Akin Gump announces that Katherine Goldstein has joined the firm as a partner in its white collar defense and government investigations practice in New York.
Ms. Goldstein has extensive government and private practice experience. She spent nearly a dozen years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), including serving as Chief of SDNY’s prestigious Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force—the first woman to hold that position since the 1980s. Ms. Goldstein comes to Akin Gump from Milbank LLP.
“Katie is a terrific addition to our highly acclaimed white collar team,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “Her stellar reputation, strong ties throughout the white collar community and deep public sector experience will translate into a winning combination for our clients. I am delighted to welcome Katie to Akin Gump.”
Ms. Goldstein represents companies and their senior executives in government and corporate investigations, criminal and regulatory enforcement proceedings, and related private litigation. She has represented boards of directors and special board committees of public companies in securities-related investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She recently represented an audit committee of the board of directors of a publicly traded company in connection with an SEC investigation into the company’s revenue recognition practices that included counselling the committee through a multiyear restatement of its financial reporting.
Ms. Goldstein is an accomplished trial lawyer, both from her time as a prosecutor and as a criminal defense attorney. Among her most recent trial work was the representation of an individual defendant in a criminal insider trading trial in the United States District Court for the SDNY.
“Katie is a recognized leader in insider trading and securities fraud investigations,” said Jim Benjamin, leader of Akin Gump’s white collar and government investigations practice. “As a former federal prosecutor with significant public and private sector experience, Katie offers thoughtful advice and powerful advocacy for clients facing high-stakes investigations. She is an exceptional lawyer with tremendous skills both in and out of the courtroom and is particularly well respected within the financial sector. I am thrilled to welcome her as a member of our team.”
Added Ms. Goldstein, “Akin Gump’s white collar practice has a first-class platform with tremendous experience in handling complex investigations and enforcement matters. The group includes an exceedingly strong group of lawyers—many of whom I know well—and I am excited to call them my colleagues. This is a great opportunity, and I look forward to this next step in my career.”