Ralph Kohnen

Practice Areas

Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense

Antitrust

Securities Litigation and Enforcement Defense

FCPA and International Anti-Corruption

Internal Investigations

Experience

Ralph is chair of Taft's Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense practice.

Ralph spent much of his career in the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio. After four years of private practice, he worked as a federal prosecutor and spent the next 11 years as a front-line trial attorney in criminal cases. In 2001, he became deputy criminal chief in charge of the criminal side of the United States Attorney's Cincinnati office.

Ralph advocates on behalf of businesses, executives, public officials, and other individuals involved in prosecutions and investigations. He is adept at navigating all phases of criminal matters, from investigations to trials and appeals, and the related regulatory proceedings. Ralph is skilled at internal investigations and also routinely assists clients with reviews and audits, along with corporate compliance programs.

Due to his experience as a former prosecutor, Ralph has a unique ability to understand how a criminal investigation or prosecution can impact an individual or a business, and he is always looking for ways to advance his clients' goals. He thrives on being his clients' legal and strategic advisor before, during, and after an investigation or prosecution.

Education