Joseph Poluka concentrates his practice in the area of white collar, internal, and government investigations, and represents clients in the investigation and defense of a wide variety of criminal offenses, including violations of:
· Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
· bribery and gratuity statutes
· mail and wire fraud statutes
· money laundering
· securities fraud
· antitrust crimes
· tax crimes
Prior to joining Blank Rome, Mr. Poluka served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Mr. Poluka's prosecutorial experience included the investigation and prosecution of complex white collar fraud and corruption matters, including bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, environmental crimes, export (Trading with the Enemy Act), healthcare fraud, securities fraud (including insider trading), tax, and terrorism crimes.
While at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mr. Poluka also served as the deputy chief of the Violent Crimes, Terrorism & Immigration Fraud Section, as well as the coordinator of the Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC), consisting of over 85 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies that coordinate information sharing and cooperation on terrorism matters. Mr. Poluka also was the USA PATRIOT Act spokesperson for the district.
Mr. Poluka has received the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Representative Matters
· Conducted internal FCPA compliance investigations and audits for several significant domestic and foreign corporations
· Successfully represented high-level executive in hazardous waste investigation
· Representation of nonprofit corporation in ongoing political corruption grand jury investigation
· Representation of corporate executive charged with federal securities violations
· Represented automobile dealership in investigation of state ethics law violations
· Represented accountant witnesses in a tax fraud grand jury investigation and trial
· Secured probationary sentence for individual charged with federal bribery violation
· Conducted internal investigation and represented financing company victim in $500 million scheme to defraud
· Represented individual and corporate victims of employee fraud
· Successfully represented publicly-traded corporation in options backdating investigation
· Representation of major medical device manufacturer in criminal and related proceedings involving off-label promotion
· Successfully represented individual granted immunity in federal bank fraud grand jury investigation
· Member of the appeals team that successfully overturned death penalty sentence for individual on death row in Pennsylvania
Community Service & Affiliations
Mr. Poluka is active in The Phi Beta Kappa Society and served as a Senator (2008-2009). He is also a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Federal Bar Association.
Memberships
American Bar Association
Federal Bar Association
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Phi Beta Kappa Society
Philadelphia Bar Association
Events
WHISTLEBLOWER JUNCTION: WHERE EMPLOYMENT LAW AND CRIMINAL LAW MEET
[Event]
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, PA
November 18-19, 2011
Joseph G. Poluka
7TH ANNUAL EMERGING ISSUES FOR IN-HOUSE COUNSEL
[Event]
Philadelphia, PA and New York, NY
November 4th and November 11th, 2011
Susan L. Bickley, Mark Blondman, Sheila E. Branyan, Edward N. Cahn, Cheryl S. Chang, William R. Cruse, et al.
USA PATRIOT ACT
[Event]
Philadelphia Legal Secretaries Association
Philadelphia, PA
October 11, 2011
Joseph G. Poluka
REGULATION AND DISSEMINATION OF OFF-LABEL INFORMATION
[Event]
American Conference Institute FDA Boot Camp
Boston, MA
September 22-23, 2011
Joseph G. Poluka
PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR NEW TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN EMPLOYMENT LAW
[Event]
The Rittenhouse Hotel
210 West Rittenhouse Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
June 9, 2011
Mark Blondman, Colleen A. Carolan, Scott F. Cooper, Jennifer J. Daniels, Jennifer Hale Eagland, Lauren Fox, et al.
SECURITIES ENFORCEMENT: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW
[Event]
PACDL White Collar Practice Annual Meeting
Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia, PA
November 19, 2010
Joseph G. Poluka
THE CONSCIENTIOUS EMPLOYEE: PROTECTING THE WHISTLEBLOWER
[Event]
The American Law Journal
WFMZ-TV 69
November 8, 2010
Anthony B. Haller and Joseph G. Poluka
FIFTH ANNUAL EMERGING ISSUES FOR IN-HOUSE COUNSEL
[Event]
The Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Grand Hyatt New York
Friday, November 6, 2009
W. Cameron Beard, Thomas E. Biron, Frank A. Dante, Earl M. Forte, Stephen E. Gross, Anthony B. Haller, et al.
BLANK ROME'S NICHOLAS C. HARBIST TO SERVE AS A MODERATOR DURING THE ABA'S NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON CORPORATE INVESTIGATIONS AND IN-HOUSE COUNSEL PROGRAM
[Event]
Washington DC
April 30, 2009
Nicholas C. Harbist and Joseph G. Poluka
Program to present pressing issues surrounding corporate investigation
SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
[Event]
One Logan Square, Philadelphia, PA
September 25, 2008
Michael P. Broadhurst, Earl M. Forte, John E. Lucian, Joseph G. Poluka and Marc Rothenberg
SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
[Event]
The Chrysler Building, New York City
May 21, 2008
Earl M. Forte, John E. Lucian, Joseph G. Poluka, Marc Rothenberg and James V. Masella III
EMERGING ISSUES FOR IN-HOUSE COUNSEL 2006 SEMINAR
[Event]
Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia
October 27, 2006
Harvard Club, New York
November 3, 2006
Jerry D. Bernstein, Sheila E. Branyan, Edward N. Cahn, Harris N. Cogan, Frank A. Dante, Jeremy J.O. Harwood, et al.
Publications
FOR THE DEFENSE
[Alert]
For the Defense
Spring 2012
Joseph G. Poluka, Shawn M. Wright, James R. Billings-Kang, Lauren H. Katz Smith, Nicholas C. Harbist, Henry F. Schuelke III, et al.
