William C. Athanas

Birmingham Bar Foundation, Fellow Listed in Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial, 2019-2023 Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year,” Birmingham, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2023 Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2019-2024 Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement, 2022-2024 Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2022-2024 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2013-2023 “Top 50 Birmingham” Listed in B-Metro, “Top Lawyers,” White Collar Criminal Defense, 2018 Represented an insurance broker indicted on eight felony charges, including insurance fraud and identity theft. Conducted investigation that demonstrated investigating agent had misrepresented witness statements, which resulted in prosecutor dismissing the indictment with prejudice. Represented an individual charged with fraud and commercial bribery in sentencing proceedings in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Served as pro bono co-counsel to defendant charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama in large drug trafficking prosecution. Matter dismissed following presentation to government regarding flaws in allegations. Represented large manufacturer in defense of multi-year investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor. Represented the former presidentially appointed Region 4 administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in defense of alleged violations of the Alabama Ethics Act. Served as pro bono co-counsel to defendant charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama with illegal firearm possession. Matter dismissed following filing of motion to suppress, which the government conceded was correct. Represented individuals in connection with public corruption grand jury investigations conducted by the Alabama Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. Represented a large publicly traded client in connection with a grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia. Represented a genetics laboratory in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama. Represented a former high-level official in connection with an investigation of federal "revolving door" statute. Following submission of lengthy whitepaper, prosecution declined and matter closed. Represented an individual in connection with a grand jury investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia involving public corruption. Represented a publicly traded client in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida that focused on vendor's violation of federal tax laws. Represented an individual in connection with a criminal investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice Antitrust Division; matter concluded without client being charged. Represented employees of an engineering firm in connection with grand jury investigations conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama and the Alabama Attorney General's Office. Represented a healthcare provider in defense of an indictment returned in a large federal public corruption investigation in the Western District of Arkansas. Represented an individual in connection with a nationwide Department of Justice criminal investigation of automobile emissions testing of automobiles. Represented then-governor of Alabama in connection with state and federal criminal investigations and inquiry being conducted by Alabama Ethics Commission. Represented a healthcare provider identified as target of a federal grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. Prepared lengthy submission demonstrating that allegations were ill-founded; matter closed without any charges filed against client. Represented an individual in a criminal case and civil False Claims Act investigation in connection with federal healthcare services. The criminal case closed without any charges filed, and the FCA investigation settled on favorable terms. Represented employees of a pharmacy chain in connection with a grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama regarding alleged unlawful distribution of Schedule II controlled substances. Represented a pain management practice in a federal grand jury investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana (criminal) and a civil False Claims Act investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York; both matters closed without any action taken against client. Represented a financial institution officer identified as a target in a federal criminal investigation in the Northern District of Alabama relating to alleged nominee loans; matter closed with no charges filed against client. Represented a medical practice in a federal investigation of potential violations of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act relating to alleged importation of unapproved and misbranded medications. The criminal investigation was conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Matter closed with no charges filed. Represented multiple corporate entities in ongoing federal grand jury investigation in the Northern District of Alabama regarding alleged improper receipt of federal grant funds. Advised a management service company regarding a federal grand jury investigation of a dermatology practice for whom it provided management services. Represented a pain management clinic named as a target of a criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama. The matter closed with no charges. Represented a former CEO of a local produce company charged in the Northern District of Alabama with federal fraud and tax offenses. Represented an individual charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and healthcare fraud in the Eastern District of Louisiana.