Brian Sun has earned a national reputation as a distinguished trial lawyer in complex business litigation and white collar criminal defense. He is a former federal prosecutor, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and has been named by Lawdragon Magazine as one of America's 500 leading lawyers. Brian is recognized as a Band 1 lawyer by Chambers in the area of white collar criminal defense and government investigations. He was also Partner-in-Charge of the Los Angeles Office for several years.
Brian's litigation practice covers a wide range of areas, including matters involving intellectual property disputes, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), public corruption, entertainment, contractual disputes, and fraud. Brian has a substantial cross-border practice, and his clients include Global Fortune 300 institutions and individuals embroiled in high-stakes litigation. Over the years he has represented such clients as Hon Hai Precision Co. (Foxconn), Mattel, Emerson Electric Co., 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 a former president of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) and the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank. He has been honored by NAPABA with its Trailblazer Award and by the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award. He also 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.
Experience
Additional Publications
- May 26, 2008
Profiles in Power: The 50 most influential minority lawyers in America, The National Law Journal
Speaking Engagements
- May 11, 2020
Unique Issues in Representing Individuals National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - West Coast White Collar Crime - November 19, 2019
China, Economic Espionage, and National Security: Government & Defense Perspectives - September 28, 2019
Science and Technology Caught Between the United States and China - June 29, 2019
Caught in the Crossfire? Asian Americans in the U.S. China Conflict 46th Annual OCA National Convention - May 23, 2019
Cross-border Litigation Panel Discussion, The Legal 500: Taiwan Dispute Resolution Forum 2019 - April 4, 2019
Pitfalls for All STEM Professionals in a New Era of US-China Relations - March 20, 2019
Receives the Jim Robie Professionalism and Civility Award from the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Litigation Section - March 9, 2019
The New Reality Facing Chinese Americans During the U.S.-China - February 16, 2019
Forging Ahead: Confronting Today's Global Challenges, 18th Annual Penn APALSA Conference, University of Pennsylvania Law School - October 12, 2017
Economic Espionage & National Security: Bias in the Criminal Justice System, sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, Minnesota Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Jones Day, and 3M - June 7, 2016
Brian Sun Receives National Diversity Council’s Multicultural Leadership Award - May 4, 2016
U.S. Laws Affecting Asian Americans in Science and Technology - May 26, 2015
Cyber Security - The Road Ahead in 2015 - November 7, 2014
China and Asian Americans: The Law and Politics of U.S. National Security, 2014 NAPABA Convention: Hot Topics in Inside Counsel Outside Counsel Attorney Client Relationship Management - January 12, 2014
Advanced Criminal Law: Winning Strategies for the Defense - November 8, 2013
NAPABA Convention – Brian Sun Receives Trailblazer Award - March 28, 2013
Protecting Corporate America's Trade Secrets - September 27, 2012
Attorney Client Privilege Issues for the In-House Attorney: Practical Tips Regarding Preservation, Waiver and Avoiding Conflicts - January 28, 2012
2012 JD MCLE: Trial Workshop - September 27, 2011
2011 Speaker Series
Asia-Pacific: Emerging Issues for U.S. Businesses in Australia and Asia - September 25, 2007
ACCA-SoCal DoubleHeader Event at Dodger Stadium: Avoid the Warning Track ...Guiding Your Company in Crisis Management and Protecting its IP Assets - October 20, 2004
Intellectual Property Crimes: What You Need to Know to Prevent Them and Stay Out of Trouble
- University of Southern California (J.D. 1979; B.A. magna cum laude 1976; Phi Beta Kappa)
- California
- Chief, Financial Investigations Unit, U.S. Department of Justice (1984-1986) and Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney's Office, Los Angeles (1982-1986)
Chambers USA — Band 1 (2007-present), white collar crime and government investigations, California
"Most Highly Regarded in U.S.," Who's Who Legal: Business Crime Defence (2014)
"Defense Lawyer of the Year," Los Angeles County Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
"Best of the Best," Los Angeles Business Journal
"Top 100," Southern California Super Lawyers
- Law Clerk to the Honorable A. Andrew Hauk, U.S. District Court, Central District of California (1979-1980)