Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that Sarah Coyne, former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York (“EDNY”) and Chief of the Business and Securities Fraud Section, has joined the firm’s New York office as a counsel in the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group.

Ms. Coyne has been a federal prosecutor for 14 years, starting in the District of New Jersey, then moving to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the EDNY, where she worked for the past 11 years. As a prosecutor, Ms. Coyne tried numerous cases to verdict and prosecuted or supervised a number of high-profile matters, including those involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, securities and investment fraud, and off-label promotion in the healthcare space. She has tried 14 jury trials and argued seven successful appeals before the Second Circuit, and one before the Third Circuit. As Chief of the Business and Securities Fraud Section, Ms. Coyne supervised 15 prosecutors working on white collar criminal matters.

“We are very pleased to welcome Sarah to Debevoise,” said Mary Beth Hogan, Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department. “Her proven track record of successfully managing a broad range of complex, high-profile white collar-related prosecutions makes her an ideal fit for the firm.”

Debevoise’s White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group excels in 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.

Ms. Coyne is the fourth significant hire in the firm’s White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group this year. In January, Debevoise welcomed 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; and Matthew L. Biben, former General Counsel of Consumer & Community Banking at JPMorgan Chase and a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, as partners in the Washington, D.C. and New York offices, respectively. In addition, Mark Johnson, a highly regarded white collar lawyer based in Asia, will be joining the firm as a partner in the Hong Kong office next week. Debevoise now offers clients an unparalleled lineup of deep regulatory and white collar strength in each of the key markets of the U.S., London, Europe and Hong Kong.

Prior to entering government service, Ms. Coyne clerked for two years for the Hon. Maryanne Trump Barry, both at the District Court level and at the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She earned her J.D. in 1998 from New York University School of Law, and received her B.A. from Georgetown University, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in 1993.

“I am excited to join Debevoise,” Ms. Coyne said. “I have long been impressed with the firm’s stellar reputation, and I look forward to working with the highly regarded White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group as I begin the next phase of my career.”

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 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.