The firm has appointed a senior US Department of Justice lawyer to its team. Matt Axelrod joins the firm’s global dispute resolution practice in a move to bolster the firm's government risk team. It follows on from the appointment of another DOJ lawyer, Adam Lurie, who joined as head of the firm’s litigation and government Investigations practice in Washington last year. 

High ranking

Mr Alexrod served as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General - one of DOJ's highest ranking officials and a member of its senior leadership team. He advised the Deputy Attorney General and the Attorney General on every significant matter within DOJ, including all major Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, money laundering, health care fraud and other white-collar cases and policy directives. He was heavily involved in the development and implementation of DOJ’s policy concerning individual accountability for corporate wrongdoing (known as the 'Yates Memo') and personally reviewed every corporate resolution over $200 million. He also took the lead in advising on crisis management within DOJ, working closely with the White House, Congress, the FBI, and the media on DOJ’s most sensitive and high-profile matters. 

Strong relationships

During his time at DOJ he developed strong relationships with senior officials across government including on Capitol Hill, with regulators and law enforcement agencies and with the country's United States Attorneys.  He also received the Assistant Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. He previously spent six years as a federal prosecutor in Miami, where he tried 19 felony jury cases and argued three cases before the Eleventh Circuit. As well as his public service roles, Matt has worked in private practice for major law firms in Boston and Washington DC.

Government risk

Michael Bennett, head of Linklaters’ global dispute resolution practice, said: 'Matt’s hire is a key development in progressing Linklaters’ global ambitions to strengthen further our government risk, FCPA and civil litigation offering. We are delighted to have Matt join our Dispute Resolution Practice as, in addition to his impressive litigation credentials, he further enhances our US regulatory, white collar crime and FCPA capabilities for our clients in the US and globally.'

Regulatory regime impact

Scott Bowie, head of Linklaters’ global US practice, said: 'Our clients have increasingly been experiencing the impact of the complex and evolving regulatory regime created by the reach of FCPA and other regulations. We are reacting to our clients’ needs by bringing Matt on board and he is one in a series of expansions most recently evidenced by the hires of Adam Lurie to head our Litigation and Government Investigations practice in Washington, DC and Doug Tween to our US Cartel and Government Investigations practice.'