David Isaak

About David Isaak

As Managing Partner of Steptoe\'s Houston office, I represent companies and executives in their most serious legal matters: government investigations, white collar criminal cases, and high stakes civil litigation. I am equally at home in civil or criminal court.My practice centers on representing clients in complex government investigations, white collar criminal cases, and civil litigation involving health care fraud, tax fraud, securities fraud (including insider trading), commodities manipulation, worksite immigration enforcement, trademark infringement, theft of trade secrets, environmental crimes, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Often my victories are private, such as when I persuade prosecutors or regulators not to bring criminal charges or civil enforcement claims. I also handle high-stakes civil litigation. For example, I represented a major player in the agricultural industry, the plaintiff in an eight-figure fraud case in Texas state court. After a week of trial, the case settled for a confidential amount. I also represented McKesson in the Texas opioids MDL and am currently representing an oil services company in an eight-figure contract dispute. Finally, a growing part of my practice is representing companies in internal investigations for a company or its Board or Audit Committee. These investigations have involved everything from alleged complex accounting fraud, to theft of trade secrets, to university admissions. Bottom line, whether the matter is civil or criminal, I have the skills, experience, and work ethic to zealously represent my client\'s interests in high-stakes disputes and investigations and help them achieve the best possible results.

Experience

1. Houston Office Managing Partner

   Steptoe LLP

   Jul 2025 — Present

Education

• The University of Texas School of Law

  J.D., with highest honors

  1996 — 1999

• University of North Dakota

  B.A., English, summa cum laude

  1990 — 1994

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  M.A., English, with honors

  1994 — 1996

Skills

• Government
• White Collar Criminal Defense
• Trials
• Government Investigations
• Jury Trials
• Commercial Litigation
• Fcpa
• Antitrust
• Securities Litigation
• Appeals
• Corporate Law
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Corporate Compliance (Fcpa and Antitrust)
• Internal Investigations
• Civil Litigation
• Complex Litigation