WASHINGTON—The National Law Journal has named Covington as its White Collar Litigation Department of the Year. This marks the third time in the last five years that Covington has received this honor, in addition to the firm’s win in 2024 in the Crisis Management & Government Oversight category.
In The National Law Journal’s published profile, Steve Fagell, who co-chairs the White Collar Defense and Investigations practice with Nancy Kestenbaum and Aaron Lewis, shared the firm’s approach to litigation and its strategy for building a strong track record with the DOJ and SEC. “Covington lawyers are known for excellence across the board. We build elite teams by drawing from a deep bench of subject-matter experts, combining investigative skill, trial experience, and regulatory fluency to deliver exceptional outcomes.”
Reflecting on the firm’s most significant wins of 2025, Steve highlighted Covington’s success in resolving some of the most high-profile and complex matters in the U.S. and internationally. “Covington resolved one of the largest emissions fraud cases in U.S. history for Hino Motors, securing a multiagency resolution without a compliance monitor or independent auditor. The DOJ cited Hino’s ‘exemplary cooperation,’ which contributed to one of the largest percentage discounts ever granted in a criminal resolution. We also resolved parallel DOJ and SEC FCPA investigations for Stanley Black & Decker with no disgorgement or any action taken – outcomes rarely seen in the FCPA space. These matters reflect Covington’s unmatched ability to navigate complex investigations and deliver market-leading results for our clients.” Covington also represented McKesson in a federal False Claims Act case, securing dismissal at the district court, affirmance by the Second Circuit, and denial of Supreme Court review—ultimately closing the case in 2024.
The National Law Journal Awards recognize the top litigation work from the past year. The law firms honored "have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession – whether in shaping the law or achieving outsized results for their clients."
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