Chris Peele

B.A. , The University of Texas at Austin

J.D., the University of Texas at Austin

State:

• Texas

Federal:

• U.S. District Court, W.D. Texas

• U.S. District Court, N.D. Texas

• U.S. District Court, E.D. Texas

• U.S. District Court, S.D. Texas

• U.S. District Court, N.D. Illinois

• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals

Criminal Matters

• Represented healthcare provider in connection with civil investigative demands from both state and federal prosecutors; no action taken by state or federal prosecutors

• Represented company owner accused falsifying employment numbers to workers compensation insurer; negotiated favorable plea agreement that allowed company to remain in business and individual owner was not convicted of any crime

• Obtained 18-month federal sentence for individual charged as head of conspiracy that dealt in over $100 million in stolen electronics

• Assisted multinational corporation in obtaining information regarding corporate executive’s alleged criminal activities; executive voluntarily separated from company

• Obtained declination from DOJ for medical marketer who was subject of federal healthcare kickback investigation

• Assisted corporation in evaluating potential for criminal charges against CEO based on public allegations of sexual misconduct; CEO was terminated

• Represented former healthcare CEO charge with criminal Anti-Kickback Statute violations in six-week trial

• Assisted international corporation in interfacing with U.S. federal prosecutors regarding internal employee theft in excess of three million dollars

• Represented national company in connection with federal criminal investigation of controlled substance diversion by low level employees*

• Obtained dismissal of federal charges relating to stolen cellphone parts brought against our client*

• Prosecuted federal cases involving public corruption, white collar fraud, identify theft, drugs, guns, immigration, and other criminal charges in Texas and in Washington, DC*
  
  Civil Matters

  • Representing conduit bond issuer in case brought by Texas municipality to have bonds declared void; district granted summary judgment for PNT’s client, court of appeal affirmed,  and we are defending that win on appeal before the Texas Supreme Court

  • Defending multiple corporate entities alleged to be part of conspiracy to commit federal securities fraud.

  • Represented online streamer with more than 5 million followers who was sued for defamation; motion to dismiss was granted.

  • Local counsel to national pharmaceutical company in connection with civil investigative demand issue by Texas Attorney General; Texas AG withdrew CID after failing to dismiss our motion to quash the CID

  • Obtained summary judgment for social media company sued for defamation

  • Represented individual in connection with investigation by SEC into stock trading*

  • Represented company in connection civil False Claims Act case brought by whistleblower alleging violations of U.S. import laws*

  • Represented company in connection with civil False Claims Act case brought by whistleblower alleging fraud in connection with HUD financing of large medical complex*

   

  Internal Investigations

  • Conducted internal investigation into allegations of corruption against former city official of Texas municipality

  • Represented Division I coach in connection with internal investigation by school into allegations of misconduct

  • Conducted internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by student at private university

  • Conducted internal investigations into employee theft and Title IX violations for large public university*

  • Conducted internal investigation of allegations of racism and sexual misconduct by university officials at large private university*

  *Representation occurred while employed at a prior firm or with the federal government

After law school, Chris worked for Vinson & Elkins, a large national and international law firm, focused primarily on commercial litigation.  While at Vinson & Elkins Chris litigated in both federal and state court across all aspects of commercial disputes – contracts, business torts, fraud, and intellectual property matters.

Chris then joined the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.  During his time with DOJ, Chris prosecuted hundreds of cases spanning many types of crimes: White collar fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, firearms violations, drug crimes, and immigration crimes.  During this time Chris was also selected by the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction to move to Washington, DC and prosecute waste, fraud, and abuse cases arising out of the United States’ reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

After six years with DOJ, Chris returned to private practice as a partner with the Ashcroft Law Firm, led by former United States Attorney General John Ashcroft and a group of former United States Attorneys.  While there he grew a successful white collar and internal investigation practice.

In 2023, Chris founded PNT Law Firm with Austin Nimocks and Mike Toth.

Internal Investigations

Fractional General Counsel

Civil Litigation

Non-Profits

When he is not at the office, Chris enjoys eating Tex-Mex, watching professional soccer and all UT Longhorns sports, cooking, snowboarding, and traveling. 

Chris often takes on home improvement projects that he shouldn’t, but they eventually get done.  He also enjoys tending bar at home. On nice evenings you may find him on the deck he built, with a drink in hand. If you are family, friend, or a paying client, feel free to join him for a cocktail.

"The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do."

— Thomas Jefferson