myriad of increasingly complex state and federal laws, rules and regulations, as well as a heightened level of scrutiny from both federal and state investigators. He recently co-authored the chapter on Health Care Fraud and Abuse in the Oregon State Bar s Health Law in Oregon, an attorneys guide to the laws and regulations surrounding health care in Oregon. He helps clients navigate these laws and, where necessary, respond to investigations and other enforcement actions, including reimbursement audits and actions to recover alleged overpayments. Representative matters in this area include: Special counsel to Health Republic Insurance Co-Op (Insurance Carrier established under the Affordable Care Act). Representation of nonprofit mental health care provider under investigation resulting from employee s homicide. Representation of physicians, pharmacists, laboratories, attorneys, architects and other licensed professionals in administrative proceedings. Representation of nonprofit addiction treatment and recovery center following death of patient. Conduct internal investigation for representation of health care providers regarding investigations by HHS-Office of Inspector General, including allegations of former employee/whistleblowers; conduct concurrent internal investigations. Legislative counsel to health care company lobbying the Oregon legislature for changes to Medicaid funding laws. P AGE 4

5 V. Native American Legal Affairs For years, Steven has served a number of Native American tribes as an effective Special Counsel on both internal and external matters involving criminal law, regulatory compliance, taxation, gaming, and jurisdictional and economic development matters. Working with colleagues at the firm and hand-picked consultants, Steven approaches serious problems in a manner ranging from under the radar strategic counsel to task-force type representation, providing legal assistance to Tribal councils and boards focusing on: Tribal governance Tribal elections Negotiations with the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney, BIA and other federal agencies Tribal gaming and related federal and state regulatory issues, including Compacts, IGRA and NIGC compliance, and state-level gaming commissions Financial transactions and restructuring Environmental regulatory compliance Crisis management, political, media and public relations VI. Professional Licensing Steven takes a balanced yet appropriately aggressive and comprehensive approach to protecting the rights of professionals targeted in licensing investigations. He has represented licensed professionals and firms in all stages of formal and informal disciplinary actions before licensing and supervisory boards, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, engineers, chiropractors, psychologists, dentists, professional counselors and educators. Steven also assists our clients facing regulatory obstacles in obtaining and maintaining licenses to do business or practice in Oregon and Washington. Representative matters and clients in this area include: Special Counsel to regional law firm (and member lawyers) under criminal investigation and subject to state bar complaints for alleged conspiracy and fraud in the procurement of government funds. Counsel to law firm specializing in taxation arising out of tax shelter opinions given to clients in federal criminal prosecutions. Recent successful representations of national architectural firm as well as several physicians, pharmacists and attorneys in licensure proceedings before respective boards. P AGE 5

6 VII. Representing Crime Victims The increasing recognition of victims rights in both criminal and civil cases and in both federal and state courts, including those in Oregon and Washington has given rise to a growing practice area. Steven s experience as both a criminal defense lawyer and as counsel for governmental entities and organizations provides an excellent foundation from which to advocate on behalf of victims of criminal acts. He has successfully obtained in-depth information about the prosecution of crimes committed against our clients, protected and recovered property and property rights, and secured commitments to receive counseling and financial compensation. In a recent high-profile case involving the kidnapping and assault of his client, Gert Boyle, Founder and Chairwoman of Columbia Sportswear Company, Steven won an expanded role on her behalf, advocating for specific relief and results in the plea negotiation and sentencing process. He has assisted clients in asserting victims rights by representing witnesses giving testimony about their injuries before grand juries and in civil cases; facilitating cooperation with government prosecutors and regulatory agencies; coordinating with lawyers who file lawsuits on behalf of victims for compensation; and advising on alternatives (e.g., injunctions and results sought in proceedings before parole boards) to protect our client-victims rights. VIII. Environmental Investigations and Prosecutions Steven s legal experience in this area includes both federal- and state-level investigations, which lead to civil and criminal enforcement in an increasingly complex and voluminous environmental regulatory landscape. He has represented clients in negotiating settlements and litigating issues arising out of alleged violations concerning air, water and hazardous chemicals. Representative matters and clients include: Counsel to First Engineer of shipping company alleged to have violated Clean Water Act and related federal and state environmental laws. Counsel to CEO of Oregon Port Authority in EPA/DEQ civil and criminal investigation. Special Counsel to large regional utility on internal personnel matters and environmental issues. P AGE 6

7 PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ACT I V I T I E S Chairman, Oregon Lottery Commission ( ) first appointed by Governor Ted Kulongoski, continued service under Governor John Kitzhaber. Member and Chair, Governor s Judicial Screening Committee ( ) interviewing judicial candidates for vacancies and other appointments. Member, Board of Directors of Health Republic Insurance Co-Op (2014-present) President and Litigation Coordinator, American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) of Montana ( ) Member, Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Portland s Community Relations Committee ( ) Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Member, National Board of Directors of Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) ( ) Stanford Jazz Workshop, instruction and performance (drums) (1978-Present) HONORS AND AWARDS Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell, having received a peer review rating of 5.0 out of Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America, White Collar Criminal Defense ( ) Named as Oregon Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers magazine, Criminal Defense: White Collar ( ) Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce Leadership in Law Award Finalist (2012) American Civil Liberties Union (Montana), Special Commendation for 10 years service as President (1994) P AGE 7