Mark N. Bartlett
Partner
Chair, White Collar, Investigations & Government Controversies Group
Mark Bartlett helps companies and individuals who find themselves dealing with high-stakes civil and criminal fraud enforcement proceedings and investigations around the country. Mark draws on over 35 years of experience as a trial attorney and litigator, including 25 years as a former federal prosecutor. Mark founded and chairs the firm's white collar, investigations and government controversies group. His practice focuses on False Claims Act investigations, SEC enforcement proceedings, white collar matters, and complex internal investigations. He has guided numerous corporations and senior executives through intense government investigations. Mark's clients have included Fortune 500 public corporations, private companies, firms and numerous individuals, all needing his unique blend of pragmatism and dogged advocacy.
Practice Highlights
Significant experience with government investigations
Veteran trial lawyer
White Collar & Complex Civil Litigation
- Defended Battelle Memorial Institute in a Department of Energy whistleblower retaliation case brought under the Whistleblower Protection section of the National Defense Authorization Act. Plaintiff alleged that she was removed from her position after making a protected disclosure regarding management's alleged efforts to change a root cause analysis report concerning an improper payment of $530,000 to a fraudulent entity. Secured a unanimous defense verdict following two-week trial. Busselman v. Battelle Memorial Institute (E.D. Wash. 2019)
- Represented publicly traded company facing parallel DOJ and SEC investigations focused on allegations of inflated revenues and false disclosures. (2013-2015)
- Represented international fishing company in connection with federal criminal Clean Air Act investigation. Obtained declination of all criminal charges. (2011-2015)
- Representation of company president in DOJ criminal tax investigation centered on transfer pricing issues. No criminal or civil actions brought. (2010-2014)
- Representation of company president in joint Canadian/United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations investigation. Canadian charges dropped and United States investigation declined. (2012-2014)
- Representation of a corporate executive regarding investigation into alleged price collusion in the ocean shipping industry. No criminal or civil actions brought. (2011-2014)
- Representation of media company in connection with federal grand jury probe. Obtained court order quashing grand jury investigation. (2012-2013)
- Representation of a Japanese executive in connection with a joint Department of Justice and Japanese Fair Trade Commission investigation of alleged price-fixing in the auto parts industry. No criminal or civil actions brought. (2011-2013)
- Representation of individuals in connection with investigations by the IRS and Department of Justice resulting in return of over $60 million to clients. (2013)
- Representation of a major nonprofit healthcare provider in connection with a national qui tam lawsuit. (2010-2011)
- Obtained declination of prosecution from DOJ after five-year grand jury investigation of alleged federal tax and campaign finance violations associated with Alaska public corruption investigation. (2010-2011)
Internal Investigations & Government Investigations
- Conducted internal investigation in China for publicly traded company, regarding allegations of fraudulent bookkeeping and financial reporting. (2013-2015)
- Conducted internal investigation for national company related to possible corporate espionage. (2011)
- Conducted internal investigation in connection with corporate acquisition focused on alleged illegal kickback scheme. (2012)
- Conducted internal investigation for large nonprofit hospital relating to employee theft; investigation resulted in full recovery of over $3 million and federal conviction of wrongdoers. (2010-2011)
- Representation of refinery employees in connection with Chemical Safety Board and Department of Justice investigations into accident that caused multiple fatalities. (2011-2014)
- Representation of Fortune 500 company in federal grand jury investigation connected to allegations of performance enhancing drug use by international cycling champion. (2010-2015)
- Representation of Alaska Native Tribe in federal grand jury fraud investigation examining allegations of misuse of federal funds. (2011-2013)
- Representation of multi-national corporation in environmental investigation pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (2010-2011)
- Representation of multiple healthcare clinics in connection with civil OIG and criminal DOJ investigations. (2010-present)
Admitted to Practice
-
Washington, 1985
-
New York, 1983
-
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1985
-
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2011
-
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, 1986
-
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 1984
-
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 2009
-
U.S. Tax Court, 2010
Education
-
J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 1982
- Order of the Coif
-
B.A., Political Science, Washington State University, 1978, summa cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Recognition
-
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Health Care Litigation, 2017-present; in Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Commercial Litigation, 2020-present
- Selected to "Washington Super Lawyers" in Criminal Defense, Thomson Reuters, 2013-2024
Background
-
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Washington, Seattle, 2001-2010
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, Western District of Washington, Seattle, 1985-2001
- Assistant District Attorney, New York County, New York, N.Y., 1982-1985
- Counsel, Budget Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., 1981-1982