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Lionel André

202.417.8465

Lionel André helps companies and corporate executives who are facing the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and other agency investigations and enforcement actions. He understands the mindset of prosecutors and SEC investigators because he was in leadership positions with both the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the SEC.

An avid trial attorney who enjoys building his clients’ cases and telling their stories to the jury, Lionel also knows that often the best outcomes are achieved outside the courtroom. He frequently takes the time to meet with prosecutors and investigators in person and understands that more gets done face-to-face than over the phone, email, or Zoom.

Lionel is also proud to be SECIL Law’s chief of diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We want to be a firm that doesn’t just check off boxes,” he says, noting that a range of perspectives and experience leads to creative solutions for clients.

A strong track record

During his thirteen years with the SEC, Lionel rose from a staff attorney to assistant chief litigation counsel. With a focus on seeing matters through to completion, he created a new unit for the enforcement of judgments. Among the many high-profile matters he handled at the SEC, an insider trading case he investigated involving an investment banking CEO and an adult movie actress even became the inspiration for a “Law & Order” episode.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Lionel worked on a range of cases in the D.C. Superior Court as well as D.C.’s federal courts. During his first years with the office, he recalls back-to-back trials and a “grueling” schedule that laid a solid foundation for him as a thorough litigator. That thoroughness led to a track record of decisions on his cases being upheld on appeal.

During his sixteen-year tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Lionel served as Senior Litigation Counsel and Health Care Fraud Coordinator. His role included an extensive trial practice and supervising investigative teams for federal and local law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A trusted advisor

Today, Lionel applies the same attention to detail to defending clients in matters involving securities fraud, public corruption, healthcare fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, and more.

As a prosecutor, Lionel was always grateful to hear from victims and their families thanking him for helping to bring justice. Now, he appreciates the opportunity to be a skilled advocate and trusted advisor through difficult times in his clients’ lives.

Lionel applies the same creativity and empathy to activities outside the office. He is the vice-chair of School Talk, a nonprofit that focuses on being a voice for D.C.-area children of all abilities. The organization provides innovative outlets for youth, like recording, photography, and art studios. He also is on the board of Interfaith Action for Human Rights, which helps individuals in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia prison systems with rehabilitation and reentry efforts.

EDUCATION
  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
  • B.S., Psychology and African American studies, Syracuse University
BAR ADMISSIONS
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
HONORS & RECOGNITIONS
  • U.S. Attorney’s Office Special Achievement Award (2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2008)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Commendation (2016), awarded for the successful prosecution of the largest healthcare fraud case in District of Columbia history
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Commendation (2012), awarded for outstanding prosecutorial assistance on local public corruption matters
  • Securities and Exchange Commission Director’s Award (2000)
Civic Involvement
  • Chairman, Interfaith Action for Human Rights
  • Vice-Chair, SchoolTalk
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lionel served for more than thirty years as a federal prosecutor and with the Securities and Exchange Commission, where he became the Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel in the Division of Enforcement. In private practice, he also was a shareholder for a prominent boutique in the financial services sector.

Professional activities & memberships
  • Member, D.C. Bar Health Law Section Steering Committee
  • Designated Master, William B. Bryant American Inn of Court
  • Executive Board, Association of Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Columbia
  • Member, National Bar Association
  • National Black Prosecutors Association