People

Todd F. Braunstein

Counsel

Braunstein, Todd F.
Todd Braunstein is a counsel in the Litigation/Controversy Department, and a member of the Investigations and Criminal Litigation Practice Group. He joined the firm in 2011, following stints as an Assistant US Attorney (AUSA), White House advisor, Senate lawyer and private litigator.

Practice

As an AUSA, Mr. Braunstein investigated and prosecuted a wide range of federal crimes, including health care fraud and other health care-related crimes; bribery and kickbacks in programs receiving federal funds; obstruction of federal auditors; embezzlement of labor union assets; various wire fraud and mail fraud schemes; narcotics trafficking and violent crime. In private practice, Mr. Braunstein has represented clients in investigations conducted by the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission and committees in both houses of Congress, among others.

During his service in the White House and Senate, Mr. Braunstein developed expertise in areas such as immigration; the USA Patriot Act and other national security issues; the False Claims Act and employment discrimination. 

Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Braunstein served as an AUSA in the Economic Crimes Unit of the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Highlights of his tenure included the conviction, following a jury trial, of a police officer who provided information to a drug trafficker about undercover law enforcement operations. Mr. Braunstein also investigated and prosecuted health insurance executives accused of engaging in a sprawling scheme to defraud numerous other health insurance companies.

Before joining the US Attorney’s Office, Mr. Braunstein worked in the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. Mr. Braunstein served as the principal day-to-day White House policy advisor on issues within his portfolio, which included a wide range of legal policy issues, with a focus on crime, immigration and civil litigation. He briefed the President, Chief of Staff and other top White House officials on key issues, and worked with leadership in the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Labor, Commerce and Health and Human Services, among others. Mr. Braunstein also served as Counsel for Crime and Terrorism to the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Braunstein began his career as a litigation associate at another law firm in Washington DC.

Publications & News

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April 25, 2012

DC Circuit Requires Fairness Hearing Where Relator Objects to False Claims Act Settlement

The Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled last week that the United States cannot settle a qui tam action over a relator's objection without a judicial finding that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under the circumstances. The decision will potentially complicate efforts by the government and defendants to resolve cases under the False Claims Act, especially those with little merit or damage to the government.

Professional Activities

Mr. Braunstein is a member of the Executive Committee of the Federalist Society’s Criminal Law Practice Group. He is also a member of the Graduate Executive Board of The Harvard Crimson. In 2010, Mr. Braunstein participated in the American Council on Germany’s Young Leader Program. He is also active in the Jewish National Fund.

Practices

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Education

JD, cum laude, Harvard Law School, 2001, Commentaries Chair, Harvard Law Review

BA, Economics, magna cum laude, Harvard University, 1997, President, The Harvard Crimson

Bar Admissions

District of Columbia

New York