Crystal Y'Barbo Stapley

Washington

T: +1.202.639.6538

F: +1.202.879.8861

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, DC 20037

E: cstapley@velaw.com

VCard BIO PDF

Crystal’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters, white-collar criminal and civil litigation, and government investigations. She represents clients from a variety of industries, including government contracting, and crude oil storage and transportation, in responding to government inquiries and subpoenas, and related litigation.

Crystal has significant experience defending against investigations and litigation involving allegations under the False Claims Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar anti-fraud or anti-corruption statutes. She also has significant experience involving commercial disputes, including litigation and/or arbitration arising from those disputes, and proceedings related to the enforcement of associated arbitration awards.

Experience Highlights

(S.D. Tex.); (Fifth Circuit) — Defended a global supplier of telecommunications products in qui tam action regarding its provision of services to schools and libraries under the federal E-Rate program; although the district court denied a motion to dismiss, the Fifth Circuit reversed and held on an issue of first impression that funds from the E-Rate program are not “provided by” the United States for purposes of the False Claims Act
(2d Cir.) — Successfully represented an international defense contracting corporation and a consulting firm in proceedings to enforce a $38 million international arbitration award
(D. MD) — Represented a products manufacturer in litigation arising under the Lanham Act and involving a certification trademark dispute
(E.D. Tex.) — Defending a government contractor in False Claims Act qui tam actions, and in civil and criminal investigations of its procurement activities and operations in the Middle East
Assisted a company engaged in transporting, storing, and marketing petroleum products in responding to a civil investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, and as a third party resisting significant discovery in litigation brought by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission

Conducted internal investigations of companies with non-U.S. operations regarding potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and counseling companies regarding compliance with the FCPA and potential disclosure to U.S. enforcement authorities
(S.D. Tex.); (Fifth Circuit) — Defended a global supplier of telecommunications products in qui tam action regarding its provision of services to schools and libraries under the federal E-Rate program; although the district court denied a motion to dismiss, the Fifth Circuit reversed and held on an issue of first impression that funds from the E-Rate program are not “provided by” the United States for purposes of the False Claims Act
(D. MD) — Represented a products manufacturer in litigation arising under the Lanham Act and involving a certification trademark dispute

(E.D. Tex.) — Defending a government contractor in False Claims Act qui tam actions, and in civil and criminal investigations of its procurement activities and operations in the Middle East
(S.D. Tex.); (Fifth Circuit) — Defended a global supplier of telecommunications products in qui tam action regarding its provision of services to schools and libraries under the federal E-Rate program; although the district court denied a motion to dismiss, the Fifth Circuit reversed and held on an issue of first impression that funds from the E-Rate program are not “provided by” the United States for purposes of the False Claims Act
Assisted a company engaged in transporting, storing, and marketing petroleum products in responding to a civil investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, and as a third party resisting significant discovery in litigation brought by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission
(2d Cir.) — Successfully represented an international defense contracting corporation and a consulting firm in proceedings to enforce a $38 million international arbitration award

Credentials

Baylor Law School, J.D. magna cum laude, 2009 (Senior Executive Editor, Baylor LawReview)
Texas A&M University, B.B.A., Finance magna cum laude and Business Honors Distinction, 2006