Overview
Nicole Dania Lueddeke is an associate in the Litigation Department and is based in the firm's Los Angeles office. Ms. Lueddeke focuses her practice on white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and complex civil litigation.
In both state and federal courts, Ms. Lueddeke represents a broad range of clients in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. With extensive experience in all stages of litigation from pre-filing through trial and appeal, and in state and federal investigations from pre-indictment and pre-disclosure through resolution, she defends individuals and companies in high-stakes civil and criminal cases. Ms. Lueddeke advises clients on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters, State Attorney General consumer protection statutes, False Claims Act (qui tam suits), regulatory compliance programs, and defense of enforcement proceedings in internal investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Additionally, Ms. Lueddeke has established herself as a trusted advisor and skilled advocate, and regularly counsels clients in risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
Ms. Lueddeke maintains an active pro bono practice. She was part of the trial team in the “Fat Leonard” criminal corruption scandal securing a significant jury win for the client, co-honoree of The National Law Journal’s Pro Bono Hot List for the groundbreaking settlement in Phillips v. State of California, and co-honoree of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California’s Homeless Rights Advocacy Award.
Prior to joining Paul Hastings, Ms. Lueddeke served as judicial law clerk to The Honorable Otis D. Wright II of the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Recognitions
- Daily Journal’s ”Top 40 Under 40” Lawyers (2023)
- Daily Journal’s “Top White Collar” Lawyers (2023, 2021)
- Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Women of Influence: Attorneys” (2024, 2023)
- Daily Journal’s “Top Women Lawyers” (2024, 2023)
- Lawdragon’s “The Next Generation” for White Collar Defense (2023)
- Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” for Criminal Defense: White Collar (2023, 2022)
- American Bar Association’s “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers” (2022)
- The American Lawyer’s “West Trailblazers” (2022)
Representations
- Represents global biotechnology company in DOJ investigation of alleged False Claims Act violations from Civil Investigative Demand related to cybersecurity representations made to FDA and other government agencies involving Medicare claims.
- Represents co-founder of South Korea blockchain protocol and payment platform in alleged wire, securities, and commodities fraud involving capital-markets law violations, in DOJ investigation related to company’s collapse and $45B loss in market capitalization.
- Represents multibillion-dollar medical technology company in joint investigations by DOJ and SEC's Enforcement Division in matters related to grant-making and FCPA compliance in Japan.
- Counsel to SVP of international banking group in Switzerland in DOJ investigation involving Swiss bank secrecy law violations for generating multibillions in bank deposits from private client business originating in Russia.
- Defended Ret. U.S. Navy Adm. in “Fat Leonard” corruption case regarding alleged conspiracy, bribery and fraud charges in the “worst corruption scandal in the history of the Navy.” All charges dismissed with prejudice after the jury reached no verdict against client.
- Defended financial banking institution in DOJ proceedings related to civil asset forfeiture of major real estate holdings for allegedly laundering money through the U.S. with proceeds from foreign corruption offenses.
- Represented multibillion-dollar Japanese medical device company in DOJ investigation related to alleged FCPA violations involving kick-back scheme of sub-distributor network in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
- Counsel to CFO of information technology company in SEC investigation for alleged involvement in fraudulent accounting practices of improperly recording revenue in violation of GAAP.
- Represented pharmaceutical company in investigation by SEC's Enforcement Division related to potential SOX, Dodd Frank, insider trading, and other securities fraud claims involving clinical trial results, disclosures, and material non-public information.
- Represented rent-to-own corporation in five-year long investigation into consumer practices violations related to Karnette Rental-Purchase Act by California Attorney General.
- Counsel to mobile streaming-video platform raising over $1.1B in pre-launch creating its international anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and FCPA compliance programs.
- Represented national real estate development company in action involving fraud claims brought by multiple parties in multiple lawsuits for allegedly defective structural design, construction, and development of mixed-use skyscraper.
- Defended prestigious private university in highly publicized “Varsity Blues” college admissions scandal in client investigation by FBI for alleged bribery and fraud claims in litigious matter.
- Represented financial services company providing wage access services in Civil Investigative Demand by Texas AG and Nevada Department of Business and Industry in alleged violations of Deceptive Trade Practices Act involving its product.
- Defended technology investment fund (Asia market) in securing judgment of $415M arbitration award in initial action, secondary action, and appeal relating to formation of international entity.
- Defended co-founder of venture capital fund in DOJ investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller related to alleged meetings between then-President Trump advisors and Russian and UAE officials. Defended client before Mueller’s Special Counsel on three separate occasions.
- Represented Delaware investment fund in $50M breach of contract and declaratory relief dispute concerning holographic display advertising for national retail chain.
- Defended national law firm in third-party criminal investigation of international telecom mobile provider in matters related to potential federal prosecution for tax evasion and fraud.
Engagement & Publications
- Podcast: “Paul Hastings: Ethnicity & Intersectionality.” Chambers Associate (2 May 2022)
- Panelist: “Taking the Steps to Federal Court.” Federal Bar Association (17 February 2022)
- Moderator: “State Attorneys General Investigations.” Paul Hastings Investigations and White Collar Defense, Best Practices Series (10 November 2021)
- Gary F. Giampetruzzi, Anthony Jannotta, Jane H. Yoon, and Nicole Dania Lueddeke. “The Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry: The State AG Perspective.” Paul Hastings Client Alerts (26 July 2021)
- Moderator: “Defining Your Impact as a Leader.” Paul Hastings Global Diversity & Inclusion Women’s Initiative, Panel Series (31 March 2021)
- Gary Giamperuzzi, Antony Jannotta, and Nicole Lueddeke. “Pharma Industry Can Expect More Scrutiny From State AGs.” Law360 (24 March 2021)
- Daniel Prince, Scott Carlton, and Nicole D. Lueddeke. “From Lockdown to a Showdown: "What Questions Should Companies Consider Pertaining to the Authority of the Federal or State Governments to 'Reopen' the Economy?” Lexology (15 September 2020)
- Nicolas Morgan, Robert Silvers, and Nicole Lueddeke. “INSIGHT: Cybercrime is Rising–How to Protect Your Financial Firm.” Bloomberg Law (4 June 2020)
- Thomas P. O’Brien, Nicole D. Lueddeke, and Adam G. Berger. “The Attorney Proffer and the Increased Risk of Waiving Work Product Protection.” California Bar Journal (31 May 2018)
- Thomas A. Zaccaro, Nicolas Morgan, D. Scott Carlton, and Nicole D. Lueddeke. "Searching for Fraud on the Market." Daily Journal (19 March 2018)
Involvement
- Vice-chair of firm’s Summer Associate Committee
- Co-chair of Paul Hastings Affinity Network’s (PHAN) Global Diversity and Inclusion Council, Los Angeles Women's Network
- Certification in Healthcare Compliance Program with a Specialization in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)
- Member of firm’s Steering Committee, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Member of firm’s Talent Development Committee
- Federal Bar Association, Los Angeles Chapter, Litigation Section
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section
- Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles
- Pro Bono Attorney for KIND (Kids in Need of Defense) serving as legal counsel to unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States
- Co-honoree of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California 2017 Homeless Rights Advocacy Award
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section