Dickstein Shapiro Welcomes Barbara “Biz” Van Gelder

(Washington, DC)—Dickstein Shapiro is pleased to announce the continued expansion of its Business Litigation Practice with the arrival of Partner Barbara “Biz” Van Gelder. Ms. Van Gelder is a well-known criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor who focuses her practice on white collar, public corruption, healthcare, and civil RICO litigation, as well as matters involving government fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act, and congressional investigations. Washingtonian magazine calls her a “top criminal defense lawyer” and “someone to call if you find yourself drawn into an awkward congressional investigation, or worse, a grand-jury investigation by the Justice Department or the U.S. Attorney’s office.”

“Biz is a highly respected and experienced white-collar powerhouse whose strengths are particularly evident where white-collar work and government contract matters intersect,” said Dickstein Shapiro Chairman Michael E. Nannes. “As a longtime friend and co-counsel to many of Dickstein Shapiro’s partners, we are delighted that she is joining our team. Her capacity to counsel clients on the most complex white collar matters will provide additional dimension and strength to our significant white collar criminal defense and investigations bench.”

“Dickstein Shapiro understands Washington and the unique problems that government -related litigation presents to clients who are regulated or investigated by the federal government,” said Ms. Van Gelder. “The firm has great depth in its white collar, government contracts, and government relations practices, which will provide my clients with full coverage of their criminal, civil, administrative and legislative needs. It is truly a full-service firm. Dickstein Shapiro attorneys are known for their effective solutions to complex problems, and I look forward to working with them.”

Ms. Van Gelder is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section on Public Contract Law, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Assistant United States Attorney Association. Prior to joining Dickstein Shapiro, Ms. Van Gelder was a partner in the litigation practice at Morgan Lewis. Prior to that, she was a partner and head of the white-collar litigation group at a Wiley Rein. She also served for more than 14 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia in both the criminal and civil divisions. Ms. Van Gelder earned her J.D. from Emory University School of Law (1976) and her B.A. from Boston University (1972).

Dickstein Shapiro’s White Collar Criminal Defense & Investigations Practice has an impressive record of success in representing corporations and individuals facing high-risk federal, state, or local criminal or regulatory investigations and decades-long experience in the most complex and challenging cases. The firm’s attorneys, many of whom are former federal and state prosecutors, have tried hundreds of cases and conducted countless internal investigations. Attorneys in the practice use experience and skill to design and implement strategies to resolve sensitive matters discreetly and without public scrutiny, while helping firm clients maintain business stability. Dickstein Shapiro has obtained successful results in numerous complicated and high-profile criminal and regulatory cases from Watergate, Iran-Contra, and Whitewater to Enron, Tyco, and Worldcom.

Dickstein Shapiro LLP
Dickstein Shapiro LLP, founded in 1953, is internationally recognized for its work with clients, from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Dickstein Shapiro provides strategic counsel and develops multidisciplinary legal solutions by leveraging its core strengths—litigation, regulatory, transactions, and advocacy—to successfully advance clients’ business interests.

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