Overview
Nicole Dania Lueddeke is an associate in the Litigation Department and is based in the firm's Los Angeles office. Nicole focuses her practice on white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and complex civil litigation.
In both state and federal courts, Nicole 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. Nicole 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, Nicole has established herself as a trusted advisor and skilled advocate, and regularly counsels clients in risk assessment and mitigation strategies.
Nicole 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, Nicole 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
- Law360, White Collar "Rising Star" (2024)
- Daily Journal, “Top White Collar Lawyers" (2024, 2023, 2021)
- Daily Journal, "Top 40 Under 40 Lawyers" (2023)
- Los Angeles Business Journal, “Women of Influence: Attorneys” (2024, 2023)
- Daily Journal, “Top Women Lawyers” (2024, 2023)
- Lawdragon, “The Next Generation” Complex Litigation / White Collar (2024, 2023)
- American Bar Association, “On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers” (2022)
- The American Lawyer, “West Trailblazers” (2022)
Representations
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Multibillion-dollar Japanese medical device company in DOJ investigation related to alleged FCPA violations involving kick-back schemes of sub-distributor networks 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.
- Rent-to-own corporation in five-year long investigation into consumer practices violations related to Karnette Rental-Purchase Act by California Attorney General.
- Mobile streaming-video platform raising over $1.1B in pre-launch creating its international anti-bribery, anti-corruption, and FCPA compliance programs.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 activities.
- Counsel to 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.
- Delaware investment fund in $50M breach of contract and declaratory relief dispute concerning holographic display advertising for national retail chain.
- 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
- PH Insights: “The American Lawyer lauded Nicole for her zealous representation of a client during the COVID-19 pandemic. When an in-person anti-bribery and anti-corruption audit was necessary and travel to Korea was prohibited, Nicole lobbied Korean authorities and leveraged professional connections in the Paul Hastings Seoul office. Her perseverance won her the ability to travel to Korea as one of the first U.S. citizens to enter the country under the new found business exemption and ensure the successful representation of her client.” The American Lawyer, August 9, 2022
- Podcast, “Paul Hastings: Ethnicity & Intersectionality,” Chambers Associate, May 2, 2022
- Panelist, “Taking the Steps to Federal Court,” Federal Bar Association, February 17, 2022
- Moderator, “State Attorneys General Investigations,” Paul Hastings Investigations and White Collar Defense, Best Practices Series, November 10, 2021
- Co-author, “The Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry: The State AG Perspective,” Paul Hastings Client Alerts, July 26, 2021
- Moderator, “Defining Your Impact as a Leader,” Paul Hastings Global Diversity & Inclusion Women’s Initiative, Panel Series, March 31, 2021
- Co-author, “Pharma Industry Can Expect More Scrutiny From State AGs,” Law360, March 24, 2021
- Co-author, “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, September 15, 2020
- Co-author, “INSIGHT: Cybercrime is Rising–How to Protect Your Financial Firm,” Bloomberg Law, June 4, 2020
- Co-author, “The Attorney Proffer and the Increased Risk of Waiving Work Product Protection,” California Bar Journal, May 31, 2018
- Co-author, "Searching for Fraud on the Market," Daily Journal, March 19, 2018
Involvement
- Vice-chair: Paul Hastings; Summer Associate Committee
- Co-chair: 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: Paul Hastings Steering Committee; Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Member: Paul Hastings 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: 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