UCLA Law School (J.D., 1999)
California State University, Fullerton (B.A. International Business, 1995)
State Bar of California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition)
‘OC Inspirational Women Awards’ Nominees by Los Angeles Times B2B (2023)
“Southern California Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers® (2023)
“Southern California Rising Star” by Super Lawyers® (2007, 2009, 2010)
Member, Women in White Collar Crime Defense Association, LA Chapter
Successful defense of a high-level executive in a securities fraud investigation, resulting in a favorable settlement and declination of criminal prosecution.
Successful defense of a healthcare professional in a criminal case involving violations of the State’s mandatory reporting requirements, resulting in dismissal of case.
Successful defense of a high-level executive in a criminal case involving violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Travel Act, resulting in a very favorable sentence.
Successful defense of a general partner in a $320 million real estate mortgage case involving allegations of securities fraud, resulting in a very favorable sentence.
Successful defense of a farm owner in a criminal case involving violations of State Fish & Game laws, resulting in a very favorable disposition.
Successful defense of a high-level executive in a civil suit filed by employer for embezzlement, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and related claims, resulting in a favorable settlement.
Successful representation of a national title company in campaign contribution and finance investigations conducted on the local and state levels.
Successful defense of an LLC and its partners in defending a suit for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair business practices, resulting in dismissal of action.
Successful defense of a high-ranking executive in an enforcement action involving violations of federal campaign contribution laws, resulting in a favorable settlement.
Successful representation of investors in defending against receiver’s clawback claim in a case involving a ponzi scheme.
Successful defense of a company executive in a criminal case involving violations of the Clean Water Act, resulting in a very favorable sentence.
Successful representation of a national trucking company and its president in a commercial bribery case.
Successful representation of a hospital executive in a grand jury investigation involving false statements to regulatory agencies.
Successful defense of an elected official involving charges of threats against public officials, resulting in a mistrial.
Successful representation of a financial institution in a criminal investigation involving the workplace death of an employee.
Successful representation of Cities, City Councils and City Council members, and elected state officials in grand jury investigations.
Teresa Céspedes Alarcón brings over 20 years of experience in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, parallel administrative proceedings, and business litigation. She represents individuals and businesses in state and federal matters, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and commercial bribery investigations and prosecutions, all types of fraud, investor clawback claims, environmental crimes, campaign finance, contract disputes, SEC and regulatory agency enforcement actions, internal investigations, and grand jury proceedings.
Teresa has represented clients in some of the biggest criminal prosecutions in Southern California, including litigation arising out of one of largest securities fraud prosecutions out of the Southern District, and the largest foreign bribery (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Travel Act) prosecution in the Central District of California. She has extensive experience representing clients in parallel administrative proceedings and complex business litigation, including enforcement actions involving the SEC, Federal Election Commission, and Department of Health & Human Services.
Teresa’s recent experience includes the successful defense of a high-level executive in a securities fraud investigation, resulting in a favorable settlement with the SEC and declination of criminal prosecution by federal and state agencies; successful defense of a healthcare professional in a criminal case involving violations of the State’s mandatory reporting requirements, resulting in dismissal of the case; successful defense of a high-level executive in a civil suit filed by employer for embezzlement, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and related claims, resulting in a favorable settlement; and successful defense of a farm owner in a criminal case involving violations of State Fish & Game laws, resulting in a favorable resolution.
Before joining Mortenson Taggart Adams LLP, Teresa was a partner at KAEDIAN LLP. She previously worked as Special Counsel at Brown, White & Newhouse LLP, and an associate at Bienert & Katzman PLC’s and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP’s White-Collar Crime and Litigation Departments. She also served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Arthur Alarcón (no relation) for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for the 2004-05 term.
Teresa was selected to the Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition). She was also recognized as a “Southern California Super Lawyer” in 2023 and as a “Southern California Rising Star” in 2007, 2009, and 2010 by Super Lawyers®. She is the co-author of Investigating Corporate Employees in Civil and Criminal Litigation – A Necessary But Difficult Task, Federal Bar Association Newsletter, Spring 2010, and is a certified CLE provider on matters relating to professional ethics and internal investigations. She is fluent in Spanish.