Overview
Benton (Ben) Curtis is a former federal prosecutor and accomplished trial lawyer who serves as the co-head of the Firm’s global white-collar and government investigations practice. He draws upon his experience to advise clients on regulatory enforcement and white-collar criminal matters, internal investigations, and due diligence regarding third-party and business transactions. Ben’s efforts touch on both US and cross-border matters, and they often entail providing contemporaneous guidance as to the design, testing, and implementation of compliance programs.
Ben regularly represents clients before, and in litigation against, government agencies, including clients accused of healthcare fraud, kickback violations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, money laundering, and securities fraud. He likewise regularly helps corporate and individual victims seek redress through civil litigation and, when appropriate, the criminal justice system.
Over his career, Ben has tried more than 25 federal jury trials in district courts around the country, and he leans into that experience when counseling his clients in high-stakes matters. Ben’s capabilities stem, in large part, from his previous 10 years with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which included extended stints in Miami, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. In his last position, Ben served for almost five years as an Assistant Chief in DOJ’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, where he supervised numerous large-scale healthcare fraud investigations and prosecutions around the country. He also oversaw significant FCPA investigations related to the entertainment and gaming industries in Asia and a number of insider trading and high-yield investment matters.
Results
- Regularly conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, often portfolio companies of clients, in response to the discovery of fraud or compliance-related conduct
- Regularly represents healthcare providers, both individual and corporate, in False Claims Act matters pursued by the DOJ
- Obtained a probationary sentence for the president of a pharmaceutical manufacturer in connection with a misbranding prosecution brought by the DOJ
- Obtained declination of a criminal investigation being conducted by the DOJ into the former C-suite executive of a healthcare company
- Representing an employee of a voting technology company in connection with money laundering and related FCPA charges brought by the DOJ
- Represented a former financial advisor accused of laundering proceeds illicitly obtained through a kickback scheme related to the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company PDVSA
- Represented employees of a professional sports organization in connection with an FCPA and Office of Foreign Assets Control investigation conducted by the DOJ
- Represented a former South American minister in connection with a DOJ FCPA and money laundering investigation
- Represented the president of a South American football association in connection with the DOJ’s corruption investigation of FIFA
- Represented a former chief financial officer of a government contractor in connection with a criminal investigation by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction and the DOJ
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice with no exchange of consideration for an AM Law 50 law firm and partner who were accused of defamation, false light, and tortious interference with business relations
- Represented a global plastics company in obtaining a preliminary injunction against a former employee based on trade secret and noncompete violations
- Represented a global medical device company in obtaining a temporary restraining order and preliminary and permanent injunctions against former employees who attempted to sell misbranded and adulterated devices
- Represented a British Virgin Islands-based entity in a civil action against a former registered investment advisor and firm accused of a multimillion-dollar fraud against the entity
- Represented an Aruban state-owned entity in a civil action against a former procurement officer and numerous former vendors (in Aruba and internationally), alleging an elaborate kickback and bid-rigging scheme between the officer and vendors
- Represented a joint venture in the metals recycling industry in a civil action against a former employee and competitors, alleging a kickback and theft scheme between numerous former employees and competitors
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, 2023-2025, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2024-2025
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2021-2024
- Legal 500 US, Recommended Lawyer, 2021-2024
- Global Investigations Review’s GIR 100, Recommended, 2024
- Dade County Bar Association, Rising Legal Superstar, 2018
- Assistant Attorney General’s Exceptional Service Award, 2011
Community
- St. Stephen’s Episcopal Day School, Board of Trustees member
- Florida Bar Association, member
Credentials
Education
Samford University Cumberland School of Law, JD, 2001
Springhill College, BA, 1997
Admissions
Florida
Alabama
Tennessee