(NEWARK – January 20, 2026) Megan Linares has joined FBT Gibbons as a partner in the firm’s White Collar & Investigations practice group in its Newark office. She will focus on a wide range of white collar matters and brings extensive governmental experience to the role, including more than five years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where she worked closely with federal agencies on complex criminal investigations.

“This year has already started on a high note for us, and welcoming Megan as the first partner to join our White Collar & Investigations practice group since the formation of our newly combined firm is a significant milestone,” said Ricardo Solano, leader of FBT Gibbons’ White Collar & Investigations practice group. “Her deep experience — from prosecuting sophisticated cyber-crimes and fraud schemes to handling money laundering and racketeering matters at the U.S. Attorney’s Office — combined with her perspective from private practice, makes her a powerful resource for our clients and a tremendous addition to our team as we continue to grow.”

As an assistant U.S. attorney in Newark, Linares investigated and prosecuted a broad range of criminal matters, including complex international cyber intrusions, malware and malvertising schemes, wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, narcotics and narco-terrorism cases, violent crimes, racketeering offenses, and drug conspiracies. She conducted grand jury proceedings, secured indictments, and tried cases in federal court to guilty verdicts. Linares also worked extensively with federal agencies, including the FBI, ATF, DEA, and IRS, as well as with attorneys from the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section on international cyber investigations.

Prior to her government service, Linares was an associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, where she represented financial services institutions, private investment funds, and individuals in a wide range of matters, including contract disputes, bank fraud, international investigations, and white collar criminal defense.

“Throughout my career, I have strived to achieve justice for all who enter our courts or the judicial system, and I will continue those efforts as I join FBT Gibbons,” Linares said. “The firm’s White Collar & Investigations group has earned a strong reputation for its thoughtful, impactful work, and I am excited to contribute to that tradition while helping clients navigate some of their most challenging matters.”

Among her other accomplishments, Linares was named a 2024 Top Lawyers Under 40 by The Hispanic National Bar Association and Master of Ceremonies for the District Court of New Jersey’s Hispanic Heritage Program. Linares was also named to BINJE’s list of Best Hispanic Business Leaders in 2025.

The White Collar & Investigations Group relies on a wealth of both prosecutorial and defense experience in defending companies and individuals, including multinational and domestic corporations, business executives, medical, legal and accounting professionals, and foreign governments, in a wide variety of criminal, quasi-criminal, administrative, and regulatory matters at all levels of the federal and state judicial systems, as well as internationally. The Group is experienced at protecting corporate and individual interests from the first moments of an investigation all the way through trial.

About FBT Gibbons

FBT Gibbons LLP is a national law firm focused on serving companies operating and investing in the middle market. With nearly 800 lawyers across 25 offices, the firm is positioned to support clients ranging from large multinationals to mid-sized businesses and growth-oriented startups across the United States. FBT Gibbons provides legal counsel enriched with valuable business and market context, particularly in corporate, litigation, and regulatory matters within the energy, finance, life sciences, and manufacturing sectors. The firm is committed to delivering excellent service to its clients, colleagues, and the communities in which it operates. To learn more, visit FBTGibbons.com.