White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Rondald J. Friedman White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Rondald J. Friedman

Ronald J. Friedman, Shareholder

DIRECT: 206-224-8009
MAIN: 206-223-1313

LEGAL ASSISTANT: Sandy Watkins

Overview

Ron Friedman’s practice focuses on regulatory and healthcare compliance, white collar criminal defense, pharmacy law, complex litigation, and professional license defense. Ron provides a robust defense in federal and state proceedings. In addition, Ron regularly serves as local counsel assisting national law firms with legal issues in the Pacific Northwest.

Ron entered private practice after a distinguished career with the United States Department of Justice, serving 22 years as a federal prosecutor in Seattle where he gained exposure to a variety of legal issues. Ron prosecuted hundreds of cases, supervised federal grand juries for 6 years, and successfully tried many cases. Ron is responsible for developing multiple highly successful and nationally recognized law enforcement programs, including Operation Stolen Valor focusing on armed services fraud, and Operation Midnight Express focusing on drug diversion.

Ron’s private practice is very diverse, and he enjoys helping people navigate difficult and challenging problems. He handles a variety of complex regulatory, civil, and criminal matters on behalf of individuals and businesses. Ron regularly assists clients with compliance issues and advises and defends clients facing government investigations of all types, civil and criminal.  Ron represents individuals and companies in a variety of contexts, including clients who are the target or subject of regulatory investigations, clients wishing to implement compliance and due diligence protocols, clients who are witnesses in grand jury proceedings, and clients accused of criminal wrongdoing at all stages of proceedings.  In criminal matters, Ron has helped many clients successfully avoid charges and fines entirely, reduced their exposure, or obtained dismissal of charges.  While the results achieved in any case may vary, persistence, reasonableness, and commitment to principle have been key to this success.

Ron has extensive experience in healthcare and pharmaceutical compliance and licensing. Ron represents many companies at all levels of the healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution chain, as well as food and medical device manufacturers and distributors.  In addition, Ron assists healthcare providers and practitioners with successful resolution of regulatory issues, including disciplinary proceedings. In addition, Ron has substantial experience defending civil qui tam and false claims actions and responding to financial fraud and business practice issues and investigations.

Representative Matters

  • Represented regional drug chain in False Claims Act action brought by U.S. Department of Justice. Matter settled for 4% of government’s demand.
  • Represented healthcare diagnostic laboratory in HIPAA compliance action; no charges brought.
  • Represented national drug manufacturer in civil action by state Attorney General alleging negligence, public nuisance, violations of state consumer protection act.
  • Represented the president of a hospital services corporation in federal criminal case alleging securities fraud and market manipulation
  • Represented national retail drug chain in DEA compliance investigation
  • Represented national drug wholesaler in board of pharmacy compliance investigation
  • Represented a major league sports franchise in DEA regulatory investigation; no charges brought
  • Represented pharmacist in dispute with Kansas Board of Pharmacy challenging an order revoking the license of the pharmacist. The order was vacated in its entirety and dismissed.
  • Represented the president of an environmental inspection company in federal criminal case alleging conspiracy to defraud and violations of Clean Air Act; all felony charges dismissed
  • Represented local compounding pharmacy in Florida Board of Pharmacy investigation resulting from FDA inspection. No charges brought.
  • Represented national drug distributor in Board of Pharmacy compliance proceedings
  • Represented specialty pharmacy in PBM dispute. Complete recovery made
  • Represented clinic-based pharmacy in FDA compliance investigation. Successfully resolved
  • Represented compounding pharmacy in FDA compliance investigation. Successfully resolved
  • Represented national drug manufacturer in federal civil action relating to alleged false claims
  • Represented national pharmacy retail chain in DEA compliance investigation
  • Represented corporate employee in “insider trading” investigation; no charges brought following federal investigation
  • Represented a retail drug store chain and pharmacists in DEA and state regulatory investigation alleging noncompliance and records violations
  • Represented a national food manufacturer in FDA action seeking a recall; recall averted
  • Represented mega-church in federal criminal investigation; no charges brought
  • Represented an aircraft parts supplier in due diligence FCPA investigation
  • Represented national engineering firm in Qui Tam civil fraud investigation; fraud charges dismissed
  • Represented CFO of a national labor corporation in whistleblower investigation alleging accounting fraud
  • Represented CFO of a national engineering company in Department of Defense fraud investigation; no charges brought
  • Represented national drug distributor in DEA criminal investigation related to 21 CFR compliance. No charges brought.
  • Represented closed door hospice and specialty pharmacies with variety of business, regulatory, and licensing issues
  • Represented several out of state pharmacies, including compounding and specialty pharmacies in regulatory board of pharmacy proceedings in their states
  • Represented numerous physicians in responding to Medical Quality Assurance Commission investigations and developing due diligence protocols
  • Represented medical trauma training center in DEA regulatory compliance investigation
  • Represented physician in criminal investigation alleging unlawful inducement/kickbacks. No charges brought
  • Represented physician in criminal investigation alleging unlawful distribution of a controlled
  • substance. No charges brought.
  • Represented multiple pain clinics and physicians in DEA and state board compliance investigations across the United States
  • Represented CEO of an oil drilling company conducting business overseas in a criminal case alleging wire fraud and tax evasion
  • Represented a chain of health care clinics and a corporate officer in an FDA investigation alleging unlawful importation of a misbranded drug, sale of an unapproved new drug and false statements
  • Represented a national medical product wholesaler in an FDA investigation alleging misbranding and improper sale of merchandise. Recall averted; product deemed compliant
  • Represented a national environmental company in an investigation alleging violations of the Clean Water Act, RCRA and FIFRA; no charges brought following federal investigation
  • Represented a Washington State political party official in a federal criminal investigation alleging fraud and false statement; federal indictment dismissed
  • Represented a national drug wholesaler and distributor in an FDA criminal investigation alleging the sale of stolen merchandise; no charges brought following lengthy DOJ investigation
  • Represented a financial investment advisor in a federal criminal case alleging bank fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and unlawful conversion; no charges brought
  • Represented a public school fiscal officer in an investigation alleging theft and public corruption; no charges brought
  • Represented a seafood processing company in a State investigation alleging criminal violations of fisheries law
  • Represented a media representative in an FBI investigation alleging unauthorized disclosure of classified information
  • Represented pharmacies, pharmaceutical, and health care companies in licensing matters and regulatory compliance

Presentations & Publications

Awards & Unique Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America®, White Collar Criminal Defense (2011-2023)
  • “Washington Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers Magazine®, White Collar Criminal Defense (2013-2014, 2017-2023)
  • Director’s Award, United States Attorney General—for excellence in a case involving foreign corporations conducting unauthorized business in the U.S. in violation of U.S. law.

  • J.D., Harvard Law School
    • Massachusetts Public Defenders
    • Harvard Defenders
  • B.A., with highest distinction, University of Virginia

  • Washington State Bar
  • District of Columbia Bar

  • Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Holocaust Center for Humanity, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting ideals of tolerance, and preventing hate, bigotry and genocide (2011-Present)
  • Communications Committee, American Society for Pharmacy Law (2016-present)
  • Member, American Pharmacists Association (APhA) (2018-Present)
  • Member, Washington State Pharmacy Association (2012-Present)
  • Academic Peer Reviewer, California Pharmacist
  • Member, Washington State Attorney General’s Prescription Drug Advisory Group (2010-2012)
  • Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) (2010-Present)
  • Faculty, Trial Advocacy, University of Washington School of Law (1994-2005)
  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Martin L.C. Feldman, U.S. District Judge, ED, Louisiana