Bruce H. Searby
Bruce H. Searby defends corporations and individuals in a wide variety of white-collar criminal matters. Bruce has successfully prosecuted and defended some of the most high-profile foreign and domestic bribery cases pursued by the federal government. He won one of the few FCPA cases that has been tried to verdict before a jury. His background also includes high-stakes civil securities fraud and general commercial litigation. Bruce’s litigation experience has spanned from East Coast to West Coast, and from leading private law firms to the Department of Justice. Through his 20-year career, Bruce has won cases at all procedural stages from the pleadings through to trial and appeals. Specific matters are listed in the representative experience section for each practice area.
Prior to Searby Law, Bruce was a trial attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section (FCPA Unit) in Washington, D.C. Before that, Bruce practiced law at an Am Law 100 firm in Washington, DC. He also served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles, California for 9 years. Bruce began his career as a federal court law clerk for The Hon. A. Wallace Tashima on the United States District Court for the Central District of California and then on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upon Judge Tashima’s elevation. He also practiced law at a leading law firm in Los Angeles. While with the Department of Justice, he won the Director’s Award: one of the highest awards given to Assistant United States Attorneys.
On June 6, 2024, Bruce Searby was ranked by Chambers and Partners for 2024 in White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations for the third year in a row. Chambers has written: "Bruce Searby is well regarded for his expertise in white-collar criminal defense. He offers particular experience in matters concerning environmental crimes, as well as allegations of fraud." Chambers quoted someone as saying: "Bruce offers exceptional service and deep expertise."
He has spoken on anti-corruption topics at national and international conferences. He has taught courses for law enforcement and law students on anti-corruption investigation and prosecution.
He graduated from Princeton University (magna cum laude) and University of Michigan Law School (Michigan Law Review and Order of the Coif).
Bar Admissions:
Bar of the District of Columbia
Bar of the State of California
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Supreme Court of the United States
Memberships:
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers