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Benjamin D. Wood
Partner
Ben Wood assists clients in federal and state litigation at the trial and appellate levels, and in government investigations and enforcement matters. Ben has represented financial institutions, corporations, individuals, political organizations, campaigns and foreign governments in matters involving economic sanctions, money laundering, bank fraud, Bank Secrecy Act, public corruption, industrial disasters, healthcare fraud and campaign finance litigation.
- Representing foreign financial institutions, primarily in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, in investigations of potential violations of US sanctions and money laundering laws, including representation before OFAC, the Department of Justice and other US and home-country enforcement agencies and regulators.
- Represented National Commercial Bank, Saudi Arabia’s largest bank, in defending and settling a multiyear OFAC investigation of apparent violations of US sanctions against Sudan and Syria.
- Represented Habib Bank Limited, Pakistan’s largest bank, in liquidating its New York branch without further enforcement action by the Federal Reserve or the New York Department of Financial Services.
- Represented a global, GCC-based bank in defending and resolving a multiyear OFAC investigation with the issuance of a private cautionary letter.
- Represented senior executives of BNP Paribas in a significant multi-agency investigation of alleged OFAC sanctions violations.
- Represented the Chris Christie for Governor campaign committee in government investigations arising from the Bridgegate incident.
- Represented a senior executive of a Fortune 50 company in investigations of alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Represented Members of Congress in investigations by the Department of Justice, US Attorneys Offices, House Ethics Committee, Office of Congressional Ethics and Federal Election Commission.
- Represented Massey Energy Company in criminal, administrative and civil matters arising from the fatal explosion at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine.
- Represented a national home healthcare provider in parallel criminal and civil False Claims Act investigations led by the US Attorney’s Office in Newark, New Jersey.
- Represented a BP Exploration Alaska executive in a federal criminal investigation by the Anchorage US Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice Environmental Crimes Section stemming from the oil pipeline leak at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, as well as in related civil proceedings.
- Represented two individuals in criminal and Congressional public corruption investigations of a House committee chairman.
- Represented the chief executive of an international corporation in a US Department of Justice criminal antitrust investigation.
- Represented Aracoma Coal Company in defending felony charges stemming from a fatal mine fire.
- Represented a former UnitedHealth Group executive in connection with consolidated federal shareholder litigation arising from the company's alleged back-dating of stock options.
- Represented an internet entrepreneur in parallel Federal Trade Commission and criminal fraud investigations.
- International Bechtel Co., Ltd. v. Dep’t of Civil Aviation of the Govt. of Dubai, 360 F.Supp.2d 136 (D.D.C.2005): Obtained dismissal of the petition to confirm and enforce a US$25 million foreign arbitration award.
- Submitted amicus curiae brief as counsel of record in the US Supreme Court, on behalf of the Cato Institute, in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and Davis v. Federal Election Commission.
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2001
- Yale University, B.A., 1995
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 2002
- Maryland, 2001
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Supreme Court