Jean-Jacques (J) Cabou
- Firmwide Co-Chair, White Collar & Investigations Practice
J is a litigator known for his creative strategies and winning results on behalf of companies, government institutions, and individuals in their most consequential and high-stakes legal matters.
A nationally recognized advocate and counselor, J Cabou defends individuals and corporate entities against criminal and other government investigations. He is a noted authority on state and federal forfeiture, seizure, and racketeering laws. J also defends clients in matters involving classified information, the state secrets privilege, and national security. An experienced commercial litigator, J represents clients in complex civil litigation matters, especially in highly regulated industries.
J frequently represents clients before appellate courts, including the Arizona Supreme Court, Supreme Court of the United States, Arizona Court of Appeals, and other federal and state courts of appeals as well as courts of last resort. As lead counsel, he has won numerous appellate victories, including several recent high-profile matters before the Arizona Supreme Court. J is known throughout Arizona as a leading advocate in the state constitutional law and, for nearly two decades, has represented clients in some of Arizona’s most important constitutional cases on civil and criminal issues.
J is the firmwide co-chair of the White Collar & Investigations practice. He is also one of the founders and leaders of Perkins Coie’s nationwide, multidisciplinary Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group. J is regarded as one the most experienced lawyers in the United States on digital currency matters. He defends individuals and businesses in this industry from investigations by federal and state law enforcement agencies. He also advises numerous digital currency clients on compliance and regulatory risk mitigation strategies.
A lifelong competitive athlete, J is a member of the firm's Arts, Entertainment & Sports industry group and is among a small group of lawyers nationwide who have advised athletes and team staff in matters involving eligibility for collegiate or Olympic teams. He has also represented athletes in investigations and arbitrations involving the NCAA and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
J served two terms on the board of directors for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
For more than 10 years, J has been acknowledged by numerous client and peer review organizations, including Chambers USA.
Education & Credentials
Education
- The University of Chicago Law School, J.D., 2003
- University of Virginia, B.A., Government and Foreign Affairs, with high honors, Phi Beta Kappa, 1999
Bar and Court Admissions
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Arizona
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New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Related Employment
- Osborn Maledon, P.A., Phoenix, AZ, Partner, 2010-2012; Associate, 2004-2010
- City of Chicago, IL, Office of the Mayor, Assistant to the Mayor for Public Safety, 2005-2006
Clerkships
- Hon. Mary Schroeder, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Additional Languages
- Spanish
- French
Professional Recognition
Named “Criminal Defense: White-Collar Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America, 2022, 2024
Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, 2011-2024
Named a "Southwest Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, 2012-2017; Listed as "Southwest Super Lawyer," 2022-2024
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2011-2025
Chicago Police Department Award for Outstanding Contributions to Public Safety, 2005-2006
Impact
Professional Leadership
- American Law Institute (ALI), Member, 2016
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Board of Directors, 2012-2018
- Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Board of Governors, 2009-2011
- Arizona State Bar, Criminal Justice Section Executive Council, 2009-2011
- American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
- Governor's Citizen's Traffic Stop Advisory Board
Community Involvement
- Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
- Arizona State University Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Adjunct Professor, 2007-2011
- The University of Chicago Law School, Lecturer in Law, 2005-2006
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Government Investigations and Criminal Trial Defense
- Lead counsel on behalf of a public company in an investigation under the Clean Water Act involving discharge of pollutants to waters of the United States. Investigation was closed without charges or action against the company.
- Lead counsel on behalf of a petroleum storage company in defense of criminal charges brought following a fuel spill into waters of the United States. Charges were dismissed and the matter was resolved civilly.
- Lead counsel in a multiyear prosecution by the U.S. Department of Justice National Security Division involving the Classified Information Procedures Act and alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act. Indictment was dismissed with prejudice after court ordered disclosure of exculpatory classified information that the government had long withheld. Case resulted in multiple reported decisions regarding classified information discovery and the state secrets privilege. United States v. Turi,143 F.Supp.3d 916 (D. Ariz. Oct. 2, 2015); United States v. Turi, 103 F.Supp.3d 1068 (D. Ariz Jun. 16, 2015).
- Lead counsel on behalf of a CEO charged in parallel actions by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice with securities and wire fraud.
- Lead counsel in defense of a licensed money transmission company in a money laundering investigation by the Southern District of New York. Investigation was closed without charges.
