Aloke S. Chakravarty

Partner

303.634.2121

People•Aloke S. Chakravarty

Aloke Chakravarty is the co-chair of Snell & Wilmer's investigations, government enforcement and white- collar protection practice group, and the firm’s cybersecurity, data protection, and privacy practice. Al regularly conducts internal investigations and represents companies and individuals in a wide variety of matters relating to federal and state criminal, civil, and regulatory enforcement. Al also counsels regarding the full life cycle of enterprise risks associated with data protection issues and cybersecurity, including before, during and after a data breach or other cyber-incidents or corporate crises. Al assists clients nationwide in preparing for and responding to crises and solving complicated legal issues.

Before joining Snell & Wilmer in 2018, Al spent 20 years as a state, federal, and international investigator, prosecutor, and trial lawyer. As a federal prosecutor, he responded to, investigated, and prosecuted the Boston Marathon bombing case, among others.

Al has made numerous appearances in national media and speaks frequently on the Boston Marathon bombing case, crisis response, the limits of free speech, privacy, and security. He understands international, state regulatory, and law enforcement priorities, having held positions as an international prosecutor for a United Nations tribunal, an attorney for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and as an Assistant District Attorney and Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts.

Al has handled several high-profile matters, including a nationally followed financial crime prosecution and a seminal prosecution of internet propagandists, and he also participated in the response and investigation of the Times Square attempted bombing. Al was a national leader in cross-government initiatives to develop community dialogue to protect civil liberties in the face of government national security enforcement activities. Through his government career, scholarly and teaching experience, and in private practice, Aloke has also developed a niche in privacy law, in addition to his investigations and enforcement practice, and he is a certified information privacy professional in the United States (International Association of Privacy Professionals).

Investigations and Government Enforcement - General

Defended defense contractor charged with federal felonies.
Defended federal agent accused of wrongdoing.
Represented individual suspected of unauthorized access of computer device by Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Represented former professional tennis player in international law enforcement investigation into match-fixing.
Defended CEO of company in fraud case charged in Northern District of California.
Represented executives in COVID-19 pandemic related criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Represented executive of COVID-19 pandemic related criminal investigation conducted by the FBI.
Representing executive of technology company related to criminal investigation conducted by U.S. Department of Justice.
Representing former executive of technology company related to criminal investigation conducted by Southern District of California.
Represented various companies as liaison to law enforcement in criminal and cyber matters.
Represented individuals and companies in SEC investigations and subpoena response of public companies and broker-dealers.
Represented individuals and companies in DOJ investigations and subpoena response in various districts, including the District of Massachusetts, District of Colorado, District of Arizona, All Districts of California, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of Virginia, District of Utah, and Northern District of Illinois.
Represented company in securities and mail fraud investigation of cryptocurrency by U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of California.
Represented businessman in nearly $1B Ponzi scheme investigation by U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of California.
Represented personnel benefits company in telephone based social engineering fraud investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Represented cannabis company in internal investigation involving potential financial fraud.
Represented non-profit organization in internal investigation facing parallel government investigation.
Representing non-profit organization in internal investigation facing parallel government investigation.
Representing solar company in internal investigation into sales and financing practices.
Defended developer charged with state Securities violations in Colorado.
Represented company under investigation by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Represented cannabis-related company in investigation by United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.
Represented company to respond to subpoena in fraud investigation conducted by United States Attorney's Office for District of Arizona.
Represented financial services provider in response to subpoena in tax investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division.
Represented importer in disputes of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Counseled on U.S. sanctions and regulatory issues for companies dealing Russia and China.
Counseled multiple companies on export regulations.

Life Science

Conducted multiple internal investigations for medical providers and companies regarding False Claim Act allegations and Civil Investigative Demands.
Conducted internal investigation for medical diagnostics company regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) allegations.
Conducted internal investigation of FDA-regulated company.
Represented medical services company in False Claims Act investigation by U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of New York.
Represented biotechnology company in internal investigation of insider espionage threat.
Represented medical services provider in unauthorized access investigation conducted by HHS-OCR.
Representing medical device manufacturer in Business Email Compromise involving dozens of domestic and international jurisdictions.
Represented medical services company in anti-competitive behavior investigation by Nevada Attorney General.
Counseled medical services company in anti-competitive behavior investigation in New Hampshire.

Charter and Higher Education

Conducted internal investigation for charter school management company regarding misappropriation of public fund allegations.
Represented charter school founders during audit of charter school management organization regarding public integrity and accountability allegations.
Representing Higher Education Institution in False Claims Act case brought on behalf of the United States in the District of Massachusetts.
Represented technical schools organization in investigation by Massachusetts.
Represented student in administrative discipline investigation by Boston University .
Representing national charter school network service provider in reorganization and delivery of services to schools and charter management organizations.

Financial Services and Cryptocurrency

Represented witness in crypto investigation conducted by U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York.
Represented crypto currency exchange in negotiation with crypto debtor.
Represented crypto currency creditor in negotiation with crypto debtor.
Representing crypto currency creditor in negotiation with secondary claims market makers in crypto reorganization.
Represented retail bank in liaison with police and prosecutor’s office and accountholder in misappropriation of funds matter in California.
Represented retail bank in liaison with prosecutor’s office and witness preparation in age-related fraud case in Utah.
Represented retail bank in investigation PPP fraud investigation conducted by District of Colorado.
Representing International cryptocurrency exchange for U.S. government information requests.
Represented cryptocurrency developer in criminal investigation including grand jury proceedings conducted by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.
Represented cryptocurrency relay to respond to subpoena in criminal investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Represented investor in cryptocurrency fund dispute.
Representing cryptocurrency account holder in dispute regarding sale of claims.

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Counseled dozens of companies in multiple industries on cybersecurity risk management, information security, cyber incident response planning.
Counseled companies in multiple industries in data protection and tailored compliance policies.
Counseled companies in multiple industries on international data transfer issues.
Counseled on data privacy compliance for Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms and applications procedures for General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act/California Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA) and state data privacy statutes.
Advised companies on cybersecurity and data protection in multiple mergers and acquisitions.
Advised multiple companies with respect to cybersecurity and data privacy issues in supply chain and vendor contracting.
Represented 20+ companies in multiple industries in data breach and cyber incident investigations.
Represented public companies in complex cyber incidents involving foreign nation-state actors.
Represented Defense Contractor in cyber-incident with DFARS reporting requirements.
Represented medical services companies in data security incidents involving Protected Health Information.
Counseled foreign clients on U.S. government access to data for trans-Atlantic data transfer analysis.
Counseled Health Care business in ethical hacker bug bounty situation.

Civil Disputes

Represented companies in disputes with vendors with respect to unauthorized access to data.
Represented business owner in business divorce.
Represented cryptocurrency investors in cryptocurrency initiatives.
Represented companies in Qui Tam investigations by numerous Relators.
Represented employers at Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Represented non-profit organizations in compliance and civil disputes.

Emory University School of Law (J.D.)
Johns Hopkins University (B.A., Biology and Political Science, with honors)

Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System
- Law Firm Council
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Legal Advisory Committee
South Asian Bar Association
- Greater Boston Chapter
- Colorado Chapter
  - Advisory Board
Emory University School of Law
- Board of Advisors
International Association of Privacy Professionals
- Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
American Law Institute
- Restatement of the Law Third, Torts: Defamation and Privacy, Adviser

''The Department of Justice Is Building a Data Security Protection and Enforcement Program,'' Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 15, 2024)
''Department of Justice Announces Groundbreaking Whistleblower Program in its Ongoing Effort to Incentive Voluntary Self Disclosures,'' Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 7, 2024)
"NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0: 4 Steps to Get Started," Quoted, Dark Reading (March 1, 2024)
"NIST Cyber Framework 2.0: Doubling Down on Governance, Expanding Applicability," Quoted, Legaltech News, (March 1, 2024)
"Biden Administration Unveils Data Privacy Executive Order," Quoted, Dark Reading, (February 29, 2024)
“Biden Order Bars Data Broker Sale of Americans’ Sensitive Data to Adversaries,” Quoted, CSO Online (February 28, 2024)
"Why Some Aging Spies Won't Walk Out of U.S. prisons, Long After The Cold War," Quoted, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (February 17, 2024)
"Meta, Apple, Now OpenAI: Is Ireland Really a ‘Business Friendly’ Data Privacy Beachhead?," Quoted, Legaltech News (February 16, 2024)
"Legal Tech's Predictions for Emerging Technologies, Tech Costs & Market Consolidation in 2024," Quoted, Legaltech News (January 17, 2024)
"Legal Tech's Predictions for E-Discovery in 2024," Quoted, Legaltech News (January 16, 2024)
"Legal Tech's Milestones for Cybersecurity & Data Privacy in 2023," Quoted, Legaltech News (December 16, 2023)
"Garland Elevates Appellate Unit He Used in Oklahoma Bombing Case," Quoted, Bloomberg Law (August 14, 2023)
"SEC Cyber Reporting Rule Presents Compliance, Insurance Complexities," Quoted, Business Insurance (August 8, 2023)
''DOJ Establishes New "Disruptive Technology Strike Force" to Address Sharing of Sharing Sensitive Technology with Adversaries,'' Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (August 3, 2023)
"European Commission Adopts Adequacy Decision for Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 12, 2023)
"Unpacking the Boston Marathon Bombing & Trial," Panelist, South Asian Bar Association of North America (July 21, 2023)
"European Commission Adopts Adequacy Decision for Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 12, 2023)
“Senate FISA Hearing Spotlights International Compliance Concerns,” Quoted, The National Law Journal (June 13, 2023)
"2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy: Businesses Are Asked To Bear More of the Burden," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 3, 2023)
"Federal Trade Commission Finalizes Order Holding Drizly, LLC and Its CEO Accountable for Data Security Failures," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (January 24, 2023)
"DOJ Revisits its Corporate Criminal Enforcement Policy Offering Companies Additional Incentives to Self-Disclose, Cooperate, and Remediate," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (January 24, 2023)
"Privacy Litigation To Watch In 2023," Quoted, Law360 (January 2, 2023)
"Employee and B2B Exemptions Under CCPA Expire January 1, 2023: What Employers Should Be Thinking About To Prepare," Co-Author, SW Legal Alert (September 29, 2022)
"Privacy Policy To Watch For The Rest Of 2022," Quoted, Law360 (July 29, 2022)
"S upreme Court Clarifies That Medical Providers Cannot Be Convicted of Illegal Drug Distribution if Prosecutors Don't Prove the Intent to Issue Unauthorized Scripts ," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 11, 2022)
"Cybersecurity Update," Presenter, Snell& Wilmer Virtual CLE Series (June 16, 2022)
"The Data Privacy Hurdles That Could Upend Musk's Twitter," Quoted, Global Data Review (April 29, 2022)
"Colorado Privacy Act," Presenter, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Infrastructure Committee Meeting (November 19, 2021)
"Cybersecurity & Privacy Policy to Watch for Rest of 2021," Quoted, Law360 (July 30, 2021)
"Breach Ruling Shows Importance of Legal Advice Early After Cyber Incident," Quoted, SC Media (July 29, 2021)
"Colorado Passes the Colorado Privacy Act Which Could Expand Obligations of Businesses to Colorado Consumers and Regulators," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 12, 2021)
"What Schrems Are Made Of: The European Commission Adopts New Standard Contractual Clauses for International Data Transfers Covered by GDPR," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Global Connection Newsletter (June 23, 2021)
“Government Action and Internal Investigations Under a New Administration,” Co-Presenter, ACC and Snell & Wilmer Webinar (June 9, 2021)
"Government May Lean on Private Sector to Stop Next Critical Hack," Quoted, Law360 (May 11, 2021)
"Prosecuting the Boston Marathon Bombings Case," Presenter, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Virtual Event, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (April 16, 2021)
"SolarWinds Sanctions Far from Last Word on Russian Hacks," Quoted, Law360 (April 15, 2021)
"Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Considerations for Colorado Businesses," Presenter, Denver Emerging Business Seminar Series (March 17, 2021)
"Proposal Would Let Foreign Gov'ts Be Sued for Cyberattacks," Quoted, Law360 (March 8, 2021)
"Water Plant Hack Underscores Utilities' Glaring IT Risks," Quoted, Law360 (March 5, 2021)
"The Great Privacy Race? Apple, Facebook Pitch Data Transparency," Quoted, Compliance Week (February 8, 2021)
"Supply Chain Hit Spurs Companies to Rethink Vendor Relationships," Quoted, Bloomberg Law (February 4, 2021)
"Democratic Control Could Break Gridlock on US Privacy Bill," Quoted, Law360 (January 13, 2021)
"California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and Employment," Presenter, 2020 Employment Law Tool Kit Three-Part Webinar Series: Session 2: California-Specific Issues (November 12, 2020)
“Biden Term Could Spell Sanctions, Boost Data Transfer Deal,” Quoted, Law360 (November 8, 2020)
"U.S.-Business Relations in the Wake of COVID-19," Panelist, Snell & Wilmer and US-Vietnam Council Webinar (October 14, 2020)
"Cyber Security Attacks: What's in Your Plan?" Panelist, Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Webinar (September 30, 2020)
“Awareness and Training of Security Threats for Technology Companies,” Episode Host, CalCurrent Podcast (September 10, 2020)
"Data Privacy, Cybersecurity, Technology, Ethics and Business Lawyers," Panelist, CBA-CLE Annual Business Law Institute (September 8, 2020)
“California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Today,” Presenter, iSymposium, Utah State Bar Cyberlaw Section (July 30, 2020)
"Privacy Leaders Circle," Panelist, Truyo Virtual Discussion (July 8, 2020)
"International Best Practices in the New Economy," Panelist, Lex Mundi Roundtable (June 23, 2020)
"Managing Business Needs During (and Beyond) a Pandemic," Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Webinar (June 3, 2020)
"Beware of Emerging Scams – CARES Act Financial Scams and Fraud Targeting Small Businesses," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 29, 2020)
"Empowering College Students Against Extremism," Guest Speaker, Parents for Peace Webinar (April 20, 2020)
"Hospital and Healthcare Company Ransomware Attacks Increasing During COVID-19 Pandemic," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 8, 2020)
"Cybersecurity Risks Increasing During COVID-19 Pandemic," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 27, 2020)
"COVID-19 and The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): California Attorney General's Office Will Not Delay Enforcement Amidst Pandemic Concerns," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 27, 2020)
"Managing Business Needs During a Pandemic," Co-Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Teleconference (March 24, 2020)
"Cyber Criminals Using COVID-19 Fears to Increase Malicious Online Activity: What You Should Know," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 13, 2020)
"Complex Crime Scenes," Interviewed, FBI Training Video (February 2020)
"BREXIT's Impact on Applicability of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Global Connection Newsletter (February 18, 2020)
"Data Security Has Become a Pressing Issue for the CRE Sector," Quoted, National Real Estate Investor (February 12, 2020)
"Equifax Hack Shows China's Expanding Hunger for Data," Quoted, Law360 (February 11, 2020)
"Can I Trust You? Managing the Legal Risks of Sharing Data," Presenter, CMAA National Conference (September 24, 2019)
“Motive Matters in the Modern Trial: Lessons from the Boston Marathon Bombing Case," Presenter, Lex Mundi Cross Border Investigations: Business Crimes and Compliance Group Global Meeting, Dublin, Ireland (September 12, 2019)
“Trials in the U.S. and Europe,” Co-Presenter, Lex Mundi Cross Border Investigations: Business Crimes and Compliance Group Global Meeting, Dublin, Ireland (September 12, 2019)
"Insight Into the DOJ’s Updated Guidance on Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs," Co-Author, Corporate Counsel (July 24, 2019)
"What’s Next in Customs and Border Breach Investigation?" Co-Author, Bloomberg Law (July 12, 2019)
"British Airways' GDPR Fine Puts Price Tag on 'Poor' Defenses," Quoted, Law360 (July 8, 2019)
"Privacy & Cybersecurity Policy to Watch in 2nd Half of 2019," Quoted, Law360 (July 3, 2019)
"Quest, Customs Breaches Show Risks of Farming Out Data," Quoted, Law360 (June 21, 2019)
"Monitoring Medical Device Security," Quoted, Law Week Colorado (May 27, 2019)
"Parents Who Cop to College Admissions Scam May Stay Out Of Jail," Quoted, Bloomberg (March 19, 2019)
"The Cyber/Physical Convergence is Accelerating -- So are the Risks," Quoted, Forbes (February 27, 2019)
"Will government shutdown impact security at Super Bowl LIII?," Quoted, USA Today (January 21, 2019)
"Litigation Holds and the GDPR," Co-Author, Today's General Counsel (September 27, 2018)
"Midyear Report: Top Privacy Developments Of 2018, Part 1," Quoted, Law360 (July 23, 2018)
"For Mueller, pushing to finish parts of Russia probe, question of American involvement remains," Quoted, The Washington Post (July 14, 2018)
"Supreme Court: Your Digital Location is Protected by the Constitution," Quoted, Computerworld (June 22, 2018)
"Appeals Court Checks FTC Authority in Cybersecurity Actions," Quoted, Law Week Colorado (June 18, 2018)
"Facebook Data Pacts Could Spur GDPR-Like Protections," Quoted, Law360 (June 12, 2018)
"Breaking Down the DOJ's Enforcement and Corporate Leniency Policies," Co-Author, Denver Business Journal (June 11, 2018)
"Snell & Wilmer Rolls Out Interactive Data Breach Map," Co-Author, S&W Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Law Blog (June 6, 2018)
"What to Know About Complying with GDPR," Quoted, Law360 (May 31, 2018)
"The EU General Data Protection Regulation," Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 22, 2018)
"Boston Bomber Prosecutor Finds a Big Law Refuge in the Rockies," Profiled, The American Lawyer (May 7, 2018)
"Prosecutor of Boston Marathon Bomber Joins Snell & Wilmer," Profiled, Law360 (May 2, 2018)
"Boston Marathon Bombing Prosecutor Joins Snell & Wilmer," Profiled, Law Week Colorado (May 1, 2018)
"Why the Boston Marathon Bombing Prosecutor is Joining this Denver Law Office," Profiled, Denver Business Journal (May 1, 2018)
"A Call for Ethics and Civility in Governance and Litigation: Changing Culture and Increasing Accountability," Author, 4 Emory Law Corporate Governance and Accountability Journal 37 (2017)
"Evolution of The Trial Advocate: Quintilian to Quanta in the Contemporary Courtroom," Donahue Lecture, Suffolk Law Review, 50 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 45 (2017)
"To Catch A Bomber," Profiled, Emory Magazine (Spring 2016)
"Q&A with Boston Marathon bombing prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty 97L," Profiled, Emory Law News Center (May 31, 2016)
"Time for a Global Legal Scheme for Terrorism Risk Insurance," Author, Boston University School of Law International Law Journal, Current Topics (2015)
"Boston Bomb Prosecutor Guides Terror Case, Seeks Dialogue," Profiled, Bloomberg News (April 29, 2013)
"Seeking cooperation, but also after convictions," Profiled, Washington Post (August 20, 2011)
"Feeding Humanity, Starving Terror," Author, 32 W. New Eng. L. Rev. 295 (2010)
"Problem Solving in International Law," Lecturer in Law, Boston University School of Law (2013-2014)
Guest Lecturer, Harvard Law School, various courses and presentations on cybercrime, government lawyering, anti-terrorism prosecution and national security law (2007-2009, 2014, 2016, 2017)

Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2023-2024)
South Asian Bar Association Cornerstone Award (2021)
Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, U.S. Department of Justice (2016)
Director's Award, Federal Bureau of Investigations (2016)
Director's Award, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (2013)
Exceptional Service Award, National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys (2013)
Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service, U.S. Department of Justice (2010)
Access to Justice Award, Massachusetts Bar Association (2009)
South Asian Bar Association - GB Member of the Year (2008)
Commendation, Drug Enforcement Administration (2005)
Certificate for Special Achievement, Director of Federal Bureau of Investigations (2005)
Special Achievement Commendation, U.S. Department of Justice (2004)

Leadership Denver
- Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation (Class of 2019-2020)
Parents for Peace
- Advisory Board
Invitational Speaker on Public Service, National Security, Crisis Response, Civil Rights and Trial Advocacy

U.S. Department of Justice, District of Massachusetts, Office of the United States Attorney, Assistant United States Attorney, Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC) Coordinator, Civil Rights Enforcement Team, Crisis Management Coordinator, International Affairs Coordinator (2005-2018)
United Nations, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Office of the Prosecutor, Trial Attorney (2010)
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Intelligence Policy and Review, Founding Member of Attorney General's FISA Task Force (2004-2005)
U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Assistant General Counsel (2003-2005)
Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General: Criminal Bureau (2000-2003)
Office of the Middlesex District Attorney, Assistant District Attorney (1998-2000)

Colorado
District of Columbia
Massachusetts

Supreme Court of Colorado
Supreme Court of Massachusetts
United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit
United States District Court, District of Colorado
United States District Court, District of Massachusetts
United States Supreme Court

08/04/2023

Snell & Wilmer Advises Federal Software Provider Integrated Data Services in Its Sale to Private Equity Firm Arlington Capital Partners

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Aloke S. Chakravarty

Representative Experience

Investigations and Government Enforcement - General

Life Science

Charter and Higher Education

Financial Services and Cryptocurrency

Cybersecurity and Data Protection

Civil Disputes

Education

Professional Memberships and Activities

Representative Presentations and Publications

Professional Recognition and Awards

Community Involvement

Previous Professional Experience

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions