Featured Practices
Ariel Neuman is a trial lawyer who clients turn to for their most high-profile civil cases and criminal investigations.
A former Assistant United States Attorney, his work includes defending a Fortune 150 company against criminal charges at trial, representing members of Congress in relation to grand jury investigations, leading an internal investigation for a major league sports franchise, and obtaining a multi-million dollar jury verdict in a six-week trial involving Bel Air real estate. For over a decade, he has served as visiting faculty at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop.
Mr. Neuman has led teams of lawyers in numerous jury trials involving complicated issues of fraud and misconduct. He has experience litigating and arbitrating cases around the country, and regularly takes on cases against the biggest law firms, as well as government regulators such as the SEC and DOJ. He is often called upon to conduct internal investigations related to accounting issues, False Claims Act allegations, potential FCPA violations, employment issues, and related matters for national and multi-national corporations, or represent corporate executives and board members at companies experiencing such investigations.
He advises clients in matters involving securities fraud, unfair business practices, claims of anti-competitive conduct, environmental crimes, health care fraud, money laundering, tariff issues, workplace personnel issues, tax crimes, and other offenses. He also routinely represents companies and individuals involved in bet-the-company litigation.
Before joining Bird Marella in 2014, Mr. Neuman served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles for nearly seven years. Mr. Neuman was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association and received numerous commendations and awards for his service. He led numerous high-profile investigations and prosecutions of white-collar and violent crimes and was also responsible for the domestic portion of several international investigations. During his tenure at the US Attorney’s office, Mr. Neuman handled cases involving securities fraud, tax evasion, real estate fraud, health care fraud, art fraud, bank fraud, drug offenses, counterfeit currency, computer crimes, and more. He is among the most experienced federal RICO prosecutors in the country now in private practice, having prosecuted over 200 individuals for violating federal racketeering laws.
Education & Admissions
- Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 2005
- Columbia University, B.A., magna cum laude, Student Body President, Phi Beta Kappa, 2001
- California, 2006
- Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Courts: Central & Northern Districts of California
Associations
- Visiting Faculty, Harvard Law School: Trial Advocacy Workshop
- Board Member, Bet Tzedek Legal Services
- Board of Directors, American Bar Association White Collar Crime Committee, Southern California Regional Subcommittee
- Member, American Bar Association: Criminal Justice Section, Section of Litigation
- Member, Federal Bar Association: Federal Litigation Section, Criminal Law Section, Health Law Section, Securities Law Section
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Former Board Member, Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice
Notable Matters
Representative Matters at Bird Marella
Lead counsel for the Los Angeles Angels in all matters related to the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs, including a criminal investigation of a former employee and civil lawsuits filed by the Skaggs family.
Trial counsel for two families in a high-profile dispute with developer Mohamed Hadid regarding an illegal mansion Hadid built in Bel Air. Following a six-week trial in which every lawyer, witness, and juror wore masks (and some jurors and witnesses participated by Zoom), secured a multi-million dollar verdict for clients as well as an order requiring that the mansion be demolished.
Trial counsel defending Plains All American Pipeline, a Fortune 150 company, in a four-month trial based on criminal charges filed by the California Attorney General’s Office and Santa Barbara DA’s Office, related to an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara. Obtained dismissal of 37 out of 46 counts and a penalty a tiny fraction of that requested by prosecutors.
Trial counsel defending a real estate developer charged with making an illegal bribe to a Los Angeles City Councilmember.
Represents a multi-billion dollar publicly-traded technology company in the mobile app ad space in relation to a civil anti-trust investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice.
Obtained full return of over $4 million in cash seized from client, and convinced US DOJ to abandon the case.
Represented multiple members of Congress in various grand jury investigations.
Represents a former NBA player in a healthcare fraud case pending in the Southern District of New York.
In “bet-the-company” litigation, defeated a preliminary injunction demand that would have shuttered oil-services business and required firing of all employees.
