Benjamin R. Barron
Partner
T: 949.476.8700
F: 949.476.0900
bbarron@kelleranderle.com
PRACTICE AREAS
Trials
Commercial Litigation
White Collar Criminal Defense
Corporate Internal Investigations
EDUCATION
Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude; Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Articles Editor and Senior Editor; Harvard Defenders, Team Leader
UC Berkeley, B.A., Philosophy, with Distinction
CLERKSHIP
Law Clerk, The Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Ben Barron is a top-tier first-chair trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals in complex white collar criminal matters, government investigations, corporate internal investigations, and high-stakes business disputes. A former senior federal prosecutor, Ben has extensive experience leading matters involving financial fraud, money laundering, public corruption, racketeering, and other sophisticated criminal and regulatory issues.
Before joining KAS, Ben served as Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Orange County, where he supervised federal criminal investigations and prosecutions throughout the region and worked closely with senior officials at the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement agencies, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also served as Special Counsel to the United States Attorney and as Deputy Chief of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.
During his fifteen-year career as a federal prosecutor, Ben successfully tried or supervised 33 jury trials to verdict. He led complex, multi-agency investigations involving public corruption, fraud, money laundering, organized criminal activity, and corporate misconduct, and regularly advised prosecutors and federal agents on investigative strategy, charging decisions, trial preparation, and crisis-sensitive matters.
Ben was also recognized within the Department of Justice for his work involving healthcare fraud and kickback violations. He prosecuted more than two dozen medical professionals, created and led the first DOJ enforcement program focused on fraud and kickback schemes in the substance-abuse treatment industry, and trained prosecutors and federal agents throughout the country.
Ben received numerous awards for his service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including the Department of Justice’s prestigious Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant United States Attorney, the Prosecutor of the Year Award from the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, the Department of Homeland Security’s SAC Achievement Award, and the Director’s Award for Individual Achievement from DOJ’s Organized Crime Task Force.
Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he served as Articles Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (by invitation only, limited to top ½ of 1 percent of lawyers nationally)
The Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America (2025-2026)
The Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America (2025-2026)
The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, “California’s Top White Collar Lawyers” (2024)
Special Commendation for exemplary service, Federal Bureau of Investigation (2024)
Special Commendation for exemplary service, U.S. Department of Justice (2024)
SAC Achievement Award, Department of Homeland Security – Homeland Security Investigations (2023)
Special Commendation for exemplary service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (2020)
Prosecutor of the Year, California Narcotic Officers’ Association (2019)
Special Achievement Award for demonstrated excellence, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (2017)
Director’s Award for Individual Achievement, DOJ Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (2016)
Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant United States Attorney, United States Department of Justice (2015)
Centurion Award, Peace Officers’ Association of Los Angeles County (2013)
Attorney General’s Honors Program, United States Department of Justice (2008)
Samuel Heyman Fellow, Harvard Law School (2007)
WITH KAS
Representing Masimo Corporation in a lawsuit brought by its former CEO Joe Kiani seeking to enforce a $500 million golden parachute following Kiani’s termination for cause.
Represented Masimo in a federal securities action involving alleged misconduct by an activist investment firm in connection with a shareholder proxy battle.
Represented the owners of a telehealth and medical testing provider in a California DOJ criminal investigation involving alleged kickbacks and healthcare fraud.
Represented an executive of an international alcohol distribution business in a federal criminal investigation involving commercial bribery and tax fraud.
Defending the co-founder and CEO of an agricultural products manufacturing in an action seeking $70 million in damages for alleged violations of a non-competition clause.
Represented a non-profit organization in a lawsuit alleging violation of residents’ voting rights by a city government.
Conducted a confidential investigation for a client into alleged deceptive sales practices and related financial accounting issues.
Conducted a confidential internal investigation for a life sciences company on regulatory compliance matters.
Defended AIG in an action seeking $6 million for alleged bad-faith claim denial, resulting in a settlement on favorable terms.
Represented a publicly traded company in a $17 million fee dispute arbitration against a major international law firm.
