Brian A. Sun

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Los Angeles
United States
T:+1 213 892 9222
Los Angeles
United States
T:+1 213 892 9222
Brian A. Sun

Brian A. Sun

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Biography

Brian Sun is an accomplished trial lawyer experienced in complex business litigation, white collar criminal defense and multijurisdictional investigation matters. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Brian's global litigation and investigations practice covers a range of areas, including matters involving unfair competition, intellectual property, commercial bribery, public corruption, entertainment, shareholder rights, contractual disputes, fraud and cross-border issues.

Brian's clients include Global Fortune 500 institutions and high-profile individuals embroiled in high-stakes litigation. Over the years, he has represented such clients as Hon Hai Precision Co. (Foxconn), Mattel, Emerson Electric Co., Air China, Ltd., EFG Bank AG, Sanofi-Aventis, the City of Los Angeles and a number of individuals, including former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona and Dr. Wen Ho Lee in his successful civil lawsuit against the United States government.

Brian is recognized by Chambers USA in its top tier for California: White Collar Crime and Government Investigations and has appeared on the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers of America list. He has also been recognized by Who's Who Legal as a Thought Leader.  Brian has been honored with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association's (NAPABA) Trailblazer Award, the National Diversity Council's Multicultural Leadership Award and the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brian served as a deputy general counsel to the Christopher Commission, which recommended sweeping reforms of the Los Angeles Police Department in the wake of the Rodney King incident.

A former federal prosecutor, Brian was Chief of the Financial Investigations Unit and a US Attorney of the Criminal Division of the US Attorney's Office in Los Angeles early in his career. He also served as Law Clerk to the Honorable A. Andrew Hauk for the US District Court of the Central District of California.

Professional experience

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JD, University of Southern California Law Center, 1979
BA, International Relations, University of Southern California, 1976

  • California State Bar
  • Settlement for Chinese state-owned enterprise in federal prosecution for alleged conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling and distribution of human growth hormone
  • Acquittal for client on five of six counts of indictment charged with corruption and witness tampering
  • Representation of a large offshore multinational corporation in a federal criminal tax investigation
  • Landmark settlement for client in legal battle with US government arising from press leaks during Los Alamos investigation
  • Successful resolution of SEC enforcement action for insider trading for software manufacturing company CEO
  • Representation of multiple former employees of a broadband communications company in connection with the stock option backdating investigation and prosecution conducted by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Successful response for a large offshore multinational corporation in a US federal criminal tax investigation
  • Representation of a retired FBI counterintelligence agent accused of mishandling national security documents
  • Moved for return of property seized in connection with Arizona's civil forfeiture suit against an international client under state's RICO statute
  • Representation of a pool of current and former employees of a large Swiss financial institution being investigated by the US Department of Justice for allegedly aiding and abetting tax evasion by the bank's US customers
  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Chambers USA, California: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (Band 1), Chambers and Partners, 2007 – 2022
  • Chambers USA, California: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, Senior Statesperson, Chambers and Partners, 2023 – 2024
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators, Lawdragon, 2024
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, Inc., 2025
  • Legal 500 US, Recommended Lawyer, International litigation, The Legal 500, 2023
  • Southern California Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2021-2023
  • Jim Robie Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2019
  • Top 500 Lawyers in America, Lawdragon Magazine, 2005, 2017
  • Trailblazer Award, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2013
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, 2013
  • 100 Most Influential Minority Lawyers, National Law Journal, 2008
  • Best of the Bar in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2008
  • Defense Attorney of the Year, Criminal Justice Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2003
  • Distinguished Service Award, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, 2003
  • 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California, Los Angeles Daily Journal, 2002
  • Pro Bono Award, American Jewish Congress, 2001
  • Justice in Action Award, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, 2001
  • The Best Lawyers in America - Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Best Lawyers, 2006 - 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers, 2023 - 2025
  • The Best Lawyers in America - Litigation – Securities, Best Lawyers, 2019 - 2025
  • Litigation Star: California, Benchmark Litigation, Delinian, 2023 - 2025
  • "Unique Issues in Representing Individuals National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers," West Coast White Collar Crime, May 11, 2020
  • "China, Economic Espionage, and National Security: Government & Defense Perspectives," November 19, 2019
  • "Science and Technology Caught Between the United States and China," September 28, 2019
  • "Caught in the Crossfire? Asian Americans in the U.S. China Conflict," 46th Annual OCA National Convention, June 29, 2019
  • "Cross-border Litigation Panel Discussion," The Legal 500: Taiwan Dispute Resolution Forum 2019, May 23, 2019
  • Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, President 1985 – 1986
  • Asian Pacific Bar of California, President 1986 – 1987
  • National Asian Pacific American Bar Association:
    • President, 1993 – 1994
    • Board of Governors, 1989 – 1991
    • Chair/Co-chair, Judicial Appointments Committee, 1989 – 2002
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association:
    • Lawyer Assistance Committee, 1983 – 1984
    • Immigration Project Oversight Committee, 1984 – 1986
    • Executive Committee, Barristers ,1987 – 1988
    • Judicial Appointments Committee, 1988 – 1991
    • Board of Trustees, 1988 – 1990
    • Executive Committee, Litigation Section, 1996 – 2000; Chair 1999 – 2000
  • Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Board, 1990 – 1996, President 1995
  • Committee of 100, Board of Governors 2007-2010, 2023 - present; Membership Chair 2008 – 2010
  • Southwestern Law School, Board of Trustees, Board Member, 1996 – 2011
  • Inclusion Action Council, Burger King Corporation, Board Member, 2006 – 2012

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