Represented one of the largest minority-owned broker/dealers in a FINRA arbitration and successfully defeated a demand for a permanent injunction regarding certain business practices related to muni bonds and fixed income investments.
Represented a financial professional involved in a dispute with his former business partners, who attempted to freeze Mr. Neuman’s client’s out of the partnership and deprive him of his rightful assets and membership interests. The matter was confidentially settled to the satisfaction of Mr. Neuman’s client.
Represents a doctor in an investigation by the DOJ related to various health care fraud allegations. Mr. Neuman convinced the Assistant U.S. Attorney to reverse a decision to indict the client on charges of billing for non-existent or medically unnecessary procedures.
Represented a CFO and part owner of a media holding company against money laundering and Travel Act charges in connection with the recent indictment in Arizona relating to Backpage.com, as well as in connection with numerous related forfeiture proceedings in Los Angeles.
Represented a patent attorney under investigation for violation of the Hobbs Act (extortion involving threats of financial harm). Mr. Neuman set the stage for his client to get immunity from the Department of Justice.
Represented an individual under investigation for antitrust, anti-competitive activities in the public works construction area. The investigation was closed without any charges being filed against Mr. Neuman’s client.
Represented an immigration attorney charged with securities fraud and other violations by the SEC related to the attorney’s work on behalf of clients seeking EB-5 visas.
Represented two prominent physicians under investigation for alleged Medicare and Medicaid fraud. The United States Attorney’s Office and Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, closed the investigation without filing any charges against Mr. Neuman’s clients.
Conducted an internal investigation for the Chinese subsidiary of a US-based technology company. The investigation focused on possible FCPA and tax violations, and was concluded without any finding of wrong-doing.
In major federal trade-based money laundering prosecution, secured settlement for client that resulted in dismissal of money laundering charges. Mr. Neuman and his colleagues successfully argued for the suppression of evidence illegally seized from one of the client’s business locations.
Represents a corporate executive facing a civil contempt action brought by the Federal Trade Commission. This case is on hold while other litigation continues, but to date Mr. Neuman has successfully prevented the FTC from deposing his client.
Representative Matters at the U.S. Attorney’s Office
In a three-week jury trial of a defendant charged with crimes related to tax evasion, art theft, and art fraud, Mr. Neuman and a colleague secured convictions on all charges. Mr. Neuman joined the case only weeks before trial, took over opening and closing arguments as well as the examination of numerous key witnesses, and earned accolades for his trial advocacy skills from colleagues and onlookers.
Led the investigation and prosecution of over a dozen defendants involved in a $20 million mortgage and bank fraud scheme involving short sale and lending fraud on over 35 properties around Southern California. Among the defendants was a former bank officer who accepted bribes to manipulate the bank’s short sale process.
In a matter that garnered world-wide media attention, secured the extradition to Mexico of a television producer on charges of murdering his wife at a Cancun resort and then fleeing back to the United States.
Prosecuted over 200 defendants for violations of federal racketeering (“RICO”) laws. As part of these and related cases, won several jury trials where defendants were convicted of RICO charges, murder conspiracy charges, alien smuggling offenses, firearms offenses, and narcotics distribution charges. His efforts were recognized repeatedly in awards and commendations from various organizations.
