Jean-Jacques Cabou

Practice Areas

Litigation

White Collar & Investigations

Appeals, Issues & Strategy

Securities Enforcement

Supply Chain Compliance & Corporate Social Responsibility

Compliance & Internal Controls

International Transactions & Trade

Arts & Entertainment

Blockchain, Digital Assets & Custody

Cannabis Law

Fintech

Internet of Things (IoT)

Career

Jean-Jacques “J” Cabou is the firmwide co-chair of Perkins Coie’s White Collar & Investigations practice. Known for his creative strategies and winning results, J represents companies, government institutions, and individuals in their most consequential and high-stakes legal matters.

A nationally recognized advocate and counselor, J has extensive experience defending 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’s practice also includes the defense of matters involving classified information, the state secrets privilege, and national security.

J is also an experienced commercial litigator who continues to represent clients in complex civil litigation matters, especially in highly regulated industries. J frequently represents clients before appellate courts, including the Arizona Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, various U.S. courts of appeals, Arizona Court of Appeals, and other state courts of appeals and 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 recognized by clients throughout Arizona as a leading advocate in Arizona 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 one of the founders and leaders of Perkins Coie’s nationwide, multidisciplinary Blockchain, Digital Assets & Custody industry group. He has been recognized by clients, prosecutors, industry, and media outlets as among the foremost lawyers in the country with experience in digital currency. J 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 and sports official, 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 and has been an adjunct professor at both the University of Chicago Law School and the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where he currently teaches Federal Courts.