Byron McLain received the 2023 California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) award from the Daily Journal.  He served as the 2019 John M. Langston Bar Association President and is a Lifetime Member of the organization.  Byron is an equity partner at Foley & Lardner LLP, and a Los Angeles-based litigator and white-collar criminal defense lawyer.   He is a partner in Foley’s Government Enforcement Defense & Investigations, and Securities Enforcement & Litigation Practices, as well as a member of the Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) Team. 

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Byron investigates, litigates, and tries complex criminal and civil cases, including those involving government investigations. He also conducts corporate internal investigations, often successfully persuading the government not to pursue investigations of his clients. He is widely recognized for his ability to address clients’ concerns quickly and efficiently, providing concrete solutions addressing not only the legal issues involved, but also the potential impact on a client’s business. He is strongly adept at articulating complex issues in layman’s terms across industries and at humanizing corporate clients, so they are relatable as witnesses during interviews and at trial.

 

As a former federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, Byron has leveraged his extensive knowledge and broad network of relationships to achieve the best results for his clients in a very discrete manner. He also advises clients concerning the distribution and marketing of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies to best avoid these assets from being construed as securities by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He works closely with the firm’s Health Care, Cannabis, and Sports & Entertainment Industry Teams, and serves as co-chair of the Racial Justice and Equity Practice Group.

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