150+ federal counts resulting in not-guilty verdicts
$550M+ in alleged exposure defeated or avoided
U.S. Supreme Court judgment vacated
Nationwide federal practice
A Record Proven in Federal Court
Federal acquittals are rare. Ron’s record includes repeated complete acquittals in complex cases built by the Department of Justice, the FBI, the DEA, HHS-OIG, and specialized federal strike forces. His results are unmatched in the area of federal criminal defense and health care fraud defense.
United States v. Bothra et al. | E.D. Michigan | 2022 Ron represented Dr. David Lewis in a 56-count prosecution alleging a $464 million healthcare fraud scheme and the unlawful prescribing of more than 13 million opioid pills. After a seven-week trial, Dr. Lewis and three physician co-defendants were acquitted on every charge. The Department of Justice later updated its own charging release to reflect the acquittals.
United States v. Pompy | E.D. Michigan | 2022 A federal jury acquitted Dr. Lesly Pompy of all 38 counts alleging unlawful prescribing and healthcare fraud after a month-long trial. The verdict preserved his freedom and rejected the government’s attempt to convert clinical judgment into criminal intent.
United States v. Kousa | E.D. Kentucky | 2023 Dr. Loey Kousa was charged with unlawful distribution, healthcare fraud, and false statements arising from his medical practice in eastern Kentucky. After six days of evidence, the jury acquitted him on all nine counts.
United States v. Hansen | E.D. Kentucky | 2024 Following a month-long trial, a federal jury completely acquitted interventional pain physician Dr. Kendall Hansen of conspiracy and controlled-substance charges. The case followed a years-long investigation and a highly publicized search of his practice.
United States v. Sachy | M.D. Georgia | 2023 Ron and co-counsel secured mid-trial Rule 29 dismissal of two counts alleging that prescriptions caused patient deaths, each carrying a twenty-year mandatory minimum. The remaining opioid-distribution counts were later dismissed through a resolution that allowed Dr. Thomas Sachy to leave court a free man and resulted in the return of approximately $1.2 million in seized assets.
Naum v. United States | U.S. Supreme Court | 2022 As counsel of record for Dr. George Naum, Ron obtained an order granting the petition for certiorari, vacating the judgment, and remanding the case for reconsideration under the Supreme Court’s decision in Ruan v. United States.
View All Representative Results
Recognition and Credentials
- Selected to Michigan Super Lawyers, 2024-2026; selected to Rising Stars, 2015-2023.
- Named a DBusiness Top Lawyer, 2025.
- Named an Up & Coming Lawyer by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, 2015.
- Recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
- J.D. and LL.M. in Health Law, Loyola University Chicago School of Law.
- B.A., Oakland University; graduate of Naval Justice School.
- Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and numerous federal courts of appeals and district courts.
- Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and State Bar of Michigan.
Ron Chapman
Founding Attorney & CEO | Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Ron Chapman stands out as one of the nation’s most formidable federal criminal defense attorneys, renowned for his exceptional success in high-stakes litigation. Based in Detroit but practicing nationwide, Ron has built a reputation on winning the unwinnable.
A former prosecutor and U.S. Marine Corps Judge Advocate, he combines insider understanding of the government with the tenacity of a battlefield-tested leader. His trial record is virtually unparalleled—in an era when only about 0.6% of federal defendants are acquitted, Ron has secured multiple full acquittals in just the past few years.
Those who have seen him in action agree that he is anything but ordinary: a veteran federal judge praised Ron as “one of the most talented attorneys” they had seen in 20 years on the bench. For clients facing the fight of their lives, Ron Chapman is the ally you want in your corner.
Federal Defense Begins by Restoring Control
Federal cases are built quietly. By the time agents arrive, a subpoena is served, or an indictment becomes public, the government may have spent months or years collecting records, interviewing witnesses, and shaping a narrative. The defense must become organized immediately.
Ron Chapman brings order to that moment. As the founding attorney and CEO of Chapman, Dowling & Mallek, he represents clients nationwide in complex federal criminal investigations, white-collar prosecutions, healthcare fraud cases, controlled-substance matters, and appeals. His clients are often physicians, executives, and professionals who have spent decades building careers and reputations that can be damaged before a jury ever hears the evidence.
Ron’s role begins with clarity. He identifies immediate risks, preserves options, and builds a defense around the facts that will matter to agents, prosecutors, judges, and, when necessary, a jury. Clients know what the team is doing, what decisions are approaching, and why each step matters.
That steadiness is matched by a rare trial record. Across criminal defense and compliance matters, teams led by Ron have obtained not-guilty verdicts on more than 150 federal counts and have defeated or helped clients avoid more than $550 million in alleged fraud, penalty, forfeiture, and overpayment exposure. The figures are significant, but each result represents something more personal: a client’s freedom, profession, reputation, or family returned to them
Advocacy at the U.S. Supreme Court
Ron served as counsel of record for Dr. George Naum’s Supreme Court petition challenging the intent standard applied to physicians prosecuted under the Controlled Substances Act. On June 30, 2022, the Court granted the petition, vacated the judgment, and remanded the case in light of Ruan.
