John J. Dowling III - Charlotte, NC
Attorney at Chapman, Dowling & Mallek
White Collar Crimes Lawyers in Charlotte, NC
6201 Fairview Rd, Ste 200A Charlotte, NC 28210
- Free Consultation
Charlotte White Collar Crimes Lawyer
Updated: 07/13/2026
Areas of Practice
- White Collar Crimes 51%
- Criminal Defense 49%
Attorney Information
Overview
Mr. Dowling represents clients charged with white-collar crimes in state and federal courts across the country. He regularly interacts with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, DOJ, Homeland Security, and the US Secret Service. His practice is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he has tried cases, represented clients, or argued federal appeals in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Miami, Kentucky, California, and more.
His clientele includes a range of professionals, including business owners, doctors, law enforcement officers, lawyers, political personnel, engineers, tax preparers, bankers, as well as a judge.
By and large, Mr. Dowling represents individuals charged with (or under investigation for) fraud-related offenses, especially wire, mail, and bank fraud, as well as bribery, money laundering, identity theft, embezzlement, and conspiracy.
A large fraction of Mr. Dowling’s practice also involves representing physicians, pharmacists, and other licensed medical professionals in federal court charged with violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act and federal health care fraud. In a recent case, Mr. Dowling, along with two colleagues, represented a physician at trial in federal court in New York and assisted in obtaining verdicts of not guilty on nine felony counts—including three witness tampering counts. Mr. Dowling’s opening statement in that case was covered in Newsday—Long Island’s largest print newspaper.
Also recently, Mr. Dowling represented a government employee under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for bribery and honest services fraud. Mr. Dowling persuaded the government to decline charges altogether. In another case, he represented a tax preparer under investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Secret Service for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP loan) fraud involving nearly $500,000. Again, he persuaded the government to decline charges altogether. In addition, recently, in a case investigated by U.S. Homeland Security, he defended at trial a senior vice president at Wells Fargo indicted for an organized crime related offense.
Mr. Dowling earned his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law where he served as chairman of the disciplinary committee for the Moot Court Honor Society. He has earned two awards for legal writing and his essays on federal sentencing have been published in criminal defense newsletters.
In law school, he spent two years interning at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of New York, helping those charged with a range of federal offenses including bribery, wire, bank, and social security fraud, international money laundering, death threats against public officials, identity theft, drug, and firearms offenses, and a capital punishment case.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Super Lawyers - Rising Star, January 1, 2026
Education
Legal Education
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Syracuse University College of Law,
Syracuse,
New York, 2020
J.D.
Honors: Moot Court Honor Society
Honors: CALI Award (highest grade in class), Legal Writing in Criminal Litigation
Honors: CALI Award (highest grade in class), Legal Writing
Honors: CALI Award (highest grade in class), Commercial Real Estate
Honors: CALI Award (highest grade in class), Real Estate Transactions
Non Legal Education
-
Long Island University Post, 2017
B.A.
Honors: Honors College & Merit Fellowship
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Federal Attorney
Representative Clients
In a firearms case, secured a not guilty verdict at trial in state court. North Carolina v. M.M.
In three separate and unrelated cases, secured the complete dismissal of attempted murder indictments in a 12-month period. North Carolina v. D.C., (2024); North Carolina v. B.W., (2024); North Carolina v. J.M., (2023).
Assisted in representing a campaign treasurer in a federal grand jury investigation concerning campaign finance crimes. U.S. Attorney’s Office declined charges.
Represented a tax preparer investigated by the U.S. Secret Service for paycheck protection program (PPP) loan fraud. U.S. Attorney declined charges.
Advised business owners in a multi-million-dollar federal grand jury investigation into tax-based money laundering involving the IRS-CI.
Represented a witness in a federal investigation by the FTC into misbranded supplements.
Represented a foreign national under investigation by the FBI for a multi-million-dollar money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business.
Defended a North Carolina State Trooper charged in federal court with dealing in firearms without a federal license.
Served as co-counsel to owners of a large dental practice under indictment for racketeering, wire fraud, money laundering, and related offenses in alleged $80mn scheme.
Served on multi-member defense team representing a pain management physician accused of illegally prescribing pain medication outside the normal course of medical practice.
Assisted in successful appeal of federal bribery conviction in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. United States v. Lindberg, 39 F.4th 151 (4th Cir. 2022).
In a statutory interpretation case on an issue of first impression, wrote a winning brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, resulting in a published opinion. The case involved allegations regarding a NYC crime family. United States v. Saladino, 7 F.4th 120 (2d Cir. 2021).
Served as lead counsel to a man convicted of a double murder in connection with racketeering under the federal RICO Act. The appeal is pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
In a federal drug case, served as lead counsel and argued the appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. United States v. Chance, 2024 WL 1110383 (3d Cir. Mar. 14, 2024).
Bar Admissions
- North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
- U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
Other Affiliations
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- American Bar Association
- White-Collar Crime Section, Mecklenburg County Bar Association
- Charlotte Business Group
- Charlotte Area Chamber of Commerce
Photo
Contact
6201 Fairview Rd, Ste 200A
Charlotte, NC 28210
Phone Number: 346-781-1794
Email: Send a message
Website: https://whitecollarcriminaldefense.com/
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 6 pm
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