- Lead counsel on behalf of a large governmental insurance entity in responding to ongoing parallel criminal and regulatory investigations into its business and financial practices. Investigation was closed without charges.
- Successfully defended a public official from allegations of sexual misconduct brought during the final weeks of his campaign for office. Prosecution declined to file charges and client won his election.
- Led the briefing and argument on behalf of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission in an investigation by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office into the Commission’s open meeting law practices. Judge declared the investigation to be unconstitutional and entered summary judgment on all counts in favor of the Commission.
- Led the defense of an individual against civil forfeiture and criminal racketeering charges relating to internet gambling. Alone among over a dozen other defendants, the client had his charges dismissed and his property returned following extensive trial and appellate court practice.
- Represented a prominent law firm in responding to an investigation by a state attorney general into its client services practices. Investigation was closed without further proceedings.
- Lead counsel on behalf of multiple individual defendants in responding to investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, state attorneys general and other state prosecutors and regulatory agencies.
Selected Appellate Experience
- Lead counsel in a successful original jurisdiction action at the Arizona Supreme Court affirming a charter city’s constitutional right to control its municipal-owned property. State ex rel. Brnovich v. City of Phoenix, 249 Ariz. 239, 241, 468 P.3d 1200, 1202 (2020)
- Lead counsel in a successful original jurisdiction action at the Arizona Supreme Court affirming a charter city’s constitutional right to hold municipal elections free from interference by the state legislature. State ex rel. Brnovich v. City of Tucson, 251 Ariz. 45, 484 P.3d 624, 625 (2021)
- Lead counsel in successful appeals at the Arizona Supreme Court and Arizona Court of Appeals in federal constitutional challenge to Arizona’s constitutional restrictions on bail. Simpson v. Miller, 241 Ariz. 341, 345, 387 P.3d 1270, 1274 (2017)
- Lead counsel before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States in United States v. Mohammad El-Mezain and Elashi v. United States (the Holy Land Foundation case) on behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as amicus curiae. United States v. El-Mezain, 664 F.3d 467 (5th Cir. 2011).
- Lead counsel in the Supreme Court of the United States for Stephen E. May in May v. Arizona.
- Lead counsel before the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in challenge to procedures enacted in the wake of integrity failures at the Massachusetts State Crime Lab on behalf of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as amicus curiae. Bridgeman v. District Attorney for Suffolk Dist., 30 N.E.3d 806 (Mass. 2015).
- Lead counsel before the Arizona Court of Appeals in challenging the unconstitutional felony conviction of a veteran police officer. The court of appeals vacated the conviction, holding that the trial judge deprived the officer of his constitutional right to present a defense. Arizona v. Aguilera, 1-CA-CR 09-0371, 2010 WL 2926574, (Ariz. Ct. App. Jul. 27, 2010).
- Lead counsel before the Arizona Court of Appeals in overturning the prison sentence of former construction CEO who was wrongfully imprisoned on white-collar charges. The Arizona Court of Appeals vacated the sentence, and the client was freed from prison. State v. Townsend, 2012 WL 3306960 (Ariz. Ct. App. Aug. 14, 2002).
- Lead counsel before the Arizona Supreme Court on behalf of LUCHA-AZ in a case defending the constitutionality of a voter-enacted initiative measure. Chamber of Commerce et al v. Hon. Kiley/State, et al.
- Co-counsel before the Arizona Supreme Court on behalf of the League of Arizona Cities and Towns in challenge to the constitutionality of a law threatening the independence of cities and towns in Arizona.
Selected Internal Investigations
- Led the internal investigation of a public resource extraction company into its compliance with environmental regulations.
- Led the internal investigation and regulatory defense of a public manufacturing company regarding its compliance with environmental regulations.
- Led the internal investigation of a police department into financial improprieties and official misconduct by the department’s chief, deputy chief, and command staff.
- Led the internal investigation of an asset management and electronic controls company regarding a breach of its credit card data security.
Selected Civil Litigation Experience
- Lead counsel for large agricultural company in defense of a suit challenging its right to operate its sole growing facility. Suit was dismissed with prejudice and opposing counsel was sanctioned for frivolous litigation.
- Lead counsel in cross-border dispute and litigation with multimillion dollar Mexican agricultural exporter.
- Lead litigation counsel on behalf of alternative energy company in arbitration over significant solar project.