Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that David A. O’Neil, former Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division and former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Fraud Section at the Department of Justice, has joined the firm as a partner in Washington, D.C. as a member of the firm’s White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group and Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice.
Mr. O’Neil’s eight-year government career included increasingly high-profile positions within the DOJ. In 2014, he was designated by the President and Attorney General to lead the Criminal Division, where he was responsible for supervising more than 600 attorneys investigating and prosecuting the full range of federal crimes, including corporate malfeasance, cybercrime, fraud offenses and money laundering.
“David’s long and increasingly visible tenure in government service has given him broad experience and a sterling reputation in the kinds of cases that are at the heart of our White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group,” said Bruce E. Yannett, Deputy Presiding Partner of the firm and Chair of the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group. “David’s front-line experience at the DOJ, including in the fields of cybersecurity and data privacy, will provide another tremendous asset to our clients and further expand our team of exceptional partners known for their expertise.”
Debevoise’s White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group excels in high-profile, complex representations for clients facing corporate crises. The Group’s depth of experience and global reach allows for effective and strategic counsel with international and domestic clients, from defending against criminal prosecutions and civil enforcement actions, to conducting internal investigations, negotiating complex global settlements and facilitating cooperation with government regulators. Ranked as a leading firm for Technology: Data Protection and Privacy by Legal 500 US, Debevoise assists clients with a broad range of privacy, data protection and data security matters. The cross-border, interdisciplinary team has special expertise in helping clients navigate the forensic and legal aftermath of data breaches.
“We are delighted to welcome David to Debevoise,” said Mary Beth Hogan, Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “His impressive rise within the ranks of the Department of Justice is a testament to his superior legal judgment, work ethic and supervisory skills. David’s unique background in government enforcement will be invaluable to clients facing these critical issues.”
Mr. O’Neil has experience across a broad range of high-profile matters, including the most significant FCPA prosecutions, the LIBOR investigations and high-profile investigations of financial institutions for money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act violations. He is a Harvard law graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree at Princeton University and clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. You can learn more about Mr. O’Neil’s extensive background here.
“I am honored to be joining Debevoise,” Mr. O’Neil said. “The firm’s unique culture and lockstep structure allow its lawyers to focus on the same goal: working together to help clients. I look forward to contributing to the firm’s legendary White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group and its strong Cybersecurity & Data Privacy practice. I am particularly excited to continue expanding the firm’s capacity in Washington, D.C. to address the government enforcement, congressional and cybersecurity challenges facing clients.”
About the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group
The White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group is made up of highly experienced career defense lawyers, as well as former federal prosecutors and regulators. The team is a key practice within Debevoise’s Litigation Department, which was named The American Lawyer’s “Litigation Department of the Year” in 2014. The Group’s recent representations include advising Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Sales USA in connection with investigations into reports that drivers of certain models were experiencing unintended acceleration, and resulted in the resolution of investigations conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the attorneys general for 29 states and American Samoa.
About the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice
Debevoise provides clients with advice on a broad range of privacy, data protection and data security issues. The firm’s cross-border and interdisciplinary lawyers offer regulatory counseling in the United States, Europe and Asia, defend clients in government enforcement actions, litigate privacy-related class actions and other matters, and handle financial services transactions where data protection and security matters arise. The firm is currently conducting an internal investigation for the Board of Directors of a U.S. company that experienced a cyber attack.
About Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. The firm’s commercially savvy lawyers regularly lead strategic transactions and complex disputes for world-class clients.