Shanlon Wu

Shan represents clients in white-collar, criminal, and higher education matters. A former federal prosecutor, Shan uses his in-depth knowledge of government investigations and trial experience to advise individuals, businesses, and students on their most pressing legal challenges. Shan has tried more than twenty-five cases to jury verdict, argued appellate cases in local and federal court, litigated complex commercial cases, and counseled clients at all stages of criminal and civil investigations.

Shan’s white-collar practice involves advising individuals and companies facing investigations and prosecutions for federal and local criminal violations. These violations include healthcare fraud, defrauding the government, conflicts of interest, and allegations of bribery. He has guided clients through the Enron investigation, compliance with grand jury subpoenas, defense of qui tam and False Claims Act (FCA) actions, and complex arbitrations.

Shan has also established himself as a resource for college and university students and their parents/guardians in the face of potential disciplinary proceedings or criminal investigations brought by their institution. His understanding of the university system and its complexities enables him to help minimize potential damage to a student’s academic career. Shan regularly defends students in disciplinary proceedings for conduct violations, (such as alcohol and drug violations, hazing, and assault), as well as academic violations (plagiarism and cheating, for instance).

Shan has considerable government experience, having served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno as a supervisor in the U. S. Attorney’s Office Misdemeanor Trials Section, as head of a Police Corruption Task Force, and as a senior supervisor on an Independent Counsel investigation regarding a Cabinet official. In his former role, he advised on criminal and civil investigations, e-commerce issues (such as internet gambling, privacy, and public access in court filings) congressional oversight, and legislative review, and liaised with the FBI, DEA (Criminal Division), National Institute of Justice, and the White House Counsel’s office.

As a federal prosecutor, he pioneered the use of expert testimony in domestic violence cases and, along with a co-counsel, secured the first life-without-parole sentence for a serial rapist ever imposed in the District of Columbia. In recognition of his outstanding legal work, the Justice Department bestowed upon Shan a number of Special Achievement Awards, and he was similarly recognized by both law enforcement agencies and community groups.

Shan’s experience includes general business litigation, where he prioritizes obtaining favorable and timely resolutions for his clients. Bi-lingual in Mandarin Chinese, he has worked extensively in China as a consultant to China’s largest law firm and served as counsel for them in matters before the International Trade Commission.

Shan contributes commentary and insights on current events as a CNN Legal Analyst.