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Eric Beste
OVERVIEW

Eric J. Beste

Partner-in-Charge, San Diego Office

San Diego

655 W. Broadway
Suite 1300
San Diego, CA 92101

Los Angeles

2029 Century Park East
Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90067

P 619-321-5015

F 310-284-3894

Eric Beste transforms his two decades of federal prosecution experience into a powerful shield for businesses and individuals facing government scrutiny. He unravels complex legal challenges, crafting persuasive narratives that resonate in white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and high-stakes litigation.

OVERVIEW

Eric Beste transforms his two decades of federal prosecution experience into a powerful shield for businesses and individuals facing government scrutiny. He unravels complex legal challenges, crafting persuasive narratives that resonate in white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and high-stakes litigation.

Eric's insider knowledge of government investigations gives clients a strategic edge. His ability to anticipate potential pitfalls across today's business landscape allows him to craft defense strategies that frequently counter aggressive prosecutorial tactics, providing invaluable protection for clients navigating treacherous legal waters.

Eric's tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice fostered crucial connections with law enforcement and prosecutors worldwide. His time in the Criminal Division's Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California honed his understanding of how agencies approach white collar crime investigations, insights he now leverages for his client's benefit.

Since joining the firm, Eric has successfully convinced authorities to decline charges in various contexts and mitigated unavoidable charges. His courtroom prowess, refined through supervising headline-grabbing cases across a bustling federal district, now serves to safeguard his clients' interests when trials become necessary, steering them through legal minefields with precision and care.

Professional and Community Involvement

Volunteer, Youth Assistance Coalition, San Diego

Member, San Diego Rotary (Club 33)

Board of Governors, editor of The ABTL Report, Association of Business Trial Lawyers of San Diego

Member, Federal Bar Association of San Diego

Member, American Bar Association 

Former adjunct professor, University of San Diego School of Law

Honors

SDBJ's 500 Most Influential People in San Diego, 2024

Daily Journal, Top White Collar Lawyers, 2023

SD500, Most Influential San Diegans, San Diego Business Journal, 2023-2024

The Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2025

Top 100 Leaders in Law, San Diego Business Journal, 2022-2023

DOJ Assistant Attorney General's Exceptional Service Award, 2018

Experience
  • Represented executive of for-profit education company charged with multiple felonies for the receipt and disbursement of charter school funds; negotiated a pre-trial disposition to a misdemeanor charge that allowed the executive to avoid a prison sentence and maintain state licenses.
  • Represented insurance business owner charged in federal court with multiple felony offenses arising out of business bankruptcy; negotiated a pre-trial disposition to a single misdemeanor charge that allowed the owner to avoid a prison sentence, limit restitution payments, and potentially maintain insurance license.
  • Represented owner of a medical device sales company facing federal investigation for allegedly extortionate and fraudulent business practices; secured a complete declination of all charges.
  • Represented active stock trader in insider trading investigation conducted by the SEC's Division of Enforcement; secured a complete declination of any enforcement action against client.       
  • Represented CPA and former finance officer of publicly traded biotech company in alleged insider trading investigation conducted by the SEC's Division of Enforcement; secured a complete declination of any enforcement action against client.
  • Represented software company seeking to recover over $1 million in unpaid software licensing fees; secured complete summary judgment in client's favor, including dismissal of counterclaims brought by customer, and immediate collection of judgment with interest.
  • Represented aircraft technology company in California lawsuit against former employee for fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duties; prevailed on all claims at trial and secured a $31 million judgment.
  • Represented technology company in patent infringement lawsuit involving flight navigation equipment and software; secured voluntary dismissal with prejudice.
  • Represented wireless technology company sued in ITC action by multinational company seeking a ban on the importation of communications modules; secured complete defense verdict before administrative law judge, and dismissal of investigation by the ITC.
  • Represented a publicly-traded telematics and wireless connectivity company in patent infringement lawsuits filed in federal courts in Texas and Delaware.
  • Represented manufacturing companies in patent infringement lawsuits in federal court in California.
  • Represented companies and their owners accused of fraudulently supplying substitute parts to the U.S. Department of Defense in criminal investigation conducted by FBI, DCIS, and HSI; secured declination of all criminal charges, and negotiated favorable civil settlements with the DOJ and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
  • Represented operator of skilled nursing facilities in California against False Claims Act qui tam lawsuit filed in federal court in California; secured complete dismissal of all claims with prejudice.
  • Represents senior executive of medical billing company in connection with state criminal investigation into allegedly fraudulent billing practices by healthcare providers.
  • Represented former senior executive of energy company in connection with DOJ public corruption and antitrust investigations; secured a complete declination of any enforcement action against client.
  • Represents non-profit foundations and their directors in response to California investigations into potential conflict-of-interest violations.
  • Counsels publicly-traded pharmaceutical and medical device company on international anti-corruption compliance, training, and education.
  • Conducting an AML/CTF risk assessment and compliance review for large automotive manufacturing company.
  • Conducted a BSA/AML compliance audit for a cross-border financial services company.
  • Conducted internal investigation into fatalities at an adult healthcare facility in response to state and local investigations; no criminal or civil enforcement actions were taken.
Presentations

Panelist, "Criminal Tax Workshop," 7th Annual University of San Diego School of Law - RJS Law, Tax Controversy Institute, 2022

Presenter, "Preparing for Government Investigations: No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!," Association of Corporate Counsel, 2020

Presenter, When the Government Comes Knocking?, Fort Wayne Annual CLE Roundup: Hot Topics for In-House Counsel, 2019

Panelist, National Institute on White Collar Crime, American Bar Association, 2016, 2013, 2011

Instructor, DOJ’s National Advocacy Center

Panelist, FCPA Enforcement, Annual Meeting of The State Bar of California, 2016

Panelist, “Tax Controversy Institute’s presentation on Criminal Tax Prosecutions,” University of San Diego School of Law, 2016

Panelist, White Collar Crime, Armenian Bar Association Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, 2013

Panelist, FDIC-DOJ Financial Crimes Conference, 2011

Panelist, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Annual National Seminar, United States Sentencing Commission, 2011

Panelist, Dodd-Frank Effect on Prosecutions and Regulatory Enforcement, Utah State Bar Annual Convention, 2011

Panelist, Legal IQ (IQPC) North American Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Conference, Washington, D.C., 2006

Panelist, “50 Years of International Shoe: The Past and Future of Personal Jurisdiction,” University of California at Davis, School of Law, 1995

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