John Pease has decades of experience as a first-chair trial lawyer who represents and defends clients in complex white collar litigation and government investigations matters, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS); Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); and False Claims Act (FCA) litigation. He conducts internal investigations for companies across industries involving potential violations of law and corporate policies and helps clients to navigate and resolve difficult compliance issues. John regularly counsels clients on compliance programs and policies, and conducts assessments of corporate compliance programs to mitigate potential government enforcement risks.
John has the experience of serving as a federal prosecutor, defense lawyer, and in-house counsel and draws upon that diverse knowledge in achieving favorable results for clients. John has experience representing companies in the life sciences, medical device, and healthcare industries, and was recognized as a Life Sciences Star by LMG in 2023. Ranked for white collar crime and government investigations, Chambers USA noted that John has been described by peers as being "tough, tenacious, and smart,” as well as “thorough and well prepared.”
While at the US Attorney’s Office, John successfully tried numerous complex white collar fraud, corruption, and tax cases, including the prosecution of a major public corruption case involving a prominent state senator. During his 16-year career as a federal prosecutor, John served as chief of the Government and Health Care Fraud Section in the Criminal Division from 2009 to 2013, leveraging his healthcare fraud, AKS, and FCA litigation experience and leading a number of nationwide investigations and prosecutions involving global pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, defense contractors, and healthcare providers. In addition to his far-reaching first-chair trial experience, John has argued numerous times before the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, John was executive counsel for Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he managed global government investigations and related criminal and civil litigation (in the United States and internationally) in a variety of areas, including the FCPA; foreign criminal and regulatory statutes; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; the Anti-Kickback Statute; compliance with the Controlled Substances Act and DEA regulatory compliance; antitrust violations and the FCA. He worked closely with Teva’s general counsel and senior executive management team, interfaced with the board and audit committee, and served as principal counsel to the global compliance officer. John has handled FCPA investigations in more than 20 countries, with significant experience in Asia, Eastern Europe (including Russia and Ukraine), Western Europe, and Latin America.
He began his career at a national law firm based in Philadelphia, where he handled both complex commercial litigation and white collar matters. John previously taught trial advocacy as an adjunct professor at the Drexel University School of Law and served as a lecturer in law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He has spoken on numerous panels regarding white collar crime and government investigations, the FCPA, and healthcare fraud throughout the United States.
Government Investigations and False Claims Act/Qui Tam Litigation
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Anticorruption
Other Matters
Life Sciences Star, White-Collar/Govt. Investigations, LMG Life Sciences Awards Americas (2023, 2024)
Recognized, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers (2022–2024)
Ranked, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Pennsylvania, Chambers USA (2020–2024)
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Philadelphia (2020–2025)
AV Peer Rating
Member, American Health Lawyers Association
Member, Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Committee, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Master, University of Pennsylvania American Inn of Court
Member, American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section, White Collar Crime Committee