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- Home
- Professionals
- Stephen P. Anthony
Clients come to Stephen Anthony with their most pressing and complex litigation matters, recognizing him as "a very even-keeled defense lawyer who knows how to navigate the dangerous terrain of a criminal case and parallel civil proceedings" (Chambers USA).
A trial lawyer and deputy chair of Covington’s global litigation practice, he has experience handling the highest-stakes cases. He has tried 34 cases before juries, ranging from complex criminal cases involving bribery, fraud, and obstruction of justice to patent infringement claims. In his civil litigation practice, he has achieved highly favorable pre-trial outcomes in multi-billion-dollar disputes over alleged financial frauds and patent infringement claims.
Mr. Anthony represents corporations and individuals in government investigations of alleged accounting fraud, consumer fraud, international trade control violations, violations of laws governing the manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical products, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
In five years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and three years as a Trial Attorney in the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, Mr. Anthony prosecuted cases involving bribery, extortion, obstruction of justice, false statements, tax offenses, and mail/wire fraud.
In addition to his client work, Mr. Anthony is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center, where he teaches a course titled "Counseling the Corporation in Crisis."
- Secured a declination on behalf of a leading global media entity in a DOJ FCPA investigation.
- Successfully defended AstraZeneca in a $1.9 billion patent infringement case brought by a leading medical university, by obtaining court rulings invalidating both of the asserted patents.
- Represented Johnson & Johnson in a years-long investigation by a coalition of 43 state attorneys general, arising from recalls of over-the-counter drugs.
- Successfully represented a top coal mining executive, avoiding any criminal charges in a federal criminal investigation arising from an explosion that killed 29 miners.
- Successfully defended the Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa by obtaining a hung jury and subsequent dismissal of the indictment in a complex jury trial involving conspiracy, fraud, bribery, and obstruction charges.
- Defended Gilead Sciences, Inc. in a government investigation concerning the marketing and promotion of several prescription drugs, resulting in the declination by the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene in several related qui tam cases.
- Defended Leiner Health Products Inc. in a criminal prosecution of alleged violations of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) relating to the manufacture of over-the-counter drugs.
- Defended JPMorgan Chase & Co. in civil litigation and related government investigations arising out of the default of $2 billion in asset-backed securities issued by National Century Financial Enterprises, Inc.
- Defended the former Chief Financial Officer of a real estate investment trust in an SEC investigation of alleged accounting irregularities, resulting in the Enforcement Division’s decision not to recommend any enforcement action.
- Defended a former analyst of the Defense Intelligence Agency in an investigation of allegations of improper disclosures of classified information.
- Obtained summary judgment for a leading manufacturer in a qui tam action alleging the sale of defective products to the U.S. Army.
- Conducted an internal investigation for a leading IT company regarding allegations of misconduct by its Chief Executive officer.
- Represented a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Adelphia Communications Corp. in connection with widely publicized allegations of mismanagement by the company’s senior executives.
Memberships and Affiliations
- D.C. Circuit Advisory Committee on Admissions and Grievances, Member (2019-2022)
- Assistant United States Attorneys' Association of the District of Columbia, President (2015-2016)
- Edward Bennett Williams Inn of Court, Master
Previous Experience
- U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Public Integrity Section, Trial Attorney (1996-2000)
- Assistant US Attorney, District of Columbia (1991-1996)
Q1 2019, Covington Alert
It was business as usual for FCPA enforcement in 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) collected a total of $1 billion from seventeen corporate defendants, including through their share of two high-value, multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions. DOJ also announced thirteen new FCPA prosecutions ...
Winter 2019, Covington Alert
It was business as usual for FCPA enforcement in 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) collected a total of $1 billion from seventeen corporate defendants, including through their share of two high-value, multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions. DOJ also announced thirteen new FCPA prosecutions ...
US litigation: A time for optimism
March 19, 2018, CDR Magazine
Stephen Anthony is quoted in a CDR Magazine article examining litigation challenges in 2018 and beyond. According to Anthony, "Our clients generally are bullish about the business environment, with the stock market at record highs and consumer confidence relatively high.” He says, "Overall, we don’t foresee a drop in the volume or significance of US ...
