Johnstone_Chris

Chris Johnstone

Johnstone_Chris

Chris Johnstone

Special Counsel

Palo Alto + 1 650 858 6147

Chris Johnstone is an experienced litigator focused on government investigations, litigation and trial work. As a resident of the firm’s Palo Alto office, Mr. Johnstone works with clients throughout Silicon Valley on issues at the intersection of law and technology.

Government Investigations

Mr. Johnstone defends clients facing investigations conducted by the SEC, DOJ, FINRA and state AGs. He has worked on matters focusing on financial reporting, insider trading, data incidents, data scraping, identity verification and competitive intelligence. Over the years, he has delivered presentations to regulators, C-suite executives and boards.

Litigation 

Mr. Johnstone has extensive experience litigating securities cases. He has served as defense counsel in three SEC enforcement actions, including one that resulted in a multi-week trial and complete defense victory on all claims. He also regularly litigates securities class actions in the Northern District of California.

Mr. Johnstone also litigates high-stakes antitrust cases. He served as co-lead counsel for a manufacturer of capacitors in class action and opt out cases with over $1 billion in alleged damages in the Northern District of California. He is currently serving as defense counsel for a financial institution in a purported class action alleging billions in damages.

Trial Work

Mr. Johnstone has played a key role on winning trial teams and brings that experience to all phases of litigation. He helped obtain an acquittal for a former foreign exchange (FX) trader charged with criminal violation of the antitrust laws (US v. Ramchandani). He also helped two former executives prevail on all 10 claims brought by the SEC (SEC v. Goldstone). More recently, he served as co-lead counsel on two different antitrust cases that settled favorably on the eve of trial.

Pro Bono & Firm Leadership

In his pro bono practice, Mr. Johnstone often represents individuals charged with federal crimes in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. He has obtained successful results for clients facing decades in prison. Mr. Johnstone serves on the Hiring Committee for the firm’s Northern California offices.

Experience

  • Investigations

    • Conducted an investigation of a major data breach on behalf of special committee of a technology company.
    • Conducted an investigation of whistleblower allegations concerning a company’s security and competitive intelligence practices on behalf of a special committee of a technology company.
    • Represented a healthcare company in parallel investigations by the DOJ and SEC concerning its disclosures to investors.
    • Represented a technology company in an SEC investigation into its initial public offering.
    • Represented a former BSA/AML officer in an investigation by the DOJ.
    • Represented an entertainment company in an investigation by the DOJ’s Antitrust Division and various state attorneys general.

  • Litigation

    • Represented a former FX trader in a criminal case brought by the DOJ’s Antitrust Division.
    • Represented the former CEO and CFO of a mortgage origination company an SEC enforcement action concerning the accounting of impaired assets.
    • Represented the CFO of a hardware company in an SEC enforcement action and parallel class action concerning the accounting of stock options.
    • Represented a technology company in a securities class action concerning its disclosures to investors.
    • Represented a technology company in an action seeking to enjoin the enforcement of a subpoena issued by a state attorney general.

  • Pro Bono Criminal Defense

    • Represented an individual charged with drug trafficking and conspiracy.
    • Represented an individual charged with drug trafficking, conspiracy and illegal reentry.   
    • Represented an individual charged with drug exportation and conspiracy to pass counterfeit foreign currency.   
    • Represented an individual charged with wire fraud.

Insights & News

View all of Chris's insights & news

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, University of Southern California Law School, 2004

      Editor, Southern California Law Review

    • BA, Public Policy Studies, Duke University, 2001

  • Admissions

    • California

  • Clerkships

    • The Hon. Shirley Wohl Kram, US District Court for the Southern District of New York, 2004 - 2006

Credentials

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