Former DOJ Criminal Fraud Chief Joins Bracewell & Giuliani's White Collar Defense Team in DC

WASHINGTON, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bracewell & Giuliani LLP announced that Richard W. Beckler, former Chief of the Criminal Fraud Section of the United States Department of Justice, has joined the firm as a partner in its White Collar Defense, Internal Investigations and Regulatory Enforcement practice. He joins the firm in Washington, DC, where he will head up that office's litigation team. Immediately prior to joining the firm, Beckler served as co-head of the Securities Litigation, Government Enforcement and White Collar Defense practice at Howrey LLP.

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Beckler's practice focuses on complex civil and criminal litigation, including defense of corporate and individual clients, both foreign and domestic, in investigations and at trial. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

"I'm pleased to be welcoming Dick to the firm," said Rudolph W. Giuliani. "His unique, combined public service experience as a Navy officer, Manhattan Assistant DA and Department of Justice Chief, together with longtime private practice work in securities litigation, will be invaluable to our team and clients," added Mayor Giuliani.

As former Chief of the Criminal Fraud Section of the Department of Justice, Beckler headed a task force on foreign payment cases and worked closely with officials from the Department of the Treasury, the SEC and the Department of State. He also was lead counsel for Admiral John Poindexter in the Iran-Contra investigation and trial, and Bill Casey, former CIA Director, in "Debategate," an FBI and grand jury investigation involving debate briefing books stolen before a debate between President Carter and President-elect Reagan. Previously, Beckler was an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

Beckler has worked on cases involving securities fraud, false statements, RICO, banking fraud, oil and gas pricing schemes, procurement fraud, the False Claims Act, internal investigations, insider trading, healthcare fraud, patent and trademark lawsuits, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), environmental criminal defense, class action and shareholder suits, and criminal and civil antitrust matters. He has experience in both prosecuting and defending major corporations in cases alleging FCPA violations and has advised numerous clients on FCPA due diligence and compliance programs.

"Our distinguished White Collar team has former Justice Department officials based in our Connecticut, New York, Dallas, and Houston offices, and now in DC with the addition of Dick," said Kevin O'Connor, head of Bracewell & Giuliani's White Collar practice. "We're proud to provide our clients a depth of experience and insider's view that reassures them we know exactly how to respond to any government investigation," added O'Connor.

"We have a team of highly skilled litigators that have represented corporate and individual clients in some of the most high-profile and complex cases of recent times," said Marc Mukasey, founder of Bracewell's White Collar practice. "Dick is a perfect fit for this team, and we look forward to working with him," added Mukasey.

About Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (www.bgllp.com) is an international law firm with more than 470 lawyers in Texas, New York, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, Seattle, Dubai, and London. We serve Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions, leading private investment funds, governmental entities and individuals concentrated in the energy, technology and financial services sectors worldwide.

SOURCE Bracewell & Giuliani LLP