Caitlin Poe is a trial lawyer and regulatory adviser who represents criminal and civil clients, with a particular focus on representing clients adverse to the state or federal government. Her experience includes criminal and civil cases involving securities regulation, intellectual property, consumer protection, environmental compliance, and allegations of health care fraud and financial fraud. Caitlin also represents business entities and individuals in connection with government and internal investigations, and she is skilled in managing complex civil litigation matters in federal and business court.
Opposing the government, whether in a civil or criminal context, is unlike any other litigation. All such matters must be considered bet-the-company litigation. For individuals, their freedom may be on the line. Caitlin works with prosecutors and civil enforcement attorneys in an effort to terminate investigations or to negotiate favorable civil settlements and criminal pleas. When resolution by consent is not possible, Caitlin has experience in trying cases in front of judges and juries across the state. Her background in the criminal, civil and enforcement arenas allows her to provide clients with a full spectrum of advice about strategic avenues and potential outcomes.
Caitlin also assists individuals and entities in responding to subpoenas from government agencies or grand juries, identifying and producing documents, preparing for interviews or testimony and working with clients to identify and address any issues or potential exposure through this process.
Caitlin has been named among North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” for Criminal Law by Business North Carolina (2019-present). She was named to the publication’s “Young Guns” list in 2019 and 2020. She has also been listed in North Carolina Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2018-2022) and named to Benchmark Litigation's 40 and Under Hot List (2018-present). Caitlin is also listed among the “Ones to Watch” by Best Lawyers® (2021-present) and recognized by Chambers USA for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations as an "Associate to Watch" (2021) and "Up and Coming" (2022).
Before entering private practice, Caitlin clerked for the Honorable James C. Dever, III, of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Law and Politics. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Georgia.
Experience
THE CASES MENTIONED BELOW ARE ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE MATTERS HANDLED BY MS. POE. CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. NOT ALL CASE RESULTS ARE MENTIONED BELOW. PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME.
Federal Criminal Prosecutions
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Tried case on behalf of an individual accused of bank fraud and related charges resulting in a full acquittal by a jury on all 27 counts.
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Tried case on behalf of individual accused of money laundering and obstruction, resulting in a full acquittal by a jury on all 6 counts.
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Tried case on behalf of an individual accused of narcotics and firearms offenses resulting in an acquittal by a jury on the most serious charge.
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Represented multiple individuals charged with criminal violations of the Economic Espionage Act, resulting in below-Guidelines sentences for each.
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Represented a client charged with government contracting fraud, who received a below-Guidelines sentence.
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Prepared clients for interviews and grand jury testimony in an investigation of a public company for alleged environmental violations, resulting in no charges against any client.
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Advised an individual charged with immigration fraud.
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Represented multiple health care providers in connection with national Medicare-Medicaid fraud enforcement efforts.
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Represented a client charged with federal firearms offenses, resulting in a dismissal of all charges by the government.
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Trials of multiple criminal cases to verdict.
Civil Enforcement and Forfeiture
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Tried case on behalf of corporate clients resulting in judgment worth $1.2 billion in relief.
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Represented a health care provider facing federal False Claims Act claims, resulting in partial summary judgment and a civil settlement below the government’s initial demand.
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Negotiated resolution of state and federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback claims for a local pharmacy chain, leading to a settlement for a fraction of government’s initial demand.
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Represented an individual in response to an SEC subpoena for documents and testimony, resulting in a letter declining to pursue an enforcement action.
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Litigated multiple matters with state Attorney General’s office, including cases involving novel issues of securities law, consumer protection, and fraud.
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Responded to a Drug Enforcement Agency administrative forfeiture, resulting in the full return of assets whose seizure was challenged.
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Litigated several novel issues of law in federal pre-trial asset forfeiture regime.
Investigations and Responses
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Counseled a professional accused of a violation of the Controlled Substances Act, resulting in an administrative settlement.
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Prepared a client for an investigatory interview in a public corruption investigation, resulting in no charges against the client.
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Represented individual military contractor facing debarment proceedings resulting in withdrawal of debarment action and no adverse actions.
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Conducted an internal investigation regarding a potential securities violation, updated the company's compliance policies, and trained the board of a public company on compliance matters.
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Assisted a client in responding to a grand jury subpoena in a campaign finance investigation.
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Conducted an internal investigation into potential financial crimes in a nonprofit organization.
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Prepared a risk analysis for a company with an overseas manufacturing facility and developed a Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance policy program for the company.
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Assisted clients with responses to SEC and grand jury subpoenas.
