Education & Academic Honors
Cornell Law School
One of the nation's top law schools. Cornell's rigorous curriculum and emphasis on legal writing shaped the analytical foundation for a career in federal prosecution and defense.
University of Southern California
Graduated with high honors from USC, one of the nation's premier research universities and a top-ranked institution for pre-law studies.
Awards & Professional Recognition
Lawyers of Distinction
Recognized for excellence in federal criminal defense
Lawyers of Distinction 2024
Continued recognition for outstanding federal defense work
5-Star Avvo Rating
Highest rating on the nation's largest legal directory
Best Lawyers
Selected by peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers
San Diego Tribune
Recognized as a top lawyer by the San Diego Tribune
Presidential Clemency Grant
Secured clemency from President Joe Biden in 2024
Career Timeline
Covington & Burling, Washington D.C.
Began legal career at one of the nation's most prestigious law firms, handling high-profile and multimillion-dollar cases with outstanding results.
Assistant U.S. Attorney — Southern District of California
Spent a decade as a federal prosecutor in San Diego, handling serious criminal investigations and receiving numerous awards for trial work.
Arellano Felix Cartel Indictment
Co-wrote the landmark 2003 indictment against the Arellano Felix cartel leadership — one of the most significant federal prosecutions of that era, quoted in national and international newspapers.
Private Practice — Law Offices of John D. Kirby
Opened private federal criminal defense practice. Clients work directly with him — not an associate or junior partner.
International Lecturer — Mexican Federal Tax Administration (SAT)
Hired by the Mexican government to lecture on corruption and U.S. money laundering laws across six federal offices in Mexico.
Presidential Clemency Granted
Successfully represented a client in a Presidential Clemency petition, signed and granted by President Joe Biden.
What We Cover
White Collar Defense HQ covers the full spectrum of federal white collar crime defense: securities fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, RICO, public corruption, antitrust, crypto fraud, embezzlement, and corporate internal investigations. Each article is structured for clarity — practical guidance backed by decades of federal courtroom experience.
Why This Site Exists
Most white collar defense content online is either marketing filler or paywalled legal analysis. This site bridges that gap: substantive, accessible coverage of federal criminal law written by someone who has worked both sides of the courtroom — as a prosecutor and as defense counsel.
Editorial Standards
Every article on White Collar Defense HQ is written or reviewed by John D. Kirby personally. We do not publish AI-generated content without human review. Articles are updated as legislation, DOJ policy, and case law evolve.