National Investigations & Elite Defense
- Proven Record: Winning nearly 90% of career felony jury trials, Harvard graduate David Vaughn represents individuals and institutions in high-stakes government investigations, grand jury proceedings, NCAA enforcement matters, and federal criminal defense.
- Employee Representation: David Vaughn represents employees, executives, and former employees who require independent counsel when their company, institution, or government agency is the subject of an internal investigation or a government inquiry. He is frequently retained at the request of referring counsel — the law firm representing the corporation or university — to provide effective, conflict-free, independent representation for one or more individuals whose interests may diverge from their employer.
- Institutional Oversight: Former Managing Director of Global Risk and Investigations at FTI Consulting, leading over 100 federal, state, university, and internal investigations nationwide — including working on the Madoff and Stanford Ponzi scheme investigations, Toyota Recall, and FCPA matters.
- Individual Attention: David personally leads every matter. Your case will never be handed off to another lawyer. Every client receives the strategic loyalty and respect that complex legal challenges demand.
Top Rated White Collar Crimes Attorney in the Los Angeles Area by Super Lawyers (2022–2026).
Recognized among the Best Law Firms in the United States by Best Lawyers.
Proven Winner
- Won nearly 90% of career felony jury trials — including fraud, bribery, public corruption, and murder — and won every jury trial he tried as a federal prosecutor.
- Notable prosecutions include a Presidential appointee who illegally exported nuclear triggers to the Middle East, a U.S. General who accepted kickbacks for government information, and perpetrators of a $50 million municipal fraud.
- One of the very few lawyers in America who have defended multiple NCAA Enforcement cases through Committee on Infractions hearings.
- Participated in more than 50 NCAA interviews of coaches, student-athletes, and university employees, and conducted more than 1,000 witness interviews.
- Represents businesses, employees, former employees, and witnesses in FBI, SEC, IRS, DOD, DOJ, and NCAA interviews, investigations, and testimony — nationwide.
About David Vaughn
David Vaughn is a Harvard-educated lawyer and former federal prosecutor based in Los Angeles. As a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, former Deputy District Attorney, and former Counsel to a United States Congressional subcommittee, he brings rare prosecutorial, legislative, and institutional oversight experience to every matter he handles.
As Managing Director of Global Risk & Investigations at FTI Consulting, he founded the firm's California investigations practice and led multi-disciplinary investigative teams on high-profile matters worldwide — experience directly relevant to Inspector General, compliance, and institutional oversight roles. His investigations practice encompassed the Madoff and Stanford Ponzi schemes (on behalf of victims), the Toyota Recall, Halliburton/KBR and other FCPA matters, and SEC and trade secrets investigations.
One of the only attorneys in the United States to have defended multiple NCAA Enforcement cases through Committee on Infractions hearings, Vaughn has participated in more than 50 NCAA interviews and conducted over 1,000 witness interviews. He has been named a Top Rated White Collar Crimes Attorney in Los Angeles by Super Lawyers every year from 2022 to 2026, and David Vaughn Law Offices has been recognized by Best Lawyers in its Best Law Firms rankings for the United States.