He also served as counsel of record for physician amici in Ruan, advocating for a criminal-intent standard that distinguishes unlawful drug distribution from the good-faith practice of medicine. The Supreme Court held that the government must prove a defendant knowingly or intentionally acted in an unauthorized manner.
This appellate work reflects the same principle that guides Ron’s trial practice: regulatory complexity, documentation disputes, and differences in professional judgment must not be converted into crimes without proof of criminal intent.
Experience on Both Sides of a Government Case
Before representing federal defendants, Ron served as a United States Marine Corps officer and Judge Advocate. His assignments included service as a prosecutor, defense counsel, senior legal advisor in Afghanistan, and operational law attorney. His work included investigations involving weapons trafficking, narcotics, and counterterrorism, together with coordination among military and federal law-enforcement agencies.
Ron received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his service. The habits formed there still shape his work: master the facts before acting, assign responsibility clearly, test assumptions, prepare contingencies, and remain disciplined when the pressure rises.
Leadership in Complex Federal Defense
As founder and CEO of Chapman, Dowling & Mallek, Ron leads multidisciplinary defense teams built around the demands of each case. Depending on the allegations, that team may include experienced co-counsel, investigators, forensic reviewers, physicians, pharmacists, billing and coding specialists, economists, and data experts.
Other attorneys bring Ron into cases that require trial experience, deep healthcare knowledge, or command of large and technical records. His national practice has taken him from federal district courts to multiple courts of appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ron’s compliance work with healthcare providers gives him another important vantage point: how legitimate organizations actually operate, document decisions, and respond to audits. That experience helps the defense separate imperfect processes from intentional fraud and identify where the government’s narrative departs from the underlying business or medicine
What It Feels Like to Have Ron on Your Side
A federal case can consume the space around it: careerspause, families worry, and every call feels consequential. Ron believes counselshould reduce that burden, not add to it. He speaks directly, explains riskwithout theatrics, and keeps clients involved in the decisions that shape theirdefense.
The defense is candid about what can be controlled, what cannot, and where disciplined effort can change the outcome. Ron remains personally engaged at decisive points, while the broader team is organized sot hat questions are answered, assignments are owned, and the case continues moving.
That is the standard: a client should never have to wonder whether the case is being worked, whether a concern was heard, or what comes next.
“Ron and his team make you feel like his only client.”
-M.B., former client
“Ron remained the barrier of humanity that protected me from my government.”
-E.C., former client
Speak With Ron Confidentially
If federal agents have contacted you, your organization has received a subpoena, a search warrant has been executed, or charges have been filed, early decisions can determine which options remain available. A confidential consultation should provide more than reassurance. It should leave you with a clear understanding of the immediate risks, the defense priorities, and the next step.
Contact Chapman, Dowling & Mallek to speak directly with Ron about your matter.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter depends on its own facts, evidence, jurisdiction, and law.
Ron is the author of Fight the Feds: Unraveling Federal Criminal Investigations and Truth and Persuasion: In the Digital Revolution. His books reflect the two disciplines at the center of his practice: understanding how government power operates and explaining complex truth in language that people can understand.
His articles have appeared in The Champion, Pain Medicine News, Medscape, and State Bar of Michigan publications. He has taught lawyers and healthcare professionals through programs presented by the American Conference Institute, the Michigan State Medical Society, the National Alliance of Medical Auditing Specialists, and other national organizations.
Ron is also a frequent legal analyst on national television and digital media, with appearances on the BBC, Fox, CBS, Bloomberg, NewsNation, Newsmax, and other outlets. As host of Off Air, he explains federal prosecutions, constitutional disputes, and major legal developments for a broader public audience.
Protector and Counselor
Ron’s leadership extends to the business side of healthcare law as well. He is the President of Safe Harbor Healthcare, a consulting firm that advises hospitals and medical practices on compliance and internal investigations. Through CCG Healthcare, Ron helps organizations proactively avoid running afoul of federal regulations. He and his team conduct audits, devise compliance programs, and guide clients in responding to government audits or subpoenas. In recent years, Safe Harbor Group (SHG)—which Ron formed with top healthcare experts—has prevented over $550 million in government overpayments, fines, and forfeitures for providers by catching issues early and fixing them. This preventative work aligns with Ron’s philosophy that the best win is the crisis that never occurs. It also means that when clients do call him after an investigation has begun, he often knows the administrative terrain well enough to negotiate effectively with agencies like the DEA, FBI, HHS, and FDA. Whether writing a book, appearing on television, or consulting on compliance, Ron’s goal is consistent: to protect individuals and professionals from unjust government action before, during, and after any legal battle.
