Craig M. Warner

• Obtained a complete plaintiff’s verdict and substantial judgment at summary judgment, including pre-and-post judgment interest, in a federal court against a Brazilian importer of a popular American beer after the importer refused to pay for $1.8 million in shipments.
• Represented registered investment advisors facing enforcement proceedings before FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission, successfully obtaining the outright dismissal of such enforcement actions by both FINRA and the SEC.
• Conducted internal investigations for hospitals and medical practices on Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute and False Claims Act allegations raised in qui tam litigation.
• Advised a Fortune 100 company applicant in the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division’s Corporate Leniency Program and the nearly two-year internal investigation that resulted. The matter was resolved when the Department closed its investigation.
• Obtained a substantial judgment as lead counsel in Texas state court on behalf of a supplier of essential energy industry products whose customers had failed to make prompt payment.
• As lead counsel for the State of Texas in a complex federal civil rights class action case, led a litigation team of eight attorneys and worked extensively with leaders in the Attorney General’s Office, Governor’s Office and Legislature to successfully secure a favorable settlement.

As an Assistant U.S. Attorney:

• Twice tried drug-syndicate kingpin cases to jury as lead counsel, resulting each time in conviction on all counts and a life sentence.
• Obtained convictions for bribery and illegal gratuities in a case involving an Army officer secretly receiving cash from Iraqi contractors during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
• Led a three-year interagency investigation involving multiple Title III wiretaps into an international syndicate, then secured the indictment and conviction of more than a dozen conspirators, including a prison official.
• One of three Department of Justice officials assigned to lead the interagency task force responsible for the investigation, apprehension and prosecution of serial killer Israel Keyes.
• As part of a small team, successfully obtained the closures of enforcement investigations from a number of finance industry entities facing investigation by the SEC and FINRA.
• Successfully represented the United States in five appeals before the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

As a Naval Prosecutor:

• Obtained the conviction of a senior officer for insurance fraud years after the fraud was complete.
• Obtained the conviction of a senior sailor as lead counsel at court martial for security clearance violations relating to the “SF-86” background form.

As Naval Defense Counsel:

• Obtained a complete acquittal at court martial for a Marine Corps staff sergeant charged with hazing, orders violations and dereliction of duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• Obtained the complete dismissal of aggravated sexual assault charges after a hotly litigated Article 32 preliminary hearing, successfully preventing referral of charges to court martial.
• As lead Naval Defense Counsel, obtained recommendations of “retention” for numerous Sailors and Marines facing Administrative Separation Boards, thereby preserving military careers and retirements.

• Commended by the Department of Justice for excellence in trial work during a “difficult” seven-day jury trial resulting in a successful conviction: “[Though] the evidence against [the defendant] was the weakest among all of the co-conspirators… AUSA Warner cross-examined the defendant and was able to elicit damaging testimony that made the defendant’s explanation for his presence at the scene implausible.”
• Awarded the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal for outstanding achievements as a naval prosecutor: “Inheriting a high-visibility child sex case that had stalled for 18 months, quickly compelled a favorable deal for the government through exceptional advocacy and unparalleled tenacity. Responsible for the successful prosecution of a [Lieutenant Commander] for insurance fraud, handling this sensitive case with aplomb.”
• Served as Deputy Regimental Judge Advocate – Detainee Operations with Regimental Combat Team – 6, United States Marine Corps, in Fallujah, Iraq in 2006 and 2007, earning the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Officer Warfare Qualification, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Eagle, Globe & Anchor Insignia, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, among other awards.
• Continuing military service as a reservist, qualified as an airborne paratrooper at the U.S. Army Airborne School, traveled to Africa to train indigenous militaries during Operation Flintlock 2017, and provided humanitarian relief during Hurricane Harvey.
• Qualified as an U.S. Army Airborne Paratrooper through service with the Texas Army National Guard in 2016. In a two-week exercise in Africa in 2017, trained hundreds of senior African military officers in the Law of Armed Conflict and Counterinsurgency.

• Texas Army National Guard
  • Major – Judge Advocate
• Dallas Bar Association
  • Litigation Section, Member
  • Criminal Section, Member
• St. Thomas More Society
  • Dallas Chapter, Member
• Christ the King Catholic Church
  • Kingsmen, Co-Chair, supporting Christ the King Catholic School
• Carecenter Ministries, a charity serving the poor in urban Dallas
  • Board of Directors

• “Force Majeure? More Like ‘Force Ma-Payment’: Dealing with Payment Excuses in the COVID-19 Era," Commercial Factor, co-author; October 27, 2021.
• "The Motion to Dismiss in Securities Class Action Practice – Fundamental Considerations for Corporate Officers and General Counsel," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; December 21, 2020.
• "Spotting the Red Flags: How to Protect Your Company from PPP Fraud Prosecution," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; December 17, 2020.
• "How To Obtain Critical Documents in a FINRA Arbitration," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; September 2, 2020.
• "Force Majeure – The Biggest Buzz Term of Litigation in a COVID-19 World," Bell Nunnally Client Alert, author; March 30, 2020.

• "The Paycheck Protection Program and Civil Enforcement: The False Claims Act, SBA Compliance and the SEC," Bell Nunnally Client Webinar, presenter; June 15, 2021.