Handling Investigations of Members of Congress and Congressional Staff
February 28, 2018, Covington Report
In the highly politicized world of investigations involving Members of Congress and congressional staff, taking the right steps in the first hours and days can mean the difference between a swift resolution and a years-long crisis.
January 25, 2018, Covington Advisory
Our message this year is simple: FCPA enforcement is here to stay. Despite pre-election statements to the contrary, various senior officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) have, over the past year, consistently reaffirmed DOJ’s and the SEC’s commitment to FCPA enforcement.
December 7, 2017, The American Lawyer
The American Lawyer has selected Covington partners Rob Kelner and Steve Anthony as "Litigators of the Week," in connection with Covington's representation of General Michael T. Flynn.
January 10, 2017, Covington Alert
“Call the office asap!” Those may be the most feared words in the English language for Chiefs of Staff to Members of Congress. This primer covers what to do when that call reveals that a Member or staffer is under federal investigation.
Law360 Names Covington Among Top 15 Litigation Practices
August 12, 2016
WASHINGTON—Covington ranked 11th in Law360’s inaugural “Litigation Powerhouses” feature, a list of the top 50 litigation firms. Law360 chose firms based on the size of their litigation practice, the nature of firms’ litigation victories over a yearlong period, and new client matters. In its profile of the firm, Law360 highlights Covington’s three consecutive ...
Litigation Powerhouse: Covington & Burling
August 12, 2016, Law360
John Hall, Paul Schmidt, Michael Imbroscio, and Stephen Anthony are quoted in the Law360 profile of the firm for the “Litigation Powerhouse” series. According to Hall, “What we have that other firms don't have is this incredible depth of regulatory and prior government experience that we bring to bear in almost all of our matters.” Schmidt, commenting on the ...
May 11, 2016, Law360
Steve Anthony is Covington & Burling LLP’s deputy chairman of litigation. He has tried 33 cases before juries, ranging from patent infringement to white-collar criminal trials. Earlier in his career, he served more than eight years as a federal prosecutor. Since returning to private practice in 2000, he has managed complex litigation matters including ...
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, May 2, 2012 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 64 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza and Robert Long have been named among the “Top 100” for ...
FCPA Enforcement Priorities and Their Impact on Your China Business
November 16, 2011, Anti-Corruption China Summit, Beijing
Enforcement Year-in-Review
October 5, 2011, Covington & Burling Anti-Corruption Summit
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 17, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...
2011, section in Contracts and Commercial Transactions
January 2011, Covington E-Alert
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
July 21, 2010, Covington E-Alert
Mistrial Declared in Trial of Lt. Gov. of American Samoa
February 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, February 23, 2010 — The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has declared a mistrial in the trial of Lt. Governor Aitofele Sunia of the U.S. territory of American Samoa. U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton declared the mistrial following nine days of deliberations in which jurors could not reach a verdict. Today, the panel announced ...
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
What Every American Company Should Know About Anti-Corruption M&A Due Diligence
2009, Legal IQ FCPA Conference
December 4, 2008, Covington E-Alert
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
Gifts & Hospitality: What You Can Do
2008, National Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
September 6, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...
Minimizing Exposure From Off-Label Promotion Claims
2007, National Forum on Fraud & Abuse in the Sale and Marketing of Drugs
- The American Lawyer Litigation Daily, “Litigator of the Week” (December 7, 2017)
- Chambers USA, White Collar Crime and Government Investigations (2011-2019)
- Best Lawyers in America, White-Collar Criminal Defense (2008-2020)
- Washington DC Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property Litigation (2015-2019)
- Washington DC Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2011-2019)
- Benchmark Litigation, Local Star - District of Columbia (2013-2020)
- The Best of the Best USA, White Collar Crime (2009-2019)
- Washingtonian, Criminal Defense "Top Lawyer" (2018)
Practices
Education
Columbia University, J.D., 1988
- James Kent Scholar
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Elkins Prize in Constitutional Law
- Columbia Law Review, Notes and Comments Editor
Dartmouth College, A.B., 1983
- cum laude
- Daniel Webster Scholar
- Rufus Choate Scholar