A Relentless Advocate with a Human Touch
What truly distinguishes Ron Chapman is not just his impressive credentials or wins, but how he achieves them—through meticulous preparation, genuine care for his clients, and an unwavering moral compass. Ron’s approach to defense is both scientific and humanistic. He is known for a strategic, data-driven methodology: from day one of a case, he dives into the details, analyzes evidence for every weakness, and crafts arguments fortified by facts and expert insight. He spares no effort in challenging the government’s case—filing bold motions to expose investigative missteps, rigorously cross-examining federal agents and expert witnesses, and ensuring that every legal avenue (suppression, dismissal, jury instruction, etc.) is fully explored. This exhaustive approach often leads to uncovering prosecutorial weaknesses that less dedicated attorneys might miss. Ron has a proven ability to flip the script, turning a complex case into a story of government overreach or reasonable doubt that jurors readily understand.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter depends on its own facts, evidence, jurisdiction, and law.
Trust Through Results and Integrity
Results matter—and Ron delivers. But equally important is the integrity and trust that underpin those outcomes. Ron Chapman has earned the trust of physicians, executives, and professionals across the country by consistently doing what he promises: providing the strongest defense possible, grounded in hard work and ethical advocacy. He understands that hiring a lawyer is often an act of faith for clients, and he honors that faith by being accessible and responsive. Ron personally returns calls, keeps clients informed, and involves them in key decisions. He knows that a federal case can be a marathon of stress and uncertainty, so he makes it a point to stand by his clients every step of the way—as a steady guide and fierce guardian of their rights.
From securing record-breaking acquittals to influencing landmark Supreme Court rulings, Ron Chapman’s career has been defined by excellence and dedication. He has proven that no case is too complex, no opponent too powerful, and no cause too difficult if approached with intellect and heart. For Ron, justice is personal. It’s the Marine in him—leave no one behind. It’s the lawyer in him—every client deserves the best defense. And it’s the human in him—a profound empathy for those caught in circumstances they never imagined. This rare blend of qualities is why so many clients, when asked who they trust with their freedom, have one answer: “Call Ron Chapman.”
Professionalism, Values and Ethics
At the same time, Ron never loses sight of the human story behind each case. He understands that his clients are usually upstanding professionals—doctors, executives, family people—who are terrified and at risk of losing everything. Ron takes the time to truly know his clients and their values, so he can tell their story convincingly in the courtroom. His philosophy is that a strong defense is built not only on legal arguments but also on credibility and compassion. He often says that the facts alone aren’t enough—the story must be told well. Colleagues describe Ron as approachable and down-to-earth, despite his military and courtroom toughness. Clients often find in him not just a lawyer, but a steadfast ally who treats their fight as if it were his own. This personal commitment shines through in court. Judges and juries can sense the authenticity in Ron’s advocacy—he genuinely believes in his clients and in the principle that every individual deserves justice. That sincerity, paired with his courtroom charisma, makes a powerful combination.
A Life Devoted to Advocacy
Ron’s unwavering commitment to justice is perhaps his defining trait. He has been known to work through nights and weekends, leaving no stone unturned, because he knows lives and livelihoods hang in the balance. His relentless work ethic and sharp legal instincts have produced historic victories that not only change his clients’ lives for the better but also push the law forward. He is driven by a deep sense of duty—a continuation of his Marine Corps ethos—to protect the innocent and hold the government to its burden of proof. In Ron’s view, defending a client is serving a cause greater than oneself: it’s upholding the constitutional ideals of due process and the presumption of innocence. This passion for justice has not gone unnoticed. In addition to the judge who lauded Ron’s talent, many others have offered glowing testimonials. Fellow attorneys refer cases to him with confidence. Former clients send grateful referrals, noting how Ron saved their careers or kept their families together. Even adversaries respect him; while they may not enjoy losing, federal prosecutors acknowledge that when Ron is on the defense, they have to bring their A-game.
Transparency and Agency is a Key to Client Comfort
Perhaps what most inspires trust in Ron Chapman is that he sees his role not just as a lawyer, but as a protector and counselor in his clients’ darkest hours. He is transparent with clients about their options, treating them with honesty and empathy at every step. Those who come to Ron fearful and overwhelmed leave his office feeling heard, supported, and better equipped to face the challenge ahead. They know that no matter how powerful the opponent—be it a U.S. Attorney or a federal agency—Ron will fight tirelessly on their behalf. His presence in the courtroom alone gives clients confidence; he exudes a calm, commanding demeanor built on preparation and truth. This presence has even been described as “the highest level of defense strategy available” for those facing federal prosecution. It’s a presence that brings precision, credibility, and an unmatched track record to the table—exactly what a client needs when everything is at stake.