Roger A. Burlingame
Partner | London | New York
Roger A. Burlingame

Roger A. Burlingame focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement matters and related civil litigation. A former high-ranking prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice and seasoned trial lawyer, Mr. Burlingame defends individual and corporate clients based primarily in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) from cross-border U.S. government investigations. He routinely serves as lead defense counsel in high-profile investigations relating to fraud, collusion, manipulation and abuse in the financial markets, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (FCPA) violations and other bribery prosecutions, as well as money laundering, tax evasion, and asset forfeiture. Mr. Burlingame also advises companies on corporate governance and compliance matters.

Consistently recognized as the leading lawyer for UK and EMEA-based clients facing U.S. government criminal and regulatory investigations, Mr. Burlingame is ranked by Chambers UK for Financial Crime: Individuals (2023) and has been described as "the go-to guy for any case with a U.S. angle". Who’s Who Legal Investigations 2020 raves "investigations lawyers do not come any better than Roger Burlingame", with Chambers UK 2020-2023 noting that "he really fights for clients and gets great results", and "he is an excellent lawyer" who "maintains a stellar reputation for his expertise in cross- border white-collar matters with a U.S. dimension". The Legal 500 UK ranks him as a Leading Individual for Fraud: White Collar Crime (2022-2023), describing him as "a seasoned and very experienced litigator in financial crime cases", with "superb client skills and is excellent on extradition" (2020). The Legal 500 UK also lists him as a key lawyer for Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime (2023). Also ranked by Chambers High Net Worth 2021, peers comment: "if we ever were conflicted out, Roger would be my first call. He is at the top of any list for representing high net worth individuals"; "[he is] very good at handling the dynamics of complex financial crime matters"; "[Burlingame] is a zealous advocate for his clients and he always has his clients' best interests at heart".

As a prosecutor, Mr. Burlingame served as Chief of the Public Integrity Section and Senior Trial Counsel in the Business and Securities Fraud Section at the U.S. Department of Justice (as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York). In these roles, he led and supervised scores of white-collar criminal matters, including bribery/FCPA investigations, securities, tax, corporate, healthcare and accounting frauds, and collusive market practices cases. Mr. Burlingame also led and oversaw mutual legal assistance treaty requests and extraditions.

For his work at the Department of Justice, Mr. Burlingame won numerous awards, including the New York City Bar Association’s Henry L. Stimson Medal, presented annually to the top federal prosecutor in each of New York’s two U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation’s "Investigator of the Year" award and the Council of Inspectors General "Excellence in Investigation" award.

Mr. Burlingame is an active contributor to the legal community, frequently speaking at conferences and authoring articles on defending clients from cross-border government investigations. His writing has appeared in publications such as The New York Law Journal; Global Investigations Review; Law 360; The European, Middle Eastern and African Investigations Review; Fraud Intelligence and Bloomberg BNA. For many years, Mr. Burlingame also taught a seminar in U.S. federal prosecution at New York University School of Law.

