Patrick Hein
Image of Patrick Hein

Patrick Hein

Partner

Email

patrick.hein@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 415 616 1218

Offices

San Francisco

Social

LinkedIn

V-CARD

A former federal prosecutor, Patrick focuses on white-collar criminal defense, regulatory investigations, and enforcement actions, as well as high-stakes commercial litigation matters on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants across the U.S.

Patrick has achieved significant trial victories as lead counsel on behalf of clients in recent years, including a jury verdict for Reflex Media Inc. in a trademark infringement case in the Northern District of California that earned him “Litigator of the Week” recognition in August 2025.

An experienced trial lawyer, Patrick regularly represents and advises clients in some of their most significant matters, ranging from bet-the-company civil cases to highly sensitive white-collar investigations. Patrick’s civil work includes securities, Lanham Act, antitrust, unfair competition, and other commercial disputes in federal and state courts in California. Patrick also frequently conducts internal investigations for companies related to fraud, bribery, and market manipulation claims, and represents companies and individuals before the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, and other regulatory agencies.

Prior to returning to private practice in San Francisco, Patrick served for eight years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, including most recently as Deputy Chief of the Business and Securities Fraud Section and as a senior member of the Department of Justice’s FIFA Corruption Task Force. During his time at the EDNY, Patrick investigated, prosecuted, and tried a wide range of high-profile white-collar criminal matters, including the FIFA corruption case, securities fraud cases, and FCPA cases.

Before joining the EDNY, Patrick clerked for U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz of the District of Maryland and practiced at another global law firm in San Francisco.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

Securities, Lanham Act, Antitrust, Unfair Competition, and Complex Commercial Litigation
  • Achieved jury trial victory as lead counsel for media company in N.D. Cal. action alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
  • Obtained dismissal with prejudice for global financial institution in C.D. Cal. federal securities fraud case related to pre-IPO investment in China-based grocery retailer.
  • Multinational video game and digital entertainment company in N.D. Cal. federal antitrust class action alleging monopolization and unfair competition related to changes in distribution strategy.
  • Gaming and entertainment company in California state court action alleging unfair competition and false advertising.
  • Obtained favorable resolution for global financial institution in California state court action alleging fraud in connection with USD725 million loan to renewable energy company.
White Collar Criminal Defense, Regulatory Enforcement, and Internal Investigations
  • Global financial institution in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations.
  • Technology company in connection with DOJ investigation.
  • Financial advisory firm executive in connection with SEC investigation.
  • Global financial institution in connection with CFTC litigation.
  • Technology companies in connection with internal FCPA investigations and compliance reviews.
  • Special board committee of pharmaceutical company in connection with internal investigation related to shareholder demand.
Federal White Collar Criminal Prosecution Experience at EDNY
International Corruption and the FCPA
  • Investigated and prosecuted soccer officials and sports marketing and broadcasting companies and executives for wire fraud and money laundering in connection with the Department of Justice’s FIFA Task Force’s long-running prosecution of corruption in international soccer.
  • Investigated and obtained corporate resolutions and guilty pleas from global shipping and oil and gas companies, which paid more than USD700m to resolve FCPA charges with the United States, Brazil, and Singapore arising out of decade-long schemes to pay millions of dollars in bribes to government officials in Brazil.
Securities Fraud, Market Manipulation, and Insider Trading
  • Obtained convictions after nine-week trial of co-Chief Investment Officers of Platinum Partners hedge fund for scheme to defraud bondholders of USD70m.
  • Obtained convictions of nine defendants, including corporate executive after five-week trial, for USD300m market manipulation scheme.
  • Obtained insider trading conviction of investment advisor tipped off by corporate lawyer client regarding a pending pharmaceutical company merger, which scheme resulted in more than USD400,000 in illegal profits.
Cryptocurrency Fraud
  • Led investigation of multimillion-dollar schemes to manipulate the price of cryptocurrencies using fake press releases and fraudulent online user accounts.
  • Led investigation of multimillion-dollar cyber romance scams laundering proceeds through cryptocurrency exchange.

Pro bono

  • Represented indigent defendants in criminal wire fraud and identity theft cases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Speaking Engagements

  • Presented to technology companies and global financial institutions on DOJ’s revised corporate criminal enforcement policies.

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, German American Chamber of Commerce

Awards

  • Prosecutor of the Year, Federal Law Enforcement Foundation, 2019 and 2020

Qualifications

Admissions

California, 2007
District of Columbia, 2022

Courts

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

Academic

B.A., Yale University, magna cum laude, 2001
J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 2007
Member, California Law Review

Languages

English, German
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.