Thompson Hine LLP, a national law firm recognized for its focus on innovation, is pleased to announce that Mark Cipolletti has joined as a partner in its White Collar Defense & Investigations subgroup in the Washington, D.C. office. Cipolletti joins the firm after a distinguished career at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he served as Principal Assistant Chief in the Criminal Division's Fraud Section.
Cipolletti brings extensive experience in prosecuting and supervising complex financial crimes, including securities law violations, investment fraud, regulatory fraud, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, corporate compliance and criminal procurement fraud. As part of the leadership team in the Fraud Section, he collaborated with myriad government agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and various Inspectors General. With his vast trial experience—leading over 65 jury trials—and his role in developing the Fraud Section’s cryptocurrency and digital asset practice, he is a formidable addition to Thompson Hine.
His expertise will be instrumental in guiding Thompson Hine's clients through increasingly complex government enforcement and regulatory challenges.
"Mark is an exceptional litigator with a proven track record in handling some of the most sophisticated and high-profile cases at the DOJ," said Francis "Chip" E. Purcell, Jr., leader of the firm’s Washington D.C. office. “His expertise in financial fraud and innovative approach to emerging legal challenges, such as cryptocurrency, will be invaluable to our clients facing complex enforcement actions and regulatory issues."
"I am thrilled to join Thompson Hine," said Cipolletti. "The firm's collaborative culture and client-centered approach offer the perfect platform to develop the practice further and help clients navigate the evolving challenges of government enforcement and regulatory issues. The firm’s culture was the most important factor for me—it’s filled with individuals I genuinely want to work with and enjoy being around. I was particularly impressed by Thompson Hine’s focus on innovation and their model for client relationships. They have consistently demonstrated an ability to provide comprehensive client services in-house, and I am excited to contribute to and grow with such a dynamic, forward-thinking firm."
Before serving as Principal Assistant Chief, Cipolletti was Assistant Chief in the Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit, where he managed multiple initiatives, including developing the Unit's cryptocurrency practice and combating COVID-19-related fraud. He also played a key role in the Section’s commodities enforcement initiative, leveraging data analytics to investigate and prosecute significant market manipulation cases. His career also includes important contributions to the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section and the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted over 60 major felony jury trials, including high-profile clergy abuse cases.
At Thompson Hine, he will focus on representing clients in government enforcement investigations, including matters involving complex financial fraud, securities fraud, market manipulation, public corruption and cross-border crimes. He is also uniquely situated to assist clients who are victims of crimes such as embezzlement, insider trading, money laundering and cybercrime. His firsthand experience with the DOJ's investigative strategies and decision-making processes and investigative strategies will be an invaluable asset to the firm's clients.
Cipolletti noted that the definition of white collar crime has expanded with the rise of industries like AI and cryptocurrency. “In recent years, white collar crime has surged on both criminal and regulatory fronts, particularly in the financial services and digital asset sectors,” he said.
Cipolletti earned his B.A. from Temple University and graduated cum laude from Widener University Schools of Law. His distinguished service at the DOJ has earned him several accolades, including the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Work in the Commodities Enforcement Initiative and the Assistant Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service.
Cipolletti’s arrival marks the latest partner addition to Thompson Hine’s accomplished group of litigators. The firm continues to grow, recently expanding its footprint with the opening of its first West Coast office in Los Angeles and making several strategic hires, including Brittain Shaw, Cipolletti’s former DOJ colleague, and Ernest Badway, a former SEC attorney. In addition to the firm’s expansion of its global brand protection practice, this strategic growth reflects Thompson Hine’s continued commitment to driving innovation and offering exceptional client service.
Mark is admitted only in Pennsylvania. His work is supervised by D.C. principals of the firm.