Justin C. Danilewitz draws upon his experience as a former federal prosecutor, and his defense of individuals and entities, to conduct internal investigations, zealously defend against civil and criminal enforcement actions, and respond to whistleblower complaints and false claims (qui tam) suits. An experienced trial lawyer, Justin succeeded in obtaining the dismissal of a 59-count criminal complaint – before trial, and after a lengthy preliminary hearing – against an energy company employee, after his cross-examination of the lead detective revealed critical failures in the government’s proof.
Justin is also an experienced appellate advocate and accomplished legal writer, having written appellate briefs on both criminal and civil issues, some before the U.S. Supreme Court. Together with his partner Chris Hall, Justin successfully led the briefing and oral argument in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court relating to a matter of international interest – the Pennsylvania Attorney General's grand jury investigation into the Catholic Church – resulting in two landmark precedential opinions in favor of their clients, protecting the constitutional right to reputation in Pennsylvania, and changing the nature of grand jury practice in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recognized Justin and Chris for their successful efforts in this matter with the prestigious Alan Jay Josel Award for Advocacy. More recently, in 2020, the government agreed after a demonstration of our defense to dismiss an indictment against a client with prejudice after the United States Attorney’s Office had improvidently indicted the client on charges of conspiracy, mail fraud, and theft of government funds.
Justin was named to The Legal Intelligencer's 2019 Power Players list.