Awards & Recognition
- Ranked, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA, 2021-present
- Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers®, 2023
- Selected as "Legal Visionary," Business of Law Magazine, Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing, 2022
- Top White Collar Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2021
- Up and Coming, Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Chambers USA, 2019-2020
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers®, 2021-present
- Impact Case of the Year: People v. Plains All American Pipeline, Benchmark Litigation, 2020
- Rising Star: White Collar, Law360, 2019
- Under 40 Hot List, Benchmark Litigation, 2018-2019
- Top 40 Under 40, Daily Journal, 2018
- Southern California Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2018-present
- Southern California Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2015-2017
- Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2014
- U.S. Department of Justice, 2012
- California Narcotics Officers Association, 2011
- Peace Officers’ Association of Los Angeles County, 2011
- Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, 2010
- Anti-Defamation League, 2010
- Federal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association, 2008
Publications
- Co-Author, “Bank Secrecy Act exposes failure of Congress in articulating its intent," Daily Journal, October 2022
- Co-Author, “Renewed fight against corporate crime,” Daily Journal, November 2021
- Contributor, “California: An Introduction to Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations,” Chambers and Partners USA, May 2021
- Co-Author, “FCPA Enforcement Continues Apace Under Trump Administration,” Bloomberg Law, December 13, 2019
- Co-Author, “Walmart Settlement’s Lessons For Avoiding FCPA Prosecution,” Law360, August 27, 2019
- Co-Author, “How Walmart Pulled off an FCPA Win,” Daily Journal, July 2, 2019 (with Naomi Solomon)
- Co-Author, “When and Why to Consider Self-Disclosure of Criminal Conduct,” American Bar Association, March 21, 2019
- Co-Author, “Six Ways To Avoid Being Co-Opted Into a Trade-Based Money Laundering Scheme,” Bloomberg BNA, May 14, 2018
- Co-Author, “Backpage Dismissal Does Not Solve Websites’ Woes,” Law360, December, 2016
- Co-Author, “United States: White-Collar Criminal Defence,” Global Investigations Review, August 25, 2015
- Co-Author, “United States: White-Collar Criminal Defence,” Global Investigations Review, September 17, 2014
- Co-Author, “FedEx Indictment Creates Bad Incentives,” Daily Journal, August 5, 2014
- Author, “Ruling in Chevron’s Ecuador Case Inspires a RICO Refresher,” Daily Journal, March 31, 2014
- Co-Author, “Custodial Interrogations: What We Know, What We Do, and What We Can Learn From Law Enforcement Experiences,” Educing Information – Interrogation: Science & Art, National Defense Intelligence College Press, 2006
News & Insights
Bird Marella Clients Awarded More Than $3 Million in Fees in Mohamed Hadid Bel Air Mansion Saga
As the final chapter in Bird Marella’s successful representation of residents in a lawsuit against celebrity developer Mohamed Hadid, the Los Angeles Superior Court recently awarded the firm’s …
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Go to the postAriel A. Neuman and Alexander H. Tran Author Article on Foreign Bank Account-Related Fines Implicated by Upcoming Supreme Court Case
Bird Marella attorneys Ariel A. Neuman and Alexander H. Tran authored the Daily Journal article, “Bank Secrecy Act exposes failure of Congress in articulating its intent.” It analyzes …
Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Go to the postBenjamin Gluck and Ariel Neuman Named Lawyers of the Year as 20 Bird Marella Attorneys Recognized Among the 2023 Best Lawyers in America®
Bird Marella is proud to announce the inclusion of 20 lawyers in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch by U.S. News. Benjamin …
Friday, August 19, 2022
Go to the post“Legal Visionaries” Ariel Neuman and Timothy Yoo Featured in L.A. Times Business of Law Magazine
Bird Marella principals Ariel Neuman and Timothy B. Yoo were selected for the second annual listing of “Legal Visionaries” by the L.A. Times Business of Law Magazine. The magazine recognizes the top attorneys in Southern California. Mr. Neuman’s selection celebrates …
Monday, June 27, 2022
Go to the postChambers USA Praises Bird Marella as “Elite Boutique Firm” with “Top-Shelf” and “Best-in-Class Lawyers” in 2022 Rankings
In its 2022 rankings, Chambers and Partners recognizes Bird Marella as “an extraordinary firm with best-in-class lawyers” who “are top-shelf and really punch above their weight.” The legal guide commended the firm for …
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Go to the postTop Verdict: Bird Marella’s Highly Publicized Bel Air Trial Victory Featured in Daily Journal
Bird Marella is featured in the Daily Journal’s 2022 Winning Verdicts and Settlements list for its hard-fought litigation win in John C. Bedrosian, et al. v. Mohamed Hadid, …
Friday, February 11, 2022
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