Former federal prosecutor Lynn Neils joins Covington & Burling’s litigation group as a partner, strengthening the firm’s highly regarded white collar practice. She will be resident in Covington’s New York office.

A prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Southern District of New York and the District of New Jersey for more than 11 years, Ms. Neils investigated and prosecuted all manner of criminal cases, including health care fraud, financial institution fraud, insurance fraud, tax fraud, securities fraud, money laundering and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Ms. Neils’s leadership positions in the Southern District included chief of the Major Crimes Unit and coordinator of the Criminal Health Fraud Unit.

Following her tenure as a federal prosecutor, Ms. Neils was senior counsel at Johnson & Johnson, where she was responsible for handling criminal and internal investigations and advising on compliance and regulatory matters, including those related to the FCPA. Most recently, Ms. Neils practiced as a white-collar partner at an international law firm.

Timothy Hester, chair of the firm’s management committee, said clients will benefit from Ms. Neils’s valuable insights and skills as a seasoned white-collar practitioner with extensive prosecutorial, corporate and private practice experience.

“We are delighted to welcome Lynn to Covington,” Mr. Hester said. “Her addition to our litigation and trial practice in New York will enhance our ability to handle major white collar defense matters and complex trial representations for our clients — particularly in the financial services, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.”

Ms. Neils said Covington, with its top-notch pharmaceutical industry and litigation practices, offered a wonderful platform. “I look forward to working with the impressive array of gifted lawyers at Covington and providing trial support to clients in both civil and criminal matters,” she said.

Ms. Neils earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

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