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W. Douglas Sprague

Partner

San Francisco +1 415 591 7097

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Leveraging his experience as a former federal prosecutor, Doug Sprague represents individuals and organizations in high-stakes internal, federal, and state investigations, in white collar criminal matters, and in high-stakes civil litigation in both federal and state courts.

    Doug represents clients in the technology, financial services, pharmaceutical, life sciences, and consumer products industries in connection with DOJ, SEC, and state attorneys general investigations. He also has conducted numerous internal investigations for public and private companies in a wide array of industries.

    Doug is an accomplished trial lawyer, having served as lead counsel in more than 10 jury trials. His trial experience includes several multi-week complex white collar cases, and he has briefed and argued several cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Prior to joining Covington, Doug served as Chief of the Economic Crimes and Securities Fraud Section and Chief of the White Collar Section for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, where 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 U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oakland.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Corporate Representation

    • Represented a multinational biopharmaceutical company in FCPA investigations by the DOJ and SEC related to alleged bribery. Covington presented to both federal agencies numerous times over the course of the investigation. DOJ declined to bring charges.
    • Represented a mid-sized pharmaceutical company in parallel criminal and civil inquiries into alleged improper sales and marketing practices.
    • Represented leading global technology company in parallel state and federal criminal fraud investigations and related regulatory inquiries.
    • Represented a Fortune 50 consumer products company in an SEC investigation into revenue recognition practices.
    • Represented major financial institutions in connection with federal and state investigations and enforcement actions related to the origination of mortgage loans and consumer fraud allegations.
    • Represented numerous cryptocurrency firms in internal investigations as well as investigations by the CFTC and DOJ.
    • Represented companies and executives in international investigations and proceedings alleging bribery and fraud.

    Individual Representation

    • Represented founder and former CEO of biotech company in parallel DOJ and SEC matter.
    • Represented CEO of public company in parallel DOJ and SEC investigation; both agencies declined to bring charges after multi-year investigations.
    • Represented multiple executives in various public corruption investigations.
    • Representing numerous individuals in various DOJ and SEC investigations and related class action litigation.
    • Represented an individual in federal criminal case alleging fraud and antitrust violations.
    • Represented an individual in federal criminal case alleging false statements. All charges were dismissed prior to trial.
    • Represented an 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 Pritzker 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 (2018-2023) 
    • The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2017-2022)
    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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