Seth DuCharme chairs Bracewell’s national Government Enforcement & Investigations (GEI) practice and provides personal attention, a formidable presence and highly responsive counsel to clients facing government scrutiny. Seth works directly with companies and individuals to navigate complex enforcement challenges, ensuring that every matter receives his focused involvement and strategic guidance. Known for his accessibility and hands-on approach, Seth partners closely with clients to address urgent needs and leverage his experience serving in senior leadership positions at the Department of Justice to deliver practical, effective solutions when the stakes are highest.
He represents companies and individuals in the investigation and defense of a variety of federal and state regulatory, criminal and civil matters, including matters relating to healthcare, cryptocurrency enforcement, national security, cross border regulation, cyber security and data breach response, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) diligence and litigation, Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), export controls, sanctions compliance and anti-money laundering.
Seth is recommended by leading legal publications and directories, including Chambers USA for New York Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations and Legal 500 US for Dispute Resolution – Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, and has been recognized as one of “America’s Top Lawyers” by Forbes (2025) and a “Distinguished Leader” by The New York Law Journal at the 2025 New York Legal Awards. Chambers USA notes that Seth is “an excellent lawyer and advocate. He has great judgment and can read a room.” (2025). “Seth is unflappable. He is very good at navigating the most complex situations.” (2025). “He is a superstar and is well respected.” (2025).
Prior to joining Bracewell, Seth served for 13 years in the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York where he held various positions, including the presidentially appointed Acting United States Attorney, the Chief of the Criminal Division and the Chief of the National Security & Cybercrime Section. From March 2019 through July 2020, Seth served on detail to Main Justice, where he served first as the Senior Counselor to the Attorney General for criminal, national security and cyber matters before attaining the position of Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States — the highest ranking career prosecutor in the Department of Justice.
Seth is a frequent media commentator and guest lecturer. Prior to attending law school, he began his career in law enforcement as a Deputy United States Marshal in the Eastern District. After graduating from Fordham University School of Law in 2003, Seth clerked for the Honorable Richard Owen of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and then spent several years as an associate at a prominent international law firm in New York City. In 2021, Seth was appointed to serve on the Criminal Justice Act Panel in the Eastern District of New York.