PHARMACEUTICAL CRIMINAL LIABILITY: CONTINUING RISKS FOR EXECUTIVES AND IN-HOUSE COUNSEL
[Article]
Pharma Compliance Monitor
April 23, 2012
Joseph G. Poluka and Lauren H. Katz Smith
ETHICAL ELECTRONICS: NEW GUIDANCE ON PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT E-MAILS
[Alert]
For the Defense
November 15, 2011
Joseph G. Poluka and Michelle Gitlitz Courtney
ARE FACEBOOK POSTINGS DISCOVERABLE?
[Alert]
For The Defense
October 2010 (No. 4)
Joseph G. Poluka and Michelle Gitlitz Courtney
WHOSE E-MAIL IS IT ANYWAY? IT DEPENDS. . .
[Alert]
For The Defense
February 2010 (No. 2)
Joseph G. Poluka and Michelle Gitlitz Courtney
SECOND CIRCUIT'S RULING PUTS AN END TO WALL STREET SPECIALIST CASES
[Alert]
For the Defense
Fall 2008 (No. 7)
Joseph G. Poluka and Laura Brill Deegan
MINING BURIED ELECTRONIC DATA: INCREASING CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASE CONCERNS
[Article]
Intellectual Property Counsel
June 2008
Joseph G. Poluka and Inbal Paz
NEW TREATISE IS GO-TO SOURCE ON WHITE-COLLAR CRIME
[Article]
Atlantic Coast In-House
May 2008
Joseph G. Poluka
MORTGAGE CRISIS FALLOUT CONTINUES: BANKERS' EXECUTIVE PAY AND INSIDER STOCK SALES UNDER CONGRESSIONAL MICROSCOPE
[Alert]
Subprime Mortgage Update
March 2008 (No. 1)
Joseph G. Poluka and Lewis W. Schlossberg
MORTGAGE CRISIS FALLOUT CONTINUES: BANKERS' EXECUTIVE PAY AND INSIDER STOCK SALES UNDER CONGRESSIONAL MICROSOPE
[Alert]
For the Defense
March 2008 (No. 4)
Joseph G. Poluka and Lewis W. Schlossberg
FOR THE DEFENSE
[Alert]
Quarterly Commentary on White Collar, Internal & Government Investigations
Winter 2008
Matthew D. Lee, Gregory F. Linsin, Joseph G. Poluka, Inbal Paz and Lewis W. Schlossberg
MINING BURIED ELECTRONIC DATA: INCREASING CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASE CONCERNS
[Alert]
For the Defense
Winter 2008 (No. 3)
Joseph G. Poluka and Inbal Paz
MORE FALLOUT FROM THE MORTGAGE CRISIS: GOVERNMENT NOW TARGETS WALL STREET-IS MAIN STREET NEXT?
[Alert]
For the Defense
Winter 2008 (No. 1)
Joseph G. Poluka and Lewis W. Schlossberg
MORE FALLOUT FROM THE MORTGAGE CRISIS: GOVERNMENT NOW TARGETS WALL STREET
[Alert]
Subprime Mortgage Update
December 7, 2007 (No. 1)
Joseph G. Poluka and Lewis W. Schlossberg
FOR THE DEFENSE
[Alert]
Quarterly Commentary on White Collar, Internal & Government Investigations
Fall 2007 (Vol. 2)
Jerry D. Bernstein, Ian M. Comisky, Michelle Gitlitz Courtney, Matthew D. Lee and Joseph G. Poluka
FOR THE DEFENSE
[Alert]
Quarterly Commentary on White Collar, Internal & Government Investigations
Summer 2007 (Vol. 1)
Jerry D. Bernstein, Ian M. Comisky, Michelle Gitlitz Courtney, Matthew D. Lee and Joseph G. Poluka
WHOSE E-MAIL IS IT ANYWAY?
[Alert]
White Collar Alert: For the Defense
June 2007 (No. 1)
Joseph G. Poluka and Michelle Gitlitz Courtney
COURT FINDS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IMPROPERLY INTERFERED WITH KPMG'S ADVANCEMENT OF LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES TO ITS PARTNERS AND EMPLOYEES UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND INDICTMENT
[Alert]
White Collar Alert
July 2006
Jerry D. Bernstein and Joseph G. Poluka
APPELLATE COURTS EXTEND "INTANGIBLE RIGHTS" THEORY OF MAIL AND WIRE FRAUD FROM CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO PRIVATE-SECTOR
[Alert]
White Collar Alert
May 2006
Jerry D. Bernstein and Joseph G. Poluka
PERSPECTIVES ON THE USA PATRIOT ACT
[Article]
Pennsylvania Bar Quarterly
January 2005
Joseph G. Poluka
News
EMPLOYEE PRIVACY CASE REACHES SUPREME COURT
[Media Coverage]
April 19, 2010
Joseph G. Poluka
JOSEPH G. POLUKA ELECTED TO PHI BETA KAPPA SENATE
[Press Release]
July 10, 2008
Joseph G. Poluka
UNSUNG HERO OF "FORT DIX SIX" PLOT REVEALED
[Media Coverage]
May 30, 2007
Joseph G. Poluka
JUDGES FIND AGAINST LAWYERS IN FRAUD CASES
[Media Coverage]
July 17, 2006
Joseph G. Poluka
Recognition
BLANK ROME WINS MONDAQ CONTENT AWARD
[Award]
April 15, 2010
Joseph G. Poluka and Michelle Gitlitz Courtney