Norton Rose Fulbright Adds Government Enforcement and Civil Litigation Partner

Norton Rose Fulbright today announced that Michael Edney, an experienced government enforcement and civil litigation lawyer, has joined the global law firm’s Washington, DC office as a partner.

Edney’s practice focuses on government investigations, white collar defense and civil litigation matters. He has represented industry leaders against inquiries launched by the US government and defends a wide range of clients before nearly every agency with enforcement authority, including the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Security Agency (NSA). Edney has led internal investigations on behalf of corporations that have received allegations of wrongdoing and has worked extensively with the audit committees and senior management of many public companies to address such allegations.

Before his clients have received an enforcement call, Edney has often gone to court to overturn regulatory schemes limiting his clients’ business operations. He represents clients before trial and appellate courts both in the US and around the world.

During his career in Washington, DC, Edney has passed between US government service and private practice at two global law firms, joining Norton Rose Fulbright from Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Edney served in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel and as a legal advisor to the White House’s National Security Council during the administration of President George W. Bush.

Linda Addison, US Managing Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright, said:

“Mike’s investigations and white collar practice makes him a great addition to our regulatory enforcement and litigation teams. His background in government and private practice gives him experience that will benefit our clients.”

Gerry Pecht, Norton Rose Fulbright’s Global Head of Dispute Resolution and Litigation, commented:

“Mike further strengthens our accomplished regulation and investigations practice, which helps clients resolve their most challenging issues. Our team has significant experience successfully guiding companies through the most difficult of problems involving the government.”

Edney, who is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Virginia, said:

“Joining Norton Rose Fulbright allows me to expand my opportunities on a truly global level, as US regulators take aim at business operations far outside our borders. Regulatory issues affect the world’s leading corporations, and I look forward to helping our clients navigate through complex issues.”

Edney received his JD, with high honors, from the University of Chicago Law School and his BA, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame.

Edney marks the third notable partner to recently join Norton Rose Fulbright’s regulation and investigations practice. Kevin Harnisch, who served as Branch Chief in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, became Head of SEC Enforcement for the Washington, DC office in November. In January, Mike Munro joined the firm’s Houston office from Transocean Ltd., where he was Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer after serving in global compliance risk positions at Baker Hughes and The Dow Chemical Company.

These key additions join a global regulation and investigations practice consisting of more than 150 lawyers worldwide. US partners with government leadership experience include Richard Smith, former Acting Chief and Principal Deputy Chief for Litigation of the Fraud Section of the US DOJ, Criminal Division, and Bill Leone, former United States Attorney for the District of Colorado.

Source:  www.nortonrosefulbright.com