WITH DOJ
Supervised the Orange County Office’s complex white-collar prosecutions involving securities and corporate fraud, Ponzi schemes, insider trading, FCPA violations, cryptocurrency schemes, and customs offenses. Coordinated enforcement actions, global resolutions, and initiatives with senior leadership at the SEC, FTC, CFTC, and DOJ Fraud Section.
Oversaw the public corruption investigation and resulting prosecutions of Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Ament, and a prominent lobbyist and political consultant.
Secured convictions on all counts following a four-week jury trial against three defendants charged with a $20 million healthcare fraud, kickback, and drug misbranding scheme. Resolved the charges against 15 other co-defendants, including the owners of a medical diagnostic imaging facility, two medical professionals, and two pharmacy owners.
Secured convictions on all counts in a three-week jury trial against the owners of a compounding pharmacy for a drug diversion, money laundering, and tax fraud scheme.
Prosecuted a medical clinic owner for a billing fraud scheme targeting a labor union health plan.
Prosecuted the owners of two drug wholesale businesses for a $20 million currency structuring and tax fraud scheme.
Prevailed on all counts in a federal jury trial against a Harvard-trained physician for unlawful opioid prescribing and a related $1.1 million money laundering scheme.
Prosecuted a CPA for a $5 million tax fraud scheme.
Led wiretap prosecution of 13 defendants tied to Eurasian organized crime for using a network of medical clinics throughout Southern California to carry out a massive healthcare fraud and opioid diversion scheme.
Founded DOJ’s first task force focused on fraud and kickbacks in the substance abuse treatment industry and personally led successful prosecutions against eight defendants, including the owners of five treatment facilities, for more than $6.8 million in kickbacks; these included the nation’s first EKRA-based money laundering charges.
Prosecuted six defendants for a $3 million bank fraud and identity theft scheme.
Prosecuted a business owner for carrying out a $8.9 million PPP loan fraud scheme.
Led wiretap prosecution of 30 Mexican Mafia members for racketeering, murder, and extortion.
Led international wiretap prosecution of 20 Sinaloa Cartel leaders and associates for international drug trafficking, kidnapping, and bulk cash smuggling.
Worked jointly with leadership from the FBI, DEA, LAPD, and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to establish a districtwide task force prosecuting fentanyl-induced homicides, and successfully prosecuted the district’s first test cases.
Benjamin R. Barron
Partner
T: 949.476.8700
F: 949.476.0900
bbarron@kelleranderle.com
EDUCATION
Harvard Law School, J.D., magna cum laude; Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Articles Editor and Senior Editor; Harvard Defenders, Team Leader
UC Berkeley, B.A., Philosophy, with Distinction
CLERKSHIP
Law Clerk, The Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
EXPERIENCE
Ben Barron is a top-tier first-chair trial lawyer who represents companies and individuals in complex white collar criminal matters, government investigations, corporate internal investigations, and high-stakes business disputes. A former senior federal prosecutor, Ben has extensive experience leading matters involving financial fraud, money laundering, public corruption, racketeering, and other sophisticated criminal and regulatory issues.
Before joining KAS, Ben served as Chief of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Orange County, where he supervised federal criminal investigations and prosecutions throughout the region and worked closely with senior officials at the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement agencies, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also served as Special Counsel to the United States Attorney and as Deputy Chief of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section.
During his fifteen-year career as a federal prosecutor, Ben successfully tried or supervised 33 jury trials to verdict. He led complex, multi-agency investigations involving public corruption, fraud, money laundering, organized criminal activity, and corporate misconduct, and regularly advised prosecutors and federal agents on investigative strategy, charging decisions, trial preparation, and crisis-sensitive matters.
Ben was also recognized within the Department of Justice for his work involving healthcare fraud and kickback violations. He prosecuted more than two dozen medical professionals, created and led the first DOJ enforcement program focused on fraud and kickback schemes in the substance-abuse treatment industry, and trained prosecutors and federal agents throughout the country.
Ben received numerous awards for his service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including the Department of Justice’s prestigious Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant United States Attorney, the Prosecutor of the Year Award from the California Narcotic Officers’ Association, the Department of Homeland Security’s SAC Achievement Award, and the Director’s Award for Individual Achievement from DOJ’s Organized Crime Task Force.
Ben served as a law clerk to the Honorable Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He received his law degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, where he served as Articles Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy.
