Linklaters is pleased to announce that Richard C. Smith has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as partner in the Dispute Resolution practice.

Richard focuses on complex litigation, white collar criminal defense, and U.S.-centric and transnational corporate internal investigations for public and private companies. He has extensive experience representing corporations and their employees in grand jury investigations, and criminal trials and regulatory hearings, federal and state criminal prosecutions, criminal antitrust investigations and prosecutions, and healthcare fraud investigations.

He has a track record of representing leading clients such as the Odebrecht Group and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).

Prior to entering private practice, Richard spent 15 years as a senior government prosecutor and was the former Principal Deputy Chief for Litigation of the Fraud Section of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division. There he supervised the litigation activities of all trial attorneys in the investigation, indictment, and trial of criminal matters involving violations of conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, false books and records, obstruction of justice, money laundering, healthcare fraud, FCPA, and RICO statutes among others.

Michael Bennett, head of Linklaters’ global Dispute Resolution practice commented:
“We are delighted to have Richard join our Dispute Resolution Practice, in addition to his impressive trial and litigation credentials, he further enhances our U.S. regulatory, white collar crime and FCPA capabilities for our clients.”

Richard joins a distinguished global dispute resolution practice that maintains one of the deepest and most globally integrated practices in the world with a distinctive track record of succeeding for clients in the most sensitive and complex investigations and disputes.

Adam Lurie, head of Linklaters’ U.S. Dispute Resolution Practice and Washington, D.C. office, added:
“We are thrilled to have Richard join the firm. I’ve worked across from Richard on high-profile cases and our clients will benefit from his extensive experience, outstanding judgment and exceptional advocacy skills. He is a great addition to our global and U.S. team, and I’m excited he is with us in the U.S.”

Richard joins from Quinn Emanuel where he was a partner in their Washington, D.C. office. Prior to that, he spent over a decade as a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, where he was a member of the Executive Committee, Head of the United States Regulatory and Governmental Investigations Practice, and Chair of the firm’s Global White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice Group.