Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP is pleased to announce that Carlos Ortiz will join the firm as a partner in the firm’s White Collar & Government Enforcement practice group. A seasoned litigator, Ortiz will base his practice in the firm’s offices in New York City and Madison, NJ.
Ortiz advises organizations and individuals on matters related to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), allegations of fraud against government agencies and financial institutions, securities and health care fraud, and high-risk tax controversies. He has significant experience representing corporations, including their boards of directors and committees, in connection with corporate governance and compliance matters. In addition, Ortiz has conducted numerous domestic and international internal investigations on behalf of firms in the financial services, pharmaceutical, health care, aerospace, energy, and telecommunications industries.
“Carlos’ impressive background as a federal prosecutor, coupled with his deep experience in representing clients in matters relating to fraud, public corruption, criminal tax violations, international money laundering, and environmental issues, will be a tremendous asset to our litigation practice,” said Daryl Lapp, co-chair of the Litigation Department at Edwards Wildman. “Carlos is an outstanding trial lawyer and a tenacious advocate, and we are pleased to welcome him to the firm.”
Ortiz comes to Edwards Wildman from LeClairRyan’s Newark office, where he was a partner and served as the head of the firm’s Investigations, Compliance and White Collar Criminal Defense team. Previously, he served as the vice chair of the FCPA and Compliance Group at DLA Piper. Ortiz entered private practice in 2005 following a highly regarded career at the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and at the US Department of Justice. Ortiz served as deputy and acting chief of the criminal division at the US Attorney’s office, where he supervised eight criminal litigation units, and as chief of the Government Fraud Unit.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Ortiz was appointed by Gov. Jon Corzine to serve as a commissioner on the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Police Standards. In 1996, he was the recipient of the US Department of Justice’s Special Achievement Award for sustained superior performance. In 1991, the Tax Division presented him with its Outstanding Attorney Award. Ortiz has also received commendation letters from the FBI, IRS and DEA. Finally, Ortiz’ efforts on behalf of children was recognized at a White House ceremony in May 2005 and a Congressional breakfast sponsored by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Ortiz earned his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, his LL.M. in taxation from the University Baltimore School of Law, and his law degree from Brooklyn Law School. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.
