NEWS

Paul Hastings’ Global Investigations Practice Welcomes Former DOJ Attaché for France and Monaco

October 31, 2019

New York — Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Peter B. Axelrod has joined the firm’s Investigations and White Collar Defense practice as of counsel, based in New York. He comes to the firm from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he served as the Attaché for France and Monaco and previously as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California.

“Clients turn to us for help with their most complex investigations and sensitive white-collar matters,” said Barry Sher, global chair of the Paul Hastings Litigation Department. “Adding outstanding enforcement lawyers like Pete with significant government and international experience to our global Investigations practice is a strategic priority as we grow along with our clients’ evolving needs.”

Mr. Axelrod has led and coordinated complex, high-profile investigations with an international focus throughout his career. He joins Paul Hastings with 17 years of experience at the DOJ. As the Attaché for France and Monaco, Mr. Axelrod served as principal in-country liaison between the DOJ and the French Ministries of Justice and Interior. His responsibilities included advising senior DOJ officials on bilateral enforcement issues, liaising with French officials, and advising the U.S. ambassador on criminal justice matters. In addition, Mr. Axelrod represented the DOJ on all requests in criminal matters for evidence and extradition involving France and Monaco.  Previously he served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, prosecuting a range of cases involving national security matters, economic espionage, money laundering and fraud.

“I’m excited to join Paul Hastings and its leading Investigations and White Collar Defense practice,” said Axelrod. “With its outstanding growth story and deep bench of top litigators, Paul Hastings offers the ideal platform for me to build my practice.”

Axelrod’s arrival adds further momentum to Paul Hastings’ impressive growth. During 2019 the firm has welcomed more than 20 partners and of counsels across its global platform, including White Collar Defense partners Jonathan Drimmer, Matt Herrington and Tom Best in Washington, D.C.

Paul Hastings’ Investigations and White Collar Defense practice is consistently in the top 20 of Global Investigations Review’s (GIR) ranking of the world’s leading cross-border investigations practices, and has been named GIR’s “Most Impressive Investigations Practice.” The practice and its lawyers have also been recognized by The Financial Times, The American Lawyer, Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500, among others.

At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.