John J. Rice

John J. Rice


Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP

Recognized since 2021

San Diego, California

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

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John Rice, a former federal prosecutor, represents both individuals and corporations in a wide range of complex white collar matters, including SEC enforcement actions, anti-money laundering and bank secrecy act compliance matters, and foreign corrupt practices act investigations.

Mr. Rice is an experienced litigator who has tried numerous cases to verdict, including dozens of federal jury trials, and argued cases before federal appellate courts. His practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations and complex civil litigation.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Rice spent more than 15 years with the U.S. Department of Justice, most recently as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of California specializing in public corruption cases. In addition to his work in the Southern District of California, he served in the organized crime and terrorism section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and served as branch chief for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern Mariana Islands. He has received numerous awards from various federal law enforcement organizations during his career.

Mr. Rice served a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Judith N. Keep, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California from 1987 to 1988.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

  • Represented executive in Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act investigation which led to declination of charges
  • Represented accountant in tax and currency structuring investigation
  • Represented financial professional in insider trading matter including trial
  • Represented doctors in Medicare and anti-kickback enforcement matters
  • Represented numerous individuals in SEC enforcement investigations
  • Represented company in FINRA matter
  • Represented individual in OCC enforcement action
  • Represented company in investigation involving the DOJ, FDA and Customs
  • Represented individuals and class members in complex securities litigation
  • Conducted internal investigation involving allegations of theft of intellectual property and unfair competition
  • Represented individual in insider trading and foreign corrupt practices investigation
  • Represented company in employee and contractual dispute and related arbitration
  • Represented family and estate in civil rights action

TEACHING

  • Adjunct Professor, University of San Diego School of Law, Federal Criminal Law (2007 to present)
  • Lecturer, various law enforcement and corporate governance seminars

PUBLICATIONS

  • FamilyLawyerMagazine.com, Child Abduction Cases Under the Hague Convention, July 31, 2018

Contact & Links
Location
  • 401 West A Street, Suite 2600
    San Diego, CA 92101
Education
  • University of Virginia, J.D., graduated 1987
  • Harvard University, A.B., cum laude, graduated 1983
Affiliations
  • Jackie Robinson Family YMCA - Board of Managers
  • Kids at Heart Tutoring - Mentor
  • San Diego County Bar Association - Member
  • State Bar of California - Member
Court Admissions
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of California (1989)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (1996)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (1993)

Higgs Fletcher & Mack LLP
Headquarters: San Diego, California

28 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

13 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Awards:
  • Best Lawyers in America© (2021)
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)

Publications

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