Global law firm Baker McKenzie has added former US Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein in Washington, DC as a Partner in its Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice Group. As chair of the firm’s National Security Practice, Rod leads a team of former US government officials, former prosecutors, trade practitioners, and data privacy and cyber lawyers.

One of the most well-known and respected white-collar practitioners in the United States, Rod assists clients with sensitive regulatory, enforcement, and litigation challenges. Rod brings more than three decades of experience resolving complex criminal and civil matters, including government investigations and white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation, national security, crisis management, congressional investigations, cyber issues, tax controversies, internal investigations, compliance, and monitoring.

Rod served in the US Department of Justice for almost 30 years. He held senior political appointments during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, including as Deputy Attorney General, US Attorney for Maryland and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Tax Division. Rod previously served as an Assistant US Attorney and a Criminal Division trial attorney and personally represented the United States in 23 jury trials while arguing 21 appeals in appellate courts and the US Supreme Court. He also served as a law clerk to Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

“Rod’s stature and reputation as a leading white-collar practitioner and trial lawyer are unparalleled,” said Widge Devaney, Chair of Baker McKenzie’s North America Litigation and Government Enforcement Practice. “His experience and familiarity with the highest levels of government and the courts, along with his extensive work on both government enforcement and complex civil litigation since leaving the government, will be invaluable to our clients.”

Rod will chair Baker McKenzie’s National Security Practice, which offers comprehensive legal services to clients in all industries to address the panoply of legal risks related to US government oversight, enforcement and national security concerns. The team provides strategic advice, counseling and representation on a broad range of enforcement, investigation, regulatory and compliance matters, including FCPA, Anti-Money Laundering, sanctions and export control, customs and import compliance, CFIUS and foreign investment, cybersecurity and data privacy, as well as crisis management and reputational risk.

“Rod brings impeccable credentials, with an insider’s understanding of the enforcement environment and a keen awareness of the unique challenges our clients face,” said Maurice Bellan, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie’s Washington, DC office and head of the Firm’s Government Contracts team. “He joins our growing team of practitioners with senior-level government experience providing nuanced, practical guidance to clients in an increasingly tense business and geopolitical environment.”

Added Colin Murray, Baker McKenzie’s North America Chief Executive, “We are thrilled to add Rod to our team in Washington, DC, and his background perfectly augments our white-collar defense and investigations capabilities. Clients looking for nuanced guidance on major investigations and sensitive matters will find Rod’s experience and knowledge indispensable.”

Rod will be a member of the North America Litigation & Government Enforcement Practice as well as the Global Disputes Practice. Baker McKenzie has added several leading practitioners in recent months advising on trade, investigations, disputes, and cybersecurity issues, including Jon Cowley in Chicago and Justin Becker, Christa Anderson and Chandri Navarro in Washington, DC.

“I am excited about working with Baker McKenzie’s exceptional team to deliver unparalleled legal services to our clients,” said Rod. “With more than 70 offices and 4500 lawyers, Baker McKenzie is one of the most recognized law firm brands throughout the world. Baker McKenzie’s global presence enables us to offer unique insights about how to limit risk, promote compliance, and favorably resolve disputes wherever they arise.”

About Rod J. Rosenstein

Rod earned a JD cum laude from Harvard Law School, and a BS in Economics summa cum laude from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He held the following government positions:

• US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit (Law Clerk to Judge Douglas Ginsburg, 1989-1990)
• Public Integrity Section, US Department of Justice (Trial Attorney, 1990-1993)
• Office of the US Deputy Attorney General (Counsel, 1993-1994)
• Criminal Division, US Department of Justice (Special Assistant, 1994-1995)
• Office of Independent Counsel (Associate Independent Counsel, 1995-1997)
• US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland (Assistant US Attorney, 1997-2001)
• Tax Division, US Department of Justice (Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, 2001-2005)
• US Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland (United States Attorney, 2005-2017)
• US Department of Justice (Deputy Attorney General, 2017-2019)