Profile
Frank Quinlan has broad experience in leadership of large organizations stemming from his duty as a U.S. Marine Corps commander, as current chairman of several corporation board audit committees and member of an investment committee with sizeable assets under management, and as former general counsel of a national not-for-profit foundation. His responsibility includes oversight of internal audits and the preparation of financial statements by international accounting firms; and development of business continuity plans.
Co-founder of the AV rated Newport Beach firm of Kester & Quinlan, LLP, for over 20 years Frank has represented banks, venture capital firms, mortgage, title and general liability insurers, public and private corporations, receivers and individuals in business. He began his law career as a legal officer in a Marine helicopter gunship squadron, followed by a tour as an FBI Special Agent.
Forensic Analysis and Fraud Counsel
Devoting a substantial part of his practice to critical internal investigations, institutional crisis management and corporate governance, Frank regularly advises clients involved in investigations and litigation associated with complex financial fraud, securities fraud, transactions involving real estate, labor, lending and bank operations, including money laundering, embezzlement and Patriot Act issues, and personal business, tax and estate planning issues. He periodically consults in the defense of white collar crime and unfair business practices claims.
As an FBI Agent, Frank was involved in substantial federal criminal investigations into white-collar crime, public corruption, bank and insurance fraud, organized crime, labor, tax, and extortion of business. He also served as an FBI pilot and completed the FBI Special Agents’ Course in Investigative (forensic) Accounting.
Business and Financial Services Counsel
As part of his broad financial services counsel, Frank works with clients to:
- Conduct risk identification/management and business continuity analyses
- Counsel lenders and investors on financial transactions due diligence
- Advise on information technology security assessments
- Advise on large scale IT project cost containment and reduction
- Plan individual and corporate tax and estate transactions
- Represent bankruptcy trustees and receivers investigating and litigating significant contested matters
- Provide expert witness testimony in corporate litigation
- Advise on governmental agency inquiries at state and federal levels
Military and Law Enforcement Service
Frank retired from the United States Marine Corps Reserve in February 2009 at the rank of Brigadier General after serving in command positions at the Squadron, Air Group, Air Wing, Marine Expeditionary Force and Joint Force levels. His most recent command assignment was Vice-Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Central Commands. During 2008-09, he was recalled to active duty as Special Investigator and Director of an assessment and investigative team. His professional education includes coursework at ten senior officer schools including Information Security and Operations at the Air War College and the National Security Program for US and Russian General Officers at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Experience
Frank Quinlan’s significant client liability exposure case experience includes:
- Discovered and initiated quick reaction planning to recover funds for a corporate investor in the Stanford Group Companies $8 billion Ponzi scheme
- Discovered and minimized bank custodian liability risk in $140 million First Pension Company investment fraud
- Conducted investigation and recovery efforts for a National Savings Bank in a large dollar corporate check theft, alteration and international transfer of assets case
- Conducted quick reaction investigation and recovery of RVs for a bank in a $6 million title forgery and vehicle theft case
- Conducted internal investigation and risk minimization planning for a bank in an $8 million dollar fraudulent heavy equipment leasing scheme
- Conducted loan risk assessment and mitigation for bank in a $20 million bridge loan, successfully steering the client away from substantial risk of loss
- Successfully defended a National Savings bank against $10 million in negligent lending claims and obtained full recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs after extended trial and motion practice
- Conducted quick reaction investigation and recovery in court of valuable international cargo shipments held under a business extortion threat
- Represented California Native American nation in Fair Political Practices Commission investigation, and conducted extensive internal inquiry in support
- Represented public companies in international counterfeit goods and trademark infringement investigations, and recovery efforts
- Successfully minimized tax assessments and charges in numerous IRS (civil and criminal), California Franchise Tax Board and other states’ tax agency cases