Howard M. Shapiro

Howard M. Shapiro is a highly respected partner at WilmerHale, with over three decades of courtroom experience. Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has established himself as one of the nation’s foremost authorities in white-collar defense, complex litigation, and securities enforcement. He has consistently been recognized as one of the leading lawyers in Washington.

Howard earned his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from Williams College in 1982 and subsequently completed his Juris Doctor at Yale Law School in 1985, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Pierre N. Leval of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, gaining valuable early exposure to high-level judicial practice.

Throughout his career, Howard has handled complex litigation and high-stakes investigations for corporations and individuals across industries. His notable successes include securing a $52 million jury verdict for Loral Space & Communications and leading the landmark IGEN International v. Roche Diagnostics case, which culminated in a billion-dollar resolution. He has also defended clients in criminal investigations nationwide and managed sensitive internal inquiries for major banking and corporate entities worldwide.

Before joining WilmerHale, Howard served as General Counsel of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he received the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. Earlier, as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, he prosecuted significant cases involving organized crime, political corruption, and major fraud. His work included a Justice Department special assignment investigating the notorious mail bombing assassinations of Judge Robert Vance and attorney Robert Robinson.

With a career marked by courtroom excellence, strategic insight, and a dedication to client advocacy, Howard M. Shapiro continues to be recognized by leading legal directories, including Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America, and Who’s Who Legal, for his outstanding contributions to litigation and investigations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• New York

Education

• Yale Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Williams College
  BA with Magna Cum Laude

Awards & Badges