An accomplished litigator, Ashley Shapiro represents individuals and corporations across a wide array of industries in white collar criminal defense, internal investigations and corporate compliance matters. She also defends civil litigation matters, including False Claims Act and qui tam actions. Regularly handling highly charged situations in connection with criminal investigations, Ashley is known for her ability to quickly assess and diffuse unplanned and immediate problems as they arise. Her take-charge advocacy in deftly devising strategic legal solutions reflects her deep commitment and passion in helping clients navigate these unanticipated and often-emotional scenarios.
Ashley is well versed in federal and state government investigations, specifically state attorneys general investigating grand juries and federal grand juries. She represents both entities and individuals under investigation or charged with a crime. These matters involve violations of political/public corruption, conspiracy, healthcare fraud, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, tax violations and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Ashley also conducts internal investigations for corporate clients across a variety of industries.
Ashley defends individuals accused of crimes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey municipal/district courts. Her experience spans local, state and federal levels across several jurisdictions, including Pennsylvania (and the city of Philadelphia), New Jersey and New York.
In her versatile practice, Ashley also handles administrative proceedings, such as Title IX investigations and student disciplinary matters. She represents students under investigation or who are being disciplined by their school for alleged violations of sexual assault, harassment, hazing or code of conduct policies. During these cases, she often represents students in parallel criminal proceedings.
In her civil litigation practice, Ashley resolves cases in state and federal courts that have underlying criminal issues or parallel proceedings. These matters often involve RICO, sexual abuse claims and environmental issues.
In addition to her day-to-day practice, Ashley is co-chair of the firm’s pro bono committee.
Featured Representative Matters
Federal White Collar Matters
Secured a declination of criminal prosecution in a healthcare-related fraud matter and negotiated a consent decree with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, which resolved numerous alleged violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law without any admission of liability by the client.
Obtained a dismissal in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania of all charges relating to the alleged improper filling of two out-of-date propane cylinders, in violation of U.S. Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations, that resulted in a deadly explosion on a food truck in Philadelphia. The client pleaded guilty to two counts of regulatory violations involving the failure to properly train and document the training of two employees at a U-Haul facility he managed in 2014. Despite the government’s efforts to obtain a period of incarceration, the defendant was sentenced to two years of probation, a small fine, and community service (United States v. M.R.).
Obtained sentencing of one year of unsupervised probation in the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of a client after having negotiated a guilty plea to one count of misprision of a felony in connection with a fraud investigation involving misrepresentations made involving NASA contracts.
Secured the dismissal of an indictment in the Middle District of Pennsylvania charging a prominent Michigan businessperson with wire fraud and conspiracy, which resulted in the matter being resolved in favor of a corporate guilty plea for probation and payment of restitution by an entity that was no longer actively in business.
Pennsylvania State Matters
Secured reversal in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania of the forfeiture of a judge’s state pension by the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS). After the judge pleaded guilty to two charges of violating 18 U.S.C. Section 1001 by lying to federal investigators, SERS informed him that by doing so, he forfeited his pension under the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act (Act 140) and that the violation of the federal statute was “substantially the same” as violating 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4906. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the statutes were not identical, overturning the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court’s ruling and precedent set in Merlino v. Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement (O'Neill v. State Employees' Retirement System, 280 A.3d 873 (Pa. 2022)).
Successfully argued in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas that a defendant’s sentence of 10 to 20 years should be vacated, and a new trial should be granted based on prior counsel’s ineffective representation.
Defended a client in Philadelphia Municipal Court charged with DUI, aggravated assault by vehicle DUI, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person involving a severe motor vehicle accident where the other driver had substantial injuries. Obtained a sentence of four years of probation for misdemeanor charges.
Defended plaintiffs and defendants in final restraining order trials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey where substantial issues of rights and liabilities were at issue.
New Jersey State Matters
Obtained an official pardon from then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for a Pennsylvania business owner who was convicted of unlawful possession of a handgun. The client, who had no prior criminal record, had been target shooting and inadvertently left his hunting rifles in his vehicle when driving in New Jersey. After filing a petition for executive clemency — and following numerous phone calls, emails and in-person interviews — Christie granted the pardon, one of only 27 granted during his eight years in office.
Obtained a complete dismissal of charges in New Jersey Municipal Court on behalf of a national company’s employee who was charged with criminal trespass and mischief in connection with a job-related incident.
Represented an individual in criminal litigation involving allegations of falsifying a subordination agreement to collect payment in the amount of $760,950 from a Pennsylvania county agricultural conservation. The client was placed into a diversionary program that resulted in the dismissal of the criminal charge and will be eligible for an expungement.
