J. Christopher Dippel, Jr.

"White-collar investigations often come down to assessing an individual or entity’s intent. My goal is to understand the normally complicated set of facts and circumstances surrounding a client’s decision-making to fortify the defense strategy. Showing lack of criminal intent can be the key to limiting financial and reputational damage and results in the best possible outcome in or out of court."

As a former federal and state prosecutor, Chris has years of experience with the criminal justice process, from investigation to trial. He understands defense strategy and advocacy and defends individuals and businesses involved in difficult, high-stakes, and complex white-collar matters. He understands, from first-hand and earned experience, that government investigations and enforcement proceedings often surface quickly and present clients with confusing and difficult decisions.

Inevitably, there is more to the story. Clients across the state have turned to Chris to understand their situation. They value his counsel and advocacy when resolving a variety of alleged financial fraud and white-collar matters. Chris combines a deep level of commitment, personalized attention, and sharp instincts to deliver effective legal solutions, with one criminal defense client noting that “Chris is worth every cent.”

Chris navigates clients through investigations, enforcement actions, and criminal litigation. Methodical, pragmatic, calm, and client-centric in his approach to advocacy, he remains ever-ready to litigate but often favorably resolves criminal inquiries without prosecution, expensive litigation, or unwanted publicity.

Notably, Chris served as an Assistant Lecturer at the LSU Law Center teaching the Administration of Criminal Justice II course for three years. He is also a FINRA Arbitrator for security disputes.

Prior to private practice, Chris served as a decade-long Federal Prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana. He also served as a Deputy Criminal Chief during his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

As a federal prosecutor, Chris tried several jury trials, including as lead counsel for two multi-week securities fraud (insider trading) trials. He also tried cases related to healthcare fraud, conspiracy, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. His investigation and prosecution work involved a wide variety of criminal matters, including healthcare fraud, investment and securities fraud, public corruption, false statements, embezzlement, tax violations, bank fraud, insurance fraud, wire and mail fraud, cyber offenses, civil rights violations, theft of government funds, counterfeiting, environmental crimes, child pornography, drug trafficking, firearm offenses, and violent crime.

Before joining the U.S. Department of Justice, Chris served as an Assistant District Attorney in East Baton Rouge Parish. After law school, he worked as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Jay C. Zainey of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Chris’s unique perspective, gained from his prior experience in the government, deepens his bench strength in and out of the courtroom and at trial, as well as reinforces his ability to advise clients faced with all types of white-collar problems. He brings this first-hand understanding of how the government develops investigations and prosecutes alleged crimes to every client he serves. He uses that knowledge to more effectively communicate with law enforcement and advocate before the juries and courts that determine his client’s fate.