Paul Hastings has hired litigation partner and former US Department of Justice official John Buretta in New York.
Buretta joins from Cravath Swaine & Moore, the latest high profile departure from the white-shoe firm this year. Buretta’s highly-regarded practice focuses on advising companies in high-stakes disputes across industries including banking, consumer products and transportation, among others. He will co-chair Paul Hastings’ litigation department.
Sherrese Smith, Paul Hastings’ global managing partner, said: “John is widely recognised as one of the best litigators of his generation – a powerhouse whose deep government roots and strategic mindset make him a formidable force for clients facing bet-the-company disputes.”
Smith added: “His ability to navigate the most complex, high-stakes litigation matters is why he remains a trusted adviser to boards and global enterprises alike. His arrival moves our already top-of-market litigation practice to another level and further demonstrates that Paul Hastings is a destination for elite talent.”
Buretta joins after 12 years as a partner at Cravath, having previously spent more than 11 years at the DOJ across a number of roles, including as principal deputy assistant attorney general – the second highest ranking lawyer in the Criminal Division – and chief of staff, and as director of the Deepwater Horizon Task Force. He was also chief of the organised crime and racketeering section for the Eastern District of New York, among other titles.
He had two other prior spells at Cravath broken up by a year clerking to judge Peter Leisure in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
He said: “Paul Hastings offers a unique opportunity to combine my experience in materially significant legal challenges, complex litigation, investigations, regulatory enforcement and compliance matters, shareholder demands and civil disputes with a global platform recognised for its innovative approach to litigation in virtually any jurisdiction.
“I look forward to joining forces with the firm’s team to help our clients navigate their most sensitive trial, regulatory and compliance issues worldwide.”
Buretta’s exit from Cravath follows the departures of financial institutions group head and Washington DC office managing partner Jelena McWilliams to Plaid, tax lawyer Andrew Davis to Paul Hastings and national security lawyer Ben Joseloff to Davis Polk & Wardwell, Bloomberg Law reported.
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