Represented an individual who was charged with assault by auto and related motor vehicle violations for driving while under the influence (DWI) while operating a golf cart; the passenger fell off and sustained a head injury. The client was placed into a diversionary program that resulted in the dismissal of the criminal charge and expungement of the client’s record upon successful completion of the program. The DWI was dismissed, and the individual entered a guilty plea to a reckless driving with a six-month loss of license.
Defended a client in New Jersey Superior Court accused of endangering the welfare of a child for DWI with a minor in the vehicle. The client was placed into a diversionary program that resulted in the dismissal of the criminal charge and expungement of the client’s record.
Advocated for an appellee in the New Jersey Appellate Division in an extensive brief where the appellant challenged the dismissal of a temporary restraining order.
Education Matters
Represented a client in connection with felony criminal charges, protection from abuse and Title IX disciplinary violations. All criminal charges against the client were dismissed after the university found the client not responsible for multiple alleged student conduct violations. As a result, the client did not face expulsion from college and had his criminal record expunged.
Represented a client in connection with alleged Title IX violations. The matter was resolved by an informal resolution, which did not include an adverse finding and allowed the client to remain at the university.
Miscellaneous Matters
Obtained an unprecedented furlough from Federal Correctional Institution, Fort Dix for a client to attend his son’s funeral.
Community Impact
Co-chair of the pro bono committee, Ashley leads efforts in identifying opportunities across Stradley Ronon’s nine locations in which the firm’s lawyers can make a substantial impact on underrepresented populations. She also forges and maintains the firm’s partnerships with pro bono legal organizations that share a commitment to ensuring equitable access to representation. Ashley was also part of the Stradley Ronon team that helped secure the release of a wrongfully convicted client who spent four decades in prison.
Memberships
Board of Directors, Volunteer UP Legal Clinic
Co-Chair, Stradley Ronon Pro Bono Committee
Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)
Treasurer (2024-present)
Co-Chair, Education Committee (2024-present)
Board of Directors (2021-present)
Co-Chair, Rules Committee (2022-24)
White Collar Committee
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Women’s White Collar Defense Association
Co-Chair, Programing Committee, Philadelphia Chapter (2020-23)
National Chapter
New Jersey Chapter
Federal Criminal Law Committee for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey
Camden County Bar Association
Gloucester County Bar Association
Recognitions
Chambers USA (Pennsylvania: Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) (2026)
The Legal 500 US Elite (Philadelphia: White Collar) (2026)
Unsung Heroes, The Legal Intelligencer (2025)
Chambers USA (Up and Coming: Pennsylvania: Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations) (2024-25)
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (White Collar and Criminal Defense) (2024-26)
The Best Lawyers in America (Criminal Defense: General Practice; Criminal Defense: White-Collar) (2025-26)
The Best Lawyers in America (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) (2024)
The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch (Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, Criminal Defense: White Collar) (2021)
Lawyers on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer (2017)
Featured Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “DWI Forum 2025 – The Essential Advanced Practitioner Update,” New Jersey State Bar Association
Presenter, “Ethical AI in Criminal Defense: Balancing Innovation with Responsibility,” PACDL
Presenter, “Legal Perspective: Factors to Consider and Pitfalls to Avoid,” The Institute of Internal Auditors
Presenter, “DUI Across State Lines: Navigating Multi-Jurisdictional Consequences,” PACDL
Moderator, “Clear Their Records: A Refresher on Clean Slate and Expungements” PACDL
Presenter, “DWI Forum 2024 – The Essential Update,” New Jersey State Bar Association
Presenter, “Regional Economic Perspective,” Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
Presenter, “Internal Investigations: Avoiding Legal Pitfalls and Best Practices,” Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey CLE
Presenter, “Summer Trouble at the Jersey Shore,” Stradley Ronon CLE
Presenter, “Crypto Enforcement: Developing Trends in Civil and Criminal Enforcement Efforts by DOJ, SEC and Other Regulators,” Stradley Ronon CLE
Presenter, “Key Considerations for Representing Individuals in Student Conduct Hearings and Parallel Criminal Proceedings,” Camden County Bar Association
Presenter, “Subpoenas, Search Warrants and Government Interviews: Now What?” Camden County Bar Association
Presenter, “Internal Investigations: A Behind the Scenes Look at the Challenges Faced by In-House Counsel,” PACDL White Collar Practice Webinar
Presenter, “Warning: State Attorney General Investigations of COVID-19 Fraud on the Rise and All Industries Are Exposed,” Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)
Panelist, “The Balancing of Perspectives in a Changing Title IX Landscape: Institutions, Complainants, and Respondents,” Montgomery Bar Association
