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W. Douglas Sprague

Partner

San Francisco +1 415 591 7097

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    As the former Chief of the Economic Crimes and Securities Fraud section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco, Doug Sprague is a trial lawyer focusing on Litigation and White Collar Criminal Defense & Investigations.

    Mr. Sprague has more than 14 years of experience as a federal prosecutor. As Chief of the Economic Crimes and Securities Fraud section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, he supervised more than 10 prosecutors responsible for investigating and prosecuting a wide range of white collar crimes, including securities fraud, health care fraud, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He also previously served as Chief of the office’s White Collar Crime section and Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oakland.

    In addition to his supervisory duties, Mr. Sprague maintained a full caseload of white collar prosecutions and investigations. He has served as lead counsel in more than 10 jury trials, including several multi-week complex white collar cases. Mr. Sprague also has briefed and argued several cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mr. Sprague worked at law firms in Chicago and San Francisco, focusing on white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation, and intellectual property litigation.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Representing major financial institutions in connection with investigations and inquiries being conducted by multiple federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC, and the FDIC.
    • Conducted multiple internal investigations for corporate clients.
    • Representing numerous individuals in various DOJ and SEC investigations and related class action litigation.
    • Representing multi-national corporation and its Chairman in federal criminal case alleging bribery and fraud.
    • Representing individual in federal criminal case alleging fraud and antitrust violations.

    • Represented individual in federal criminal case alleging false statements; obtained dismissal of all charges prior to trial.
    • Represented individual in criminal case in Marin County Superior Court; jury acquitted client on all charges after one-week trial.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1994
        • cum laude
    • University of Michigan, A.B., 1991
        • with distinction
    Bar Admissions
    • California
    Government Experience
    • U.S. Department of Justice – U.S. Attorney’s Office
    Accolades
    • Chambers USA, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations (2018-2019) 
    • The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2017-2019)
    Previous Experience
    • Assistant United States Attorney, Northern District of California (2003-2015)
    • Chief, Economic Crimes and Securities Fraud Section (2012-2015)
    • Deputy Chief, Economic Crimes and Securities Fraud Section (2011-2012)
    • Chief, White Collar Crime Section (2009-2011)
    • Chief, Oakland Branch (2006-2009)
    • Deputy Chief, Major Crimes Section (2005-2006)
    • Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of California (2000-2003)

    Areas of Expertise

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