Nicholas A. Klinefeldt

Government Investigations

Nick uses his combination of government and private practice experience to help clients effectively respond to grand jury and other government investigations.

As the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Nick was in a unique position whereby he not only ran grand jury investigations and prosecuted white collar criminal cases, but – as the head of the office and chief law enforcement official for the district – he supervised all the office’s cases and investigations and led its relationships with law enforcement agencies. In addition, Nick was involved in national DOJ leadership activities, including serving as the co-chair for the Attorney General Advisory Subcommittee on Criminal Practice.

In private practice, Nick has helped clients in all manner of government investigations, including grand jury investigations, False Claims Act investigations, parallel criminal/civil investigations, Congressional investigations, State Attorney General investigations, FCPA investigations, and many others. Nick regularly represents clients against U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country as well as against DOJ components, like the Fraud Section, in Washington, D.C.

Internal Investigations

Nick uses his experience conducting investigations for the government and defending clients against government investigations to conduct internal investigations for clients. He helps clients independently and objectively investigate facts, assess exposure, manage risk and, when necessary, prepare confidential reports for their board. Nick has also conducted internal investigations for government and political entities in high profile matters where the client has asked him to prepare a public report regarding investigation findings and recommendations. Nick is a recipient of the FBI’s Distinguished Service Award.

Industry Experience

As part of his practice, Nick has developed significant experience in several industries. Nick served as leader of the litigation section of the firm’s national health and life sciences industry group. He has represented clients across the country in matters concerning the federal health care fraud state, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, the False Claims Act and other types of health care investigations. His clients have included medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, health care executives and sale representatives, and physicians.

In addition, Nick has represented many of the firm’s food and agriculture clients in government investigations across the country.

Litigation

Nick is an accomplished trial lawyer and has tried numerous jury trials in both federal and state court. He has successfully handled trials as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney and in both federal and state court. Nick also has successfully handled appeals at the state and federal levels. In addition, Nick has had a lot of experience with cases that have been covered by the media, including national media. 

Nick blends his combination of experience to provide clients strong, comprehensive representation – with unique insight – from beginning to end.