  • Billionaire Chinese Real Estate Developer Zhang Li against U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) bribery charges in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of San Francisco.
  • The Global Head of Trading and Investment Banking at a German-based global investment bank in a DOJ investigation of an alleged $10 billion fraud and money laundering scheme.
  • UK-based futures trader Navinder Sarao against DOJ market manipulation charges in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that Sarao caused the 2010 “Flash Crash," a trillion-dollar market event.
  • A UK-based former professional football player against fraud and money laundering charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • The U.S.-based co-founder and CEO of Signature Bank in enforcement and civil matters arising from the bank’s 2023 seizure by the FDIC.
  • The former CEO of a Portuguese international investment advisory firm against charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging the laundering of $1.2 billion.
  • The Israeli-based founder and owner of a premier online cryptocurrency casino in a DOJ money laundering, tax evasion and gaming investigation.
  • A UK-based former senior media executive against DOJ sanctions charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
  • A co-founder and former Alameda Research executive in the DOJ investigation of FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried.
  • The India-based Chairman of an NYSE-traded solar power company in DOJ and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) bribery and securities fraud investigations.
  • The London-based head of sales and finance at multiple top fine art galleries against DOJ charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging an $85 million art fraud.
  • The Hong Kong-based former CEO of Wealth and Investment at a global UK-based bank in a DOJ investigation into money laundering and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations.
  • A Hong Kong-based broker for a cryptocurrency hedge fund in simultaneous investigations by the DOJ, CFTC, SEC and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
  • A U.S.-based stock trader against federal criminal market manipulation, money laundering and tax evasion charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, as well as parallel asset forfeiture and SEC enforcement actions based on the use of novel liquidity arbitrage strategies in U.S. securities markets.
  • A multi-billion dollar Bahamian-based trust and its trustees in a DOJ money laundering and sanctions evasion investigation.
  • The London-based, billionaire founder of a cryptocurrency exchange from the UK, U.S., and international criminal and regulatory effects of a Chinese government prosecution of the exchange.
  • A UK-based commodities futures trader against criminal spoofing, wire and commodities fraud charges in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and a parallel CFTC enforcement action in the same district.
  • The owners of Monaco-based global oil services company against criminal charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas alleging conspiracy to bribe government officials in nine CIS, Middle Eastern and African countries.
  • The CEO and founder of an asset management company with $50 billion under management in a DOJ asset forfeiture action relating to a $630 million embezzlement scheme.
  • The former EMEA Head of the Portfolio Solutions Group for State Street bank against charges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging a $15 million wire and securities fraud.
  • The director of a UK-based affiliate of the largest internet prescription drug distributor to the U.S., against felony misbranding, money laundering and smuggling charges in the U.S. District of Montana.
  • An ultra-high-net-worth businessman based in a CIS country in obtaining delisting from U.S. and EU sanctions.
  • The Dubai-based owner of one of Africa’s largest trading companies in a DOJ investigation into alleged sanctions and FCPA violations.
  • The regional head of Financial Crime and Compliance and several team members at a UK- based global bank pursuant to an investigation by several U.S. authorities into possible sanctions violations and money laundering related transaction monitoring issues.
  • The former CEO for Eurasia for a Swedish telecom company targeted in U.S., Swiss, Swedish and Dutch investigations into alleged bribery in Uzbekistan.
  • A portfolio manager for a leading UK hedge fund with more than $7 billion in assets under management in an internal investigation into spoofing.
  • The UK-based former head of prime services at a global bank in a DOJ antitrust investigation.
  • The former regional CEO of a UK-based global bank in a joint DOJ SEC investigation into potential FCPA violations stemming from the bank's Asia-Pacific hiring practices.
  • An ultra-high-net-worth African businessman in obtaining removal from U.S. and UK sanctions lists for alleged corruption.
  • The Dubai-based owners of multinational mining, media, technology and other companies in seeking U.S. sanctions de-listing and defending investigations by U.S., South African and other criminal authorities into an alleged multi-billion-dollar bribery scheme.
  • The Global Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at a French global investment bank in a DOJ investigation into alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations in securing investments from North African sovereign investment authority.
  • A UK-based principal in a venture capital fund with over $100 billion under management in defending allegations of engaging in a short and distort stock manipulation scheme.
  • Several employees of investment banks in response to an investigation by the DOJ, SEC and CFTC into alleged LIBOR manipulation in relation to the U.S. dollar and other currencies in an investigation being conducted by the DOJ, SFO and the SEC into possible FCPA violations arising out of certain Southeast Asian projects.
  • The board of directors of a Swiss bank in conducting an internal investigation in response to DOJ investigation into tax evasion and resolving the same.
  • A former officer of a global mining and exploration company in an investigation being conducted by the DOJ, SFO and the SEC into possible FCPA violations arising out of certain Southeast Asian projects.
  • Numerous UK- and Dubai-based commodities traders in DOJ, CFTC and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) investigations into manipulative trading and spoofing.
  • The Audit Committee of a European pharmaceutical company in conducting an internal investigation into operations in Eastern Europe, in connection with alleged FCPA, accounting and antitrust violations.
  • Multiple UK-based auditors employed by a global media company in a DOJ investigation into FCPA violations in China.
  • A UK-based U.S. Treasury trader in a DOJ & CFTC investigation into alleged spoofing.
  • The Head of Treasury for a French global bank in a DOJ investigation into LIBOR manipulation.
  • A senior sales executive at a global waste management company in investigations by DOJ and Ecuadorian authorities into money laundering and corruption.
  • Several index derivative traders for global investment banks in DOJ and UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigations into alleged collusion, market manipulation and fraud.
  • The head of UK-based precious metal futures trading desk in inquiries by the DOJ, CFTC and CME into alleged spoofing and market manipulation.
  • The CEO of a Swiss asset management company in a DOJ investigation into tax evasion.
  • Numerous complex derivatives brokers in investigations by the SFO, the New York Attorney General and the CFTC relating to fraud and market manipulation.
  • Numerous London-based foreign exchange traders at global investment banks in response to a DOJ investigation into alleged market manipulation.
  • A London-based trader in an investigation by the DOJ's fraud and antitrust sections and the SEC into collusion in the Sub-Sovereign and Agency bond market.
  • The head of private wealth management for a global investment bank in a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) inquiry into insider trading.
  • Multiple derivative traders for French global investment banks in DOJ investigations into market manipulation allegations.
  • A U.S.-based futures trader charged with commodities fraud and spoofing in the Southern District of Texas and a parallel CFTC enforcement action.
  • A UK resident targeted in a DOJ tax investigation of an alleged multi-billion-dollar tax fraud.
  • A London-based hedge fund founder targeted in an SEC insider trading investigation.
  • An ultra-high-net-worth Swiss citizen in a DOJ investigation into tax evasion.
  • Multiple current and former employees of a UK-based global bank in a DOJ investigation into alleged violations of U.S. sanctions on Iran.
  • A former senior executive in private wealth management for an Israeli bank in a DOJ investigation into tax evasion in Switzerland.
  • An ultra high-net-worth Gulf state businessman in obtaining removal of an improper Interpol Red Notice and curing its collateral consequences.
  • A China-based U.S.-businessman in a DOJ investigation of alleged violations of U.S. sanctions on North Korea.
  • Numerous Dubai-based individuals at a UK-based global bank pursuant to an investigation by DOJ and several other U.S. authorities into violations of the Iranian sanctions regime.
  • Multiple UK and Ireland-based former employees of a U.S.-based global payments company in a DOJ money laundering and wire fraud investigation.
  • The London-based head of a global sales desk for a multinational bank in a DOJ investigation into fraud and market manipulation concerning the alleged leak of confidential information to a major hedge fund.
  • A senior executive of a global UK engineering company in response to allegations of bribery relating to the procurement of overseas contracts.

