DOJ's Top Fraud Official and Accomplished Enron Trial Attorney Robb C. Adkins Joins Winston & Strawn's West Coast Practice

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Sep 07, 2011, 11:14 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that nationally recognized trial attorney Robb Adkins has joined its litigation practice as a partner in the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices. Over the past decade, Adkins has served as a federal prosecutor, Enron trial attorney, Chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Orange County, and, for the past two years, as the Executive Director of the President's national Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. At Winston, he will focus on trial practice, corporate internal and government investigations, complex litigation, financial regulation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues, corporate securities fraud, and other enforcement matters.

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As head of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force formed by the President and chaired by the U.S. Attorney General, Adkins was responsible for directing the largest coalition ever assembled to investigate financial fraud. Adkins worked with the highest leaders of the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, and more than 25 other federal and state fraud enforcement agencies and regulators to develop national enforcement strategies, coordinate criminal and civil initiatives, and implement nationwide training and guidance for line prosecutors and regulators.

Prior to leading the Task Force, Adkins spent eight years as a criminal prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, focusing on white-collar fraud prosecutions, and served as the Chief of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Orange County, Calif. for more than two years. During his service as Chief, Adkins supervised an office of more than 40 trial attorneys and staff responsible for all federal criminal matters in a county of more than three million citizens. During his tenure as a line prosecutor and Chief, he served as lead counsel in more than 50 prosecutions and as first chair in complex fraud and corruption trials. Adkins has received widespread recognition for his efforts, including the Attorney General's Award for Exceptional Service, the highest commendation in the DOJ.

From 2005 to 2007, Adkins was a member of the Enron Task Force, serving as a trial attorney in the landmark criminal trial against Enron CEOs Ken Lay and Jeffrey Skilling. He also conducted a separate trial against Ken Lay on bank fraud charges, delivering the opening statement and closing argument, resulting in conviction on all counts.

"Robb brings truly exceptional experience from his challenging work and high-level posts at the DOJ and across the federal agencies," said firm chairman Dan K. Webb. "His extensive involvement in complex securities and corporate governance litigation will greatly increase the depth of our global litigation services and will certainly be welcomed by our corporate clients in the U.S. and abroad."

"Robb is a seasoned litigator with a prominent national reputation. He will be a great asset to our West Coast practice," added Charles S. Birenbaum, managing partner of Winston & Strawn's San Francisco office.

"Robb has a unique blend of experience as an accomplished trial attorney along with his role coordinating the top leadership in fraud enforcement nationwide," said Laura R. Petroff, head of Winston's Los Angeles office. "He will bring to the table an unmatched perspective for our clients."

"I'm excited to join Winston's preeminent global litigation team," Adkins said. "Winston is well known for its highly talented trial lawyers, international platform, and demonstrated excellence on behalf of clients when the stakes are at their highest."

Adkins earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1997. He earned a B.A., with honors, from Stanford University. He previously served as a law clerk for the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international commercial law firm with 15 offices in North America, Asia, and Europe. More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.

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