Justin Herdman, a former United States Attorney, is a trial lawyer who represents businesses and individuals involved in high-stakes government investigations, criminal litigation, and civil actions. Justin's practice is focused on obtaining favorable results in matters arising from alleged violations of state and federal laws, including fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and the False Claims Act (FCA). He has successfully tried numerous cases in state and federal courts throughout his two decades in public service and private practice.
Prior to rejoining Jones Day in 2021, Justin served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Northern District of Ohio. Justin was nationally recognized for his effort in developing strategic responses to controlled substances, terrorism, and violent crime. While U.S. Attorney, Justin served as vice chair of the Attorney General's Advisory Committee (AGAC), where he provided national-level guidance on the management and operations of the Justice Department. Justin was also named co-chair of the Attorney General's Prescription Interdiction and Litigation Task Force and was chair of AGAC's Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee.
Justin also maintains an active pro bono practice. In 2022, his trial work with the Ohio Innocence Project led to the acquittal of a wrongfully convicted man who had spent 15 years in state prison.
Justin previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney prosecuting national security offenses, including terrorism, money laundering, and export control violations. He is a former assistant district attorney in New York City and currently serves as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
Experience
Additional Speaking Engagements
- February 17, 2015
Paris Terror Attacks: The Aftermath, Case Western Reserve University School of Law - December 12, 2014
Investigating, Prosecuting and Defending White Collar Criminal Cases, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association Biennial Institute on White Collar Crime - December 2, 2014
Government Investigations / SEC Enforcement Trends; Attorney-Client Privilege Issues in Internal Investigations; and False Claims Act Enforcement, Jones Day CLE Academy 2014 - October 22, 2014
Probes and Bribes: Practitioners’ Perspectives on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Case Western Reserve University School of Law - December 3, 2013
International Investigations in the Age of the Whistleblower: Views from Around the World, Jones Day CLE Academy 2013 - December 3, 2013
A Civil Action: The Civil Implications of a Criminal Investigation, Jones Day CLE Academy 2013 - November 20, 2013
Presentation on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts Akron Scanlon-Bell Inn of Court - November 20, 2013
RR Donnelley SEC Hot Topics Institute
Speaking Engagements Prior to Jones Day
May 15, 2020
Predatory Housing Practices as a Result of COVID-19, Toledo Fair Housing Center and Legal Aid of Western Ohio
March 4, 2020
"Enforcement Action — Reducing the Supply," Department of Justice's National Opioid Summit, Washington, D.C
February 25, 2020
"Federal Law Enforcement Priorities and Challenges in the Northern District of Ohio," Harvard Law School Association of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio
February 18, 2020
"Protecting Your Client and Saving Lives: What Every Practitioner Needs to Know About Domestic Violence Charges and Firearms," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Cleveland, Ohio
December 8, 2019
"The Opioid Epidemic — Where Are We Now?: The Individual Legally," Case Western Reserve University, Siegal Lifelong Learning Program, Beachwood, Ohio
December 3, 2019
"Threat Team Oahu," Department of Justice's Symposium on Cutting Edge Tactics for Threat Assessment, Mitigation, Disruption, and Early Engagement, Washington, D.C.
November 20, 2019
"Elder Justice Conference — Remarks,” Cleveland State University, Marshall School of Law, Cleveland, Ohio
October 17, 2019
"Federal prosecutions of firearms offenses by domestic abusers," United States Attorney's Conference on Domestic Violence: New Approaches, Remaining Challenges, Cleveland, Ohio
October 11, 2019
"Fighting Back: A Legal Framework to Defeating the Opioid Crisis — Public Policy Panel," University of Toledo School of Law, Toledo, Ohio
August 7, 2019
"Panel: The Prescription Interdiction & Litigation (PIL) Task Force," DOJ Opioid Coordinators' Conference, Columbia, South Carolina
- Harvard University (J.D. 2001); University of Glasgow (M.Phil. 1998); Ohio University (B.A. summa cum laude 1996)
- Ohio and New York
- United States Attorney, Northern District of Ohio (2017-2021) and Assistant United States Attorney (2006-2013), U.S. Department of Justice; Intelligence Officer, U.S. Navy Reserve (2003-2010); Judge Advocate Officer, U.S. Air Force Reserve (2010-present); and Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney's Office (2001-2005)
Recipient of awards and commendations from the Director of the FBI, Deputy Attorney General of the United States, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Manhattan District Attorney
Received The Judge Richard M. Markus Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching at Case Western University School of Law
- Russian