Overview
Dwight Draughon defends corporations and individuals in white-collar criminal cases and government investigations, focusing on matters related to public corruption, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), and fraud. He also assists companies in internal investigations and has experience working with clients in the higher education and K–12 industries. In addition to representing clients in white-collar defense and government investigations matters, Dwight helps clients navigate civil litigation cases, particularly those headed to trial.
Dwight brings a confident and creative approach to his practice, skillfully conducting depositions, client interviews, and meetings with government officials. Clients benefit from his impressive trial experience gained during his four-year tenure as an Assistant US Attorney for the District of Maryland.
While serving as an Assistant US Attorney, Dwight tried five jury trials, including a seven-day trial with more than 30 witnesses, and secured verdicts in each of them. He also was responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases involving wire, bank, and procurement fraud, public corruption, hate crimes, firearm trafficking, and numerous other federal offenses. He also acted as the US Attorney’s Office civil rights coordinator, investigating criminal violations of civil rights.
Additionally, Dwight is highly active in pro bono work and serves the firm in various leadership roles, including Hiring Partner and Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee.
In 2023, Dwight was selected as a member of the National Bar Association’s “40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocate” list.
- District of Columbia
- New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- US District Court, District of Maryland
- US Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- Hon. George J. Hazel, US District Court, District of Maryland, 2015-16
- J.D., Howard University School of Law, 2014
- M.A., American University, 2011, Education
- A.B., Princeton University, 2009, History
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
- Acted as lead counsel for a university in response to a Department of Education Emergency action and fine, negotiating a resolution that reduced the fine by over 75%.
- Served as investigative counsel on the bipartisan congressional task force investigating the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump.
- Acted as lead counsel and obtained a post-indictment Deferred Prosecution Agreement for a client federally charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud.
- Acted as lead counsel and obtained a declination for a client being investigated for bribery of a public official and other related federal charges.
- Represented inventor and his company Coda Development s.r.o in securing $65 million jury verdict in trade secrets case against Goodyear Rubber and Tire Company involving self-inflating tire technology.
- Part of the Steptoe team that secured a mid-trial Rule 29 acquittal for a businessman accused of bribing a former Pennsylvania Treasurer with campaign contributions, in a 79-count honest services bribery and money laundering case tried in federal court in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
- Represented bitcoin ATM company and CEO in DOJ criminal investigation. The government declined to pursue charges.
Speaking Engagements
- Government Investigations, General Counsel (GC) Bootcamp, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Virtual CLE Program, November 13, 2024
News & Publications
Client Alerts
Universities Face Full Funding Freezes Amid Trump Administration Demands
April 25, 2025
By: Patrick F. Linehan, Alex Wolf, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Tyler Evans, Hafsa W. Tout, Emma Howard
Client Alerts
Department of Energy Imposes 15% Cap on Indirect Research Costs for All Higher Education Grants
April 22, 2025
By: Patrick F. Linehan, Tyler Evans, Alex Wolf, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Lillian Stevens
Client Alerts
Navigating the New Landscape: Increased ICE Enforcement and Its Impact on Campus Communities
March 26, 2025
By: Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Alex Wolf, Brittney Denley
Client Alerts
Administration Dismantles Department of Education
March 25, 2025
By: Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Karima Maloney, Ryan P. Poscablo, Alex Wolf, Brittney Denley
Client Alerts
States Sue Over Department of Education's Workforce Reduction Plan
March 19, 2025
By: Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Ryan P. Poscablo, Alex Wolf, Ciara Davis, Brittney Denley
Client Alerts
March 18, 2025
By: Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Michelle Kallen, Patrick F. Linehan, Karima Maloney, Ryan P. Poscablo, Alex Wolf, Brittney Denley, Lillian Stevens, Mahogane Reed
Client Alerts
Update: Court Expands Injunction Scope in Anti-DEI Executive Orders Case
March 12, 2025
Client Alerts
March 11, 2025
By: Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Patrick F. Linehan, Alex Wolf, Lillian Stevens
Client Alerts
President Trump’s Federal Grant Freeze and Higher Education
February 28, 2025
By: Brittney Denley, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Evelyn Hudson, Patrick F. Linehan, Alex Wolf, Lillian Stevens
Resources
Client Alerts
FCPA/Anti-Corruption Developments: 2022 Year in Review
February 24, 2023
By: Iris E. Bennett
Events
Webinars
Adapting to Sweeping Changes in Higher Education
April 22, 2025
Speakers: Ryan P. Poscablo, Dwight J. Draughon, Jr., Tyler Evans, Alex Wolf, Patrick F. Linehan, Matt Lahey
Rachel Pereira
Noteworthy
- The National Black Lawyers, Washington, DC, 2024 National Black Lawyers Top 100
- National Bar Association, 2023 National Bar Association’s 40 Under 40 Nation's Best Advocate
Previous Employment
- Assistant US Attorney, US Attorney's Office, District of Maryland (2018–22)
- Corps Member, Teach for America, Washington, DC
Professional Affiliations
- Achievement Preparatory Academy PCS, Board Chair
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- DC Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, White Collar Crime Committee member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2023 Fellow
- National Bar Association