Benton (Ben) Curtis is a former federal prosecutor and accomplished trial lawyer who serves as the co-head of McDermott Will & Schulte's global white-collar and government investigations practice. He draws upon his experience to advise clients on regulatory enforcement and white-collar criminal matters, internal investigations, and due diligence regarding third-party and business transactions. Ben’s efforts touch on both US and cross-border matters, and they often entail providing contemporaneous guidance as to the design, testing, and implementation of compliance programs.
Ben regularly represents clients before, and in litigation against, government agencies, including clients accused of healthcare fraud, kickback violations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, money laundering, and securities fraud. He likewise regularly helps corporate and individual victims seek redress through civil litigation and, when appropriate, the criminal justice system.
Over his career, Ben has tried more than 25 federal jury trials in district courts around the country, and he leans into that experience when counseling his clients in high-stakes matters. Ben’s capabilities stem, in large part, from his previous 10 years with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), which included extended stints in Miami, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. In his last position, Ben served for almost five years as an Assistant Chief in DOJ’s Criminal Division, Fraud Section, where he supervised numerous large-scale healthcare fraud investigations and prosecutions around the country. He also oversaw significant FCPA investigations related to the entertainment and gaming industries in Asia and a number of insider trading and high-yield investment matters.
