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David Kettel focuses his practice on SEC and white collar defense, commercial litigation and internal investigations. He has investigated and prosecuted such diverse cases as bank and bankruptcy fraud, bulk cash smuggling and narcotics trafficking (including “doctor diversion” cases), as well as illegal alien smuggling, child pornography and identity theft.
A former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Central District of California and a member of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, Mr. Kettel has substantial experience in the areas of money laundering and asset forfeiture issues, which enables him to conduct internal investigations dealing with similar issues for corporate clients.
Mr. Kettel's experience as a federal prosecutor has translated into successful results related to the defense of criminal, quasi-criminal and civil enforcement matters in state and federal courts. In a recent case, the U.S. District Court ordered that Mr. Kettel’s Italian national client be released from custody after the government of Spain sought his extradition on the theory he had committed tax fraud to the tune of several million Euros.
In the spring of 2011, Mr. Kettel joined the defense team in the U.S. v. Lindsey Manufacturing, et al. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act case, which, ultimately, was dismissed by Judge A. Howard Matz due to government misconduct. That matter is currently on appeal.
A noted authority in his field, Mr. Kettel has spoken on strengthening legal cooperation in the Caucasus region on behalf of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He contributed to roundtable meetings with judges and prosecutors from the region, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Latvia, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Mr. Kettel also has taught federal prosecutors and investigators how to conduct a financial investigation, seize and facilitate the forfeiture of assets and charge targets criminally at the Organized Crime Drug Task Forces Financial Investigations Seminar.
Representative Experience
- U.S. v. Lindsey Manufacturing, et al., CR No. 10-1031-AHM
- In the Matter of Extradition of Massimiliano Lanzani, CV No. 09-7166-GAF (MLGx)
- U.S. v. Edilberto Datan, CR No. 04-1599-RGK
- U.S. v. David Calderon, et al., CR No. 04-046-CBM
- People of the State of California v. Zohrab Mkhitarian, et al., LASC Case No. 37-2008-00093101-CU-MC-CTL
- International Juice Concentrates v. Concentrados Santa Rosa, SDSC Case No. BC 389615
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- "Anti-Corruption Enforcement: The New Global Reality," (Financier Worldwide, June 2011)
- "Preparing to Win: Novel Approaches," National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ 31st Annual Advanced Criminal Law Seminar (January 19, 2011)
- "Internal Investigations: New Developments, Perils & Pitfalls," American Bar Association’s White Collar Crime Committee (April 14, 2010)
- "United States v. Nicholas: Expanding the Upjohn Suppression Remedy," (BNA’s Corporate Counsel Weekly, June 10, 2009)
- "United States v. Nicholas: Expanding the Upjohn Suppression Remedy," (BNA’s White Collar Crime Report, May 22, 2009)
- "False Alarms," (Los Angeles Daily Journal, November 17, 2008)
Education and Bar Admissions
Mr. Kettel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from University of California at Davis in 1982, and his Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University Law School in 1985, where he was a Maritime Scholar. He is admitted to practice in California.
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Education
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B.A., University of California, Davis, 1982
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J.D., Tulane University Law School, 1985
Court Admissions
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U.S. District Court, Central District of California
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
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U.S. Supreme Court
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