Alexander F. Porter
Partner
Alex Porter is a partner in the commercial litigation and the white collar, investigations, and government controversies practice groups. Alex has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in complex litigation and white‑collar matters. As a former federal prosecutor, Alex draws on his experience as a first‑chair trial lawyer to vigorously defend clients and obtain victories at every stage of litigation.
Alex represents clients in a broad range of industries, including the healthcare, media, technology, and financial services industries. Alex defends companies and individuals in civil and criminal investigations involving securities fraud, insider trading, healthcare fraud, kickbacks, bribery, and other white‑collar offenses. Alex represents clients in high‑stakes civil matters in federal and state court as well as in domestic and international arbitrations. He also has experience conducting internal investigations on behalf of corporations and nonprofit organizations.
Before joining DWT, Alex served as a federal prosecutor for eight years, most recently as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. In that role, Alex served as the Health Care Fraud Coordinator for the Central District of California. Before that, he served as a trial attorney with the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he prosecuted healthcare and securities fraud matters.
Alex draws on his experience directing multi-agency fraud investigations to effectively defend against government enforcement actions, including criminal investigations, state Attorney General actions, and alleged violations of the False Claims Act. For his work, Alex has been recognized by Best Lawyers for white‑collar defense in Los Angeles.
Practice Highlights
Government investigations
Possesses deep knowledge of government investigations involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Experienced in defending clients in criminal and civil investigations, including parallel investigations involving DOJ and SEC.
Proven first-chair trial lawyer
Extensive trial experience in white-collar cases involving healthcare fraud, violations of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, insider trading, identity theft, and obstruction of justice.
Healthcare fraud experience
Handled investigations in broad range of healthcare fraud cases involving laboratories, hospitals, home healthcare, hospice, durable medical equipment, skilled nursing facilities, opioid drugs, compounded drugs, and COVID-19 testing.
White-Collar Defense and Government Investigations
Complex Civil Litigation Matters
Federal Prosecutor Experience
Pro Bono Experience
Admitted to Practice
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California
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U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
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U.S. District Court, Central District of California
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U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
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U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
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U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Education
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J.D., USC Gould School of Law, 2008
- Order of the Coif
- Senior Content Editor, Southern California Law Review
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B.A., Philosophy, University of San Francisco, 2003, summa cum laude
- Valedictorian, College of Arts and Sciences
- Alpha Sigma Nu National Jesuit Honor Society
- NCAA Division I Soccer
Memberships & Affiliations
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- Association of Business Trial Lawyers, Los Angeles Chapter, Board of Governors, 2025
- Criminal Justice, Health Law, and Litigation Sections, American Bar Association
- American Health Law Association
- Los Angeles Chapter, Federal Bar Association
- California Lawyers Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- USC Gould School of Law, Board of Councilors' Clerkship Committee, 2020-present
- California Society for Healthcare Attorneys
Professional Recognition
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- Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2025-present
- Named in "Leaders of Influence – Thriving in their 40s" by the Los Angeles Business Journal, 2024
Background
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- Assistant United States Attorney, Major Frauds Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, Los Angeles, 2016-2021; Health Care Fraud Coordinator, 2017-2021; Hiring Committee Member, 2018-2021; Acting Deputy Chief, 2019-2020
- Trial Attorney, Fraud Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, Los Angeles, 2013-2016
- Litigation Associate, Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles, 2009-2013
- Judicial Law Clerk, Hon. Stephen V. Wilson, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, 2008-2009
- Judicial Extern, Hon. Dale S. Fischer, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Los Angeles, 2007