Fred Petti is an experienced trial lawyer whose practice focuses on criminal and regulatory defense, internal corporate investigations, and business litigation.  A former Assistant United States Attorney in both the Districts of Arizona and Oregon, he has extensive experience in representing individuals and businesses in high profile criminal and regulatory matters.  Mr. Petti has also filed suit on behalf of governments and businesses seeking to recover damages sustained as the result of the fraudulent activity of others.  Finally, he has represented state and tribal governments as a “special prosecutor” when they found it necessary to seek outside counsel.

Mr. Petti received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University (B.A., History 1980), his masters degree from Northern Arizona university (M.A., History), and his law degree from the University of Arizona (J.D. 1987).

Representative Cases:

• Mr. Petti has successfully represented both state and tribal officials in connection with government investigations and prosecutions.  (see Thomas v. Schneider, 212 Arizona.  292, 130 P. 3d 991 (Ariz. App. 2006)).
• Mr. Petti successfully represented the CFO of a publicly traded company being investigated for alleged federal securities fraud and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
• Mr. Petti successfully sued the state of California for negotiating in bad faith regarding a gaming compact with a California Indian tribe.
• Mr. Petti successfully represented a tribal government seeking damages from an international law firm stemming from the Jack Abramoff matter.
• Mr. Petti successfully represented an international brokerage firm seeking to recover under its fidelity bond as a result of employee fraud.
• Mr. Petti represented a state agency in its efforts to deny state licensing to an individual it deemed unfit.  (see Simms v. Napolitano, 205 Ariz. 500, 73 P.3d 631 (Ariz. App. 2003)).

Professional Activities:

Mr. Petti is licensed to practice in Arizona and Oregon state and federal courts and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He is also a member of the American Bar    Association’s White Collar Crime Committee.

Publications:

Co-Author, "Reflections on Mecham Impeachment," Arizona Attorney, September 2008 

Co-Author, “Offensive Use of Motions in Limine,” Trial Evidence Journal, Volume 15, Number Two (Winter 2007).

Author, “Historical Rights Were Hard-Fought,” Arizona Attorney, January 2005.

Co-Author, “Seeking Attorney’s Fees in Criminal Cases,” Arizona Attorney, April 2001.

Special Recognitions:

Mr. Petti is listed in the 2008 addition of Chambers USA America’s Leading Business Lawyers ©, Copyright 2008, by Chambers and Partners Legal Publication in the category of White Collar Crime and Governmental Investigations.