Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the addition of Erica Benites Giese as senior counsel in the San Antonio office. As former Chief of the Financial Litigation Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas, Erica brings a wealth of experience to our Investigations & White Collar Defense practice. She also served as Chief of the San Antonio and Del Rio divisions.
“Erica brings a great skill-set and outstanding experience to our team. In addition to being a fantastic and well-respected trial lawyer, she has proven experience in handling civil Qui Tam/False Claims Act litigation, asset forfeiture, and government judgment collections and seizures,” Practice Chair Jay Dewald said. “Our clients state-wide will benefit greatly from having her on the team.”
Leveraging her previous experience at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Erica represents clients in white collar investigation and litigation matters related to bank regulatory compliance, white collar defense and trial preparation, and internal investigations. A Certified Fraud Examiner, she is equipped to handle qui tam complaints and investigations, healthcare fraud investigations, government contract fraud inquiries, and bank and wire fraud investigations with a comprehensive understanding of the current laws and statutes.
Prior to her legal career, Erica served the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services as a child protective services specialist, working on behalf of children in state custody.
“Serving in the public sector for 17 years was a rewarding experience, and I am excited to enter private practice where I will be able to continue serving the citizens of Texas in a different manner,” Erica said. “This includes working with clients to address and manage internal crises, implement fraud prevention measures, and develop anti-corruption policies and training.”
Serving in the public sector for 17 years was a rewarding experience, and I am excited to enter private practice where I will be able to continue serving the citizens of Texas in a different manner.
In welcoming Erica to the San Antonio office, Julia W. Mann, office managing partner and citywide chair of the Trial & Appellate Litigation practice, said: “Erica is an exceptional attorney with invaluable courtroom experience. She’s demonstrated years of hard work and dedication allowing her to provide an immediate positive impact on our office and our ability to provide excellence to our clients.”
While working toward her J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law, Erica served as Editor of The Scholar: St. Mary’s Law Review on Race and Social Justice and was a student attorney and research assistant for the Center for Legal and Social Justice. In addition, she interned for the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Houston and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Prior to St. Mary’s, she obtained her master’s degree in criminal justice from Texas State University and her bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin.
In addition to her practice, Erica is involved with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Compliance and Ethics Section of the Hispanic National Bar Association, the Federal Courts and Litigation Committees of the San Antonio Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Bexar County Women’s Bar Association, Mexican American Bar Association – San Antonio Chapter, and the St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association.
She has served as a guest lecturer at St. Mary’s University School of Law and The University of Texas at San Antonio, teaching on electronic discovery, victimology and constitutional criminal procedure.
Meet JW
Founded more than 130 years ago, Jackson Walker has played a vital role in the growth and development of Texas business. With more than 350 attorneys across seven Texas-based offices, the Firm represents Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, major financial institutions, insurance companies, and a wide range of public companies and private businesses around the globe. The Firm is ranked nationally in 27 practice areas in the U.S. News’ “Best Law Firms” rankings, has 12 Chambers USA-ranked practices, and has been recognized as a BTI Client Service A-Team since 2014.