Includes matters handled at Dechert and prior to joining the firm.

  • Investigations, Sovereign Counsel Series Webinar – Virtual (September 2021)
  • Panel on Recent Trials, 9th White Collar Crime Institute - Virtual (January, 2021)
  • Extradition in Business Crime Cases, 4th Annual 33 Chancery Lane Business Crime Conference – London (November, 2019)
  • Money Laundering: Has the US Hammer Gone Global?, ABA White Collar Crime Institute – London (October, 2019)
  • Financial Institutions Enforcement, Cambridge Forums – New York (May 2019)
  • Chair, Global Forum on Protecting the Wealthy, Their Assets & Advisors, Cambridge Forums - Surrey (February, 2019)
  • Expert Testimony – House of Lords' Select Committee on Bribery Act, Palace of Westminster – London (November, 2018)
  • The Special Relationship with the USA: An Extradition Case Study, Annual DELF Conference – London (September, 2018)
  • Corporate Crime: Educating the Board; Defending the Company & Its Directors, Company Secretary Forum – London (November, 2017)
  • Outward View on International Corruption, Transatlantic General Counsel Summit – London (June, 2017)
  • Combating Market Misconduct – What Needs to be Done?, ABA White Collar Crime Institute – London (October, 2016)
  • Navigating Cross-border Investigations – UK and U.S. Perspectives, Webinar - London (June, 2016)
  • Financial Institutions Enforcement, Cambridge Forums – Connecticut (May, 2016)
  • Conflicting Compliance: When Foreign Laws Are at Odds with Anti-Corruption Compliance under the FCPA and UK Bribery Act, SCCE European Compliance & Ethics Institute – Prague (March, 2016)
  • The Art of Conducting Effective Investigations in High Risk Markets, C5 Anti-Corruption Conference – London, (June, 2015)
  • An International Conundrum: Conducting an Internal Investigation on Behalf of a Multinational Organization, New York Law Journal Webinar – New-York (November, 2014)
  • Collateral Consequences – It's Not Over When You Think It’s Over, ABA White Collar Crime Institute – London (October, 2014)
  • Expert Testimony – House of Lord’s Select Committee on UK/US Extradition, Palace of Westminster – London (July, 2014)
  • Responding to the New Corruption Landscape, C5 Anti-Corruption Conference – London (June, 2014)
  • US-UK Extradition - An Inside Perspective, Extradition Lawyers Association – London (June, 2014)
  • Deferred Prosecution Agreements in Practice, Fraud Lawyers Association – London (June, 2014)
  • Deferred Prosecution Agreements, QEB Hollis Whiteman – London (January, 2014)
  • Theft of Identity and Impersonation – Who are You Dealing With?, Cambridge International Symposium on Economic Crime – Cambridge (September, 2013)
  • Cross Border Jurisdictional Fraud, The Fraud Lawyers Association – London (July, 2013)
Services Industries
    • University of Wisconsin - Madison, B.A.
    • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D.
    • Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales
    • New York
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
    • European Criminal Bar Association
    • Extradition Lawyers' Association
    • Fraud Lawyers Association
    • International Bar Association
    • American Bar Association
    • New York State Bar Association
    • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    • JUSTICE