John S. West

Partner

Executive Committee Member

Richmond
Business Phone: 804.697.1269
Business Fax: 804.697.1339

john.west@troutmansanders.com

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Mr. West’s practice focuses primarily on providing advice and support to individuals and corporations responding to regulatory, civil and criminal investigations.  He has extensive experience in conducting internal corporate investigations, representing clients before state and federal grand juries or agency investigations, and handling federal and state litigation.  He has recently handled numerous cases for clients who under investigation for government contracting fraud, healthcare fraud, SEC violations, false claims and money laundering crimes.  In addition, he has significant experience in the areas of alcohol beverage licensing matters, local government boundary matters, and excessive force and related claims.

Representative Experience 

Government Investigations
Represented national manufacturer of military equipment in government contracting fraud investigation conducted by the Department of Criminal Investigative Services.

Conducted internal investigation on behalf of international export company in connection with embezzlement by an employee of more than $1 million.

Represented government contractor in defense of Federal False Claims Act violations.

Represented owner of international freight forwarding company in criminal investigation of illegal gratuities provided to military transportation officials relating to award of shipping business. 

Represented national medical supply company under investigation for multi-million dollar Medicare fraud as a result of a qui tam action initiated by former employees. 

Conducted an internal investigation of whistle-blower claims made pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley. 

Conducted internal investigation of $1.5 million fraud committed by high-ranking company official.  Investigation resulted in conviction of official by federal authorities.

Civil and Administrative
Represented localities and individual law enforcement officers in defense of wrongful death suits based on claims of excessive force.

Represented religious institutions and clergy in responding to child sexual abuse claims. 

Represented beer and wine manufacturers, importers and national restaurant and convenience store chains before the Virginia Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control in licensing and disciplinary actions. 

Represented numerous licensed professionals before the Virginia Board of Medicine, Virginia Board of Realtors, Virginia Bar Association, Judicial Inquiry & Review Commission, and Virginia APELSCIDLA Board in licensing and disciplinary actions.

Represented numerous Virginia municipalities before the Virginia Commission on Local Government and Virginia state courts in annexation and boundary-change litigation.

Presentations and Speaking Engagements 
“When The Government Pays Your Client A Visit: How To Protect Your Client And Yourself,” Virginia Shippers Association, May 2006

Publications
Co-author with Megan Rahman, "Gray v. Rhoads: Doing Indirectly What You Can't Do Directly," Virginia Lawyer, December 2004

Co-author with Carter Glass, IV, “Revenue Sharing: An Important Economic Development Tool For Virginia Localities,” Virginia Lawyer, April 2000

Other Distinctions
Named to Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite in Criminal law (2006, 2007 and 2008).

Named as a Virginia Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense: White Collar (2007, 2008).

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Education

  • University of Virginia, J.D., 1992
  • Furman University, B.A., 1987
    Phi Beta Kappa


Bar Admissions

  • Virginia


Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia


Memberships

  • Virginia Bar Association (Member, Local Government Law and Criminal Law Sections)
  • Associate Member, Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc.