Biography
John Richilano was a trial lawyer for the Colorado State Public Defender from 1976 through 1980. He was an assistant Federal Defender for the District of Colorado from 1981 to 1985. After a stint with a boutique litigation firm, he began his own practice in 1989, which built on his substantial criminal trial experience until it matured into one of the most sophisticated white collar criminal practices in the Rocky Mountain Region. He has also emphasized complex commercial litigation and attorney discipline defense.
John was lead local counsel for the defense in United States v. Joseph P. Nacchio, an insider trading case against the former CEO and co-chairman of Qwest Communications International, Inc. He has defended a host of white collar investigations and indictments, including environmental crimes, bank fraud, securities fraud, and wire fraud relating to the energy markets. He has tried some 75 court and jury trials in state and federal court.
John has served as the president of the Faculty of Federal Advocates (1999-2001), the Chair of the U.S. District Court Standing Committee on Conduct (1993-1996), the Chair of the Board of Editors for The Colorado Lawyer (1992-1994), and the President of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (1983-1984). He has lectured and published on criminal law and legal ethics.
John is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He carries a 1 ranking with Chambers and Partners USA in white collar criminal defense. He is the recipient of Best Lawyers 2010 and 2017 Lawyer of the Year in White Collar Criminal Defense, and is listed in Best Lawyers in America for white collar and commercial litigation. He has had an “av” Martindale-Hubbell rating for over 20 years. And, he has been listed in Colorado SuperLawyers for five years running, including top 50 vote getter for the entire state for four out of those five years.
- Has successfully defended health care professionals in a variety of criminal investigations and prosecutions, both state and federal, alleging violations of the Controlled Substances Act and federal health care program rules.
- Successfully defended a transactions lawyer whose client file was subpoenaed by a state grand jury, obtaining a published opinion by the Colorado Supreme Court establishing a higher standard of proof for the crime/fraud exception to the attorney-client privilege.
- Successfully defended an insider trading target in an SEC investigation, resulting in no criminal charges or civil enforcement action being brought.
- Has represented investors, innovators, and advisors in the burgeoning crypto currency space, defending SEC and grand jury subpoenas.