Cooley Taps Prominent Federal Prosecutor in Silicon Valley as White Collar Defense and Investigations Practice Continues to Grow

John Bostic – an accomplished trial attorney who investigated and tried Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Ramesh Balwani – is the latest in a series of former government and next-generation litigators to join Cooley amid growing demand for elite white collar, investigations and trial capabilities.

Palo Alto – May 29, 2024 – John Bostic has joined Cooley’s Palo Alto office as a partner in the firm’s white collar defense and investigations practice and global litigation department. Bostic joins after nearly a decade with the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, where he tried some of the office’s most significant cases – including the case against Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes and COO Ramesh Balwani. At Cooley, Bostic will focus his practice on advising the firm’s disruptive client base as it navigates complex government and internal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions and prosecutions, and commercial litigation.

“John is a tremendously talented trial lawyer with an unmatched reputation as a prosecutor in Silicon Valley,” said Andrew Goldstein, head of Cooley’s white collar defense and investigations group. “John’s unflappable demeanor and impressive advocacy skills make him the person you want in the courtroom and the boardroom when the stakes are highest. He will be an invaluable resource for our innovative clients as they continue to face heightened investigative, enforcement and regulatory scrutiny.”

“We have strategically built an unparalleled roster of courtroom advocates and top-tier former government attorneys from the Department of Justice, Congress and several other federal agencies – including nearly 30 new litigation partners in the last three years alone,” said Michael Attanasio, chair of Cooley’s global litigation department. “With his impeccable reputation, stellar track record, and extensive civil and criminal litigation experience, John is the epitome of Cooley’s diverse, next-generation talent. His courtroom performance in the Theranos trials – one of the most closely watched cases in Silicon Valley and the country – fits perfectly with our culture of elite advocacy.”

As an assistant US attorney with the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, Bostic led criminal investigations and prosecutions in a wide variety of federal cases – including securities fraud, bank fraud, insider trading, computer hacking, public corruption and more. Bostic played a leading role in the investigation and trials of Theranos’ Holmes and Balwani. He also served as co-first-chair trial counsel in a high-profile domestic terrorism case that resulted in the conviction of right-wing extremists who carried out a fatal attack at the Oakland federal courthouse in 2020. Prior to his career in public service, he spent six years at a San Francisco boutique firm, representing clients in complex commercial litigation and government investigations. Bostic earned his JD from Stanford Law School and clerked for US District Judge Marilyn L. Huff of the US District Court for the Southern District of California.

“I have been so impressed by the recent strategic growth and the talent in Cooley’s white collar practice, and I could not think of a better platform for my return to private practice,” said Bostic. “I am incredibly excited to join this world-class team of fellow former prosecutors and other litigators, and support Cooley’s cutting-edge clients – including leading technology, social media, generative artificial intelligence and life sciences companies – as they deal with critical challenges from government agencies and competitors.”

Recent additions to Cooley’s global litigation department include Andrew Goldstein (Southern District of New York and DOJ), Susanne Sachsman Grooms and Heather Sawyer (congressional investigations), Michelle Rogers (financial enforcement), Sonia Nath (Food and Drug Administration), and Ethan Glass and Kathy O’Neill (DOJ antitrust) in Washington, DC; Rebekah Donaleski and Russell Capone (SDNY) in New York; Matt Kutcher (Northern District of Illinois) in Chicago; and Zach Hafer (District of Massachusetts) in Boston. Cooley counsels clients in all aspects of white collar and regulatory defense, including complex government and internal investigations, regulatory enforcement actions and prosecutions.

Press Coverage

“DealBook: ConocoPhillips to Acquire Marathon Oil in $22.5 Billion Deal,” The New York Times DealBook (subscription required)

“Cooley Fortifies White-Collar Practice in Palo Alto With Elizabeth Holmes Prosecutor,” Law.com (subscription required)

“Elizabeth Holmes Prosecutor Bostic Joins Cooley in Palo Alto,” Bloomberg Law

“Theranos prosecutor joins law firm Cooley in Silicon Valley,” Reuters (subscription required)

“Theranos, Elizabeth Holmes Prosecutor Joins Cooley In Calif.,” Law360 (subscription required)

“Clerks denounce judiciary’s limit on Gaza speech,” Reuters The Daily Docket (subscription required)

“New York jury mulls Trump’s fate,” Financial Times Full Disclosure (subscription required)

“Former Theranos prosecutor joins Cooley,” Daily Journal (subscription required)

“Judicial Notice (06.02.24): From The White House To The Big House?,” Original Jurisdiction

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