Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has boosted its City-based investigations practice having relocated white collar partner Keith Krakaur (pictured) from New York to London to head the firm’s European government enforcement and white collar crime practice.
A senior partner and a former federal prosecutor, Krakaur has represented corporate and individual clients in global investigations involving economic sanctions, corrupt practices, money laundering, tax and accounting fraud. He recently advised Crédit Agricole in its resolution of a seven-year, multi-agency sanctions investigation, and ten banks in obtaining non-prosecution agreements under the US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) Swiss Bank Program.
The moves comes as the firm bulks up its international government enforcement and corporate investigations capabilities, having added Hong Kong-based partner Steve Kwok who was the former resident legal adviser for the US DoJ in Beijing, and relocated partners Ryan Junck to London and Bradley Klein to Hong Kong.
There are currently three partners in London, including Krakaur, that focus on corporate crime who work as part of wider government enforcement and white collar team across Europe in Paris, Munich and Moscow.
The London corporate crime practice comes ranked in the top tier in The Legal 500, whichalso recommends Junck.
Skadden’s London office head Pranav Trivedi said: ‘Keith’s leadership will be a significant asset to our capabilities in London and on the European continent as we continue to enhance one of the world’s premier government enforcement and white collar crime practices.’
Krakaur added: ‘Companies – and their executives and boards – are facing a highly challenging global enforcement environment. As US enforcement agencies expand their reach and cooperate with their counterparts in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, we are often asked to quarterback complex, cross-border investigations. I look forward to serving our clients on the ground in London and as a bridge to our white collar capabilities throughout the world.’
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk
