Overview

Nick Klinefeldt has a national practice helping clients respond to government investigations, conduct internal investigations and defend against litigation with the government. He is a former presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney.

Government Investigations

As the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, Nick ran grand jury investigations, prosecuted white collar criminal cases, oversaw the office’s cases and investigations, and managed relationships with law enforcement agencies as the district's chief federal law enforcement officer. Nick uses his government and private practice experience to assist clients in responding to grand jury and other government investigations. His practice has included cases involving health care fraud, the False Claims Act, financial fraud, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, food & agriculture, insurance fraud, tax fraud, immigration fraud, extortion and money laundering, congressional investigations, and matters against state attorneys general as well as drugs and violent crime.

Internal Investigations

Nick uses his experience conducting investigations for the government and defending clients against government investigations to conduct internal investigations for clients. He helps clients assess exposure, manage risk and, when necessary, prepare reports to address public concerns. In addition to private clients, Nick has conducted internal investigations on behalf of a state attorney general, a state supreme court and a state political party. Nick is a recipient of the FBI’s Distinguished Service Award.

Health Care

Nick co-leads the litigation section of the firm’s national health and life sciences industry group. He has represented clients across the country in matters concerning the federal health care fraud state, the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law, the False Claims Act, and other types of health care investigations. His clients have included medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, health care executives and sale representatives, and physicians.

Litigation

Nick has successfully handled trials as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney and in both federal and state court. Nick also has successfully handled appeals at the state and federal levels.

Services & Industries

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Iowa

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa

Clerkships

Massachusetts Court of Appeals, Hon. Christopher J. Armstrong, 2002-2003
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Hon. Robert W. Pratt, 2000-2002

Education

University of Iowa College of Law
J.D. with distinction, Journal of Gender, Race & Justice (note and comment editor) (2000)

University of Iowa
B.A. in Political Science, with honors (1995)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • U.S. Investment, M&A, Litigation, Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
    Panelist, Zhejiang Lawyers Association, Shanghai, July 2018
  • Anatomy of a Government Investigation
    Iowa State Bar Association, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, November 3, 2017
  • Responding to White Collar Investigations
    Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Des Moines, November 2, 2017
  • Internal Corporate Investigations
    Iowa State Bar Association, Des Moines, September 22, 2017
  • Current Issues in Federal Criminal Law
    Panelist, Iowa State Bar Association Federal Practice Seminar, Des Moines, December 16, 2016
  • Ethical Considerations for In-House Counsel (Crisis Management)
    Iowa State Bar Association Corporate Counsel Institute, Des Moines, November 17, 2016
  • Lessons Learned as U.S. Attorney
    Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Annual Seminar, Des Moines, November 4, 2016
  • Federal Sentencing
    Iowa State Bar Association Bridge the Gap Seminar, West Des Moines, September 9, 2016
  • In-House Legal Ethics Panel
    Moderator, FaegreBD M&A Conference, August 4, 2016
  • DOJ’s New Enforcement Landscape from the Perspective of a Former U.S. Attorney
    Fourth Annual ACC/Drake University Corporate Counsel Forum, Des Moines, June 3, 2016
  • From Peanuts to Prison: Criminal Liability for Food Contamination
    Co-moderator, 2016 Food & Agriculture National Conference, Faegre Baker Daniels, Indianapolis, May 24, 2016
  • Six Months Later: What Does the DOJ's Yates Memo Mean to You?
    Panelist, Faegre Baker Daniels, Minneapolis, March 23, 2016
  • Differences Between State and Federal Criminal Law
    Co-Presenter, Polk County Bar Association Seminar, Des Moines, November 21, 2014
  • The Federal Criminal System: From Arraignment to Trial
    Co-Presenter, Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers Seminar, Des Moines, February 21, 2013

 
 

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association — White Collar Crime Subcommittee
  • Iowa State Bar Association — Federal Practice Committee
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Iowa Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Iowa Legal Aid Foundation Board
  • Department of Justice — Attorney General Advisory Subcommittee on White Collar Crime, 2009-15; Attorney General Advisory Subcommittee on Criminal Practice, 2009-15 (Co-Chair)
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa — Criminal Justice Act panel

Honors

  • Best Lawyers® — Criminal Defense - White Collar, 2020-23 (Lawyer of the Year, 2023)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation — Distinguished Service Award
  • Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021
  • Faegre Baker Daniels — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016
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