David F. Axelrod – Columbus, OH

High-Stakes White Collar Defense

David F. Axelrod is a formidable white-collar criminal defense attorney and a partner at Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP in Columbus, Ohio. With a career that reads like a legal thriller, David Axelrod brings the intensity and insight of a former federal prosecutor to every case he handles. Before entering private practice, he served as an Assistant United States Attorney and a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division. He was also a Special Prosecutor for the State of Ohio, where he led the largest ”blue sky” securities fraud case in the state’s history. This background gives him an unparalleled advantage: he knows exactly how the government builds its cases, and more importantly, how to dismantle them. Based in the Huntington Center in downtown Columbus, David Axelrod represents individuals and corporations facing serious criminal allegations, regulatory investigations, and complex civil litigation.

Protecting Clients from Federal Investigations

David Axelrod’s practice is focused on defending clients against the full weight of federal and state power. He specializes in White Collar Criminal Defense, handling cases involving healthcare fraud, tax evasion, securities fraud, and public corruption. He is an expert on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and frequently advises companies on internal investigations and compliance to prevent prosecution before it starts. In the realm of Tax Controversy, he defends taxpayers against IRS audits and criminal tax investigations. His civil litigation practice involves high-stakes business disputes where reputations and fortunes are on the line. If you are a business executive or public official looking to hire a lawyer who can navigate the treacherous waters of a grand jury investigation, David Axelrod is the seasoned defender you need.

• White Collar Defense: Representing clients in federal investigations involving fraud, embezzlement, and bribery.
• Tax Controversy: Defending against criminal tax charges and civil IRS disputes.
• Internal Investigations: Conducting confidential inquiries for corporations into alleged employee misconduct.
• Regulatory Enforcement: Advocating for clients before the SEC, DOJ, and other government agencies.
• Business Litigation: resolving complex commercial disputes and civil fraud claims.

A Recognized Leader in the Bar

David Axelrod’s reputation for excellence is widely recognized. He has been selected to Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for over a decade. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and actively serves the legal community through the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section. His approach is strategic, discreet, and relentless. He understands that for his clients, there is no margin for error. Whether negotiating a non-prosecution agreement or fighting for an acquittal at trial, David Axelrod brings decades of high-level experience to the table. For a Columbus criminal defense attorney with the sophistication to handle federal cases, he is a top-tier choice.