Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, today announced that Richard S. Hartunian, former United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, will join the firm’s Manhattan and Albany offices as a partner in the corporate investigations and white collar defense practice in August 2017.
A 20-year veteran of the Department of Justice, Hartunian was U.S. Attorney from 2010 through 2017. While in that position, he also served as the chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) in 2016 and 2017, leading the 16 U.S. Attorneys who are responsible for advising the Attorney General on policy, management and operational issues influencing all 94 federal districts across the country. Hartunian was first appointed to the committee in 2013, working with his U.S. Attorney colleagues to fight violent crime, promote border security, improve police/community relations and address the nationwide heroin/opioid abuse epidemic.
At Manatt, Hartunian’s focus will include internal investigations, criminal and regulatory enforcement actions, and high-stakes civil litigation.
“In this heightened and evolving regulatory landscape, Rick’s rare combination of exceptional legal and leadership skills—both inside and outside of the courtroom—will be an invaluable asset to our clients,” said William T. Quicksilver, Manatt’s chief executive officer and managing partner. “With broad-based experience in major, high-profile matters, Rick will provide strong and steady counsel to clients across industries.”
As the federal government's principal litigator in an area that encompasses 32 counties and 3.2 million people, Hartunian worked to strengthen the district’s Civil Division, doubling the number of prosecutors handling civil matters and emphasizing affirmative civil enforcement cases in the areas of healthcare, defense procurement and the environment. He was a member of the AGAC’s Health Care and Environmental Issues Subcommittees, and instituted programs designed to maximize recoveries and inform industry representatives about the district’s increased enforcement efforts.
“Rick possesses incredibly diverse experience on the front lines of civil and criminal enforcement,” said Matt Kanny, chair of Manatt’s national litigation group. “Notably, his work on healthcare, financial services and environmental matters fits perfectly with our industry-leading practices. Our clients will benefit from his strategic, efficient and effective approach to their most sensitive and complex legal challenges. We are fortunate to be able to welcome him to Manatt.”
Hartunian joined the DOJ in 1997 as an Assistant United States Attorney and went on to serve as the Northern District’s Narcotics Chief and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Coordinator from 2006 until being sworn in as the 48th U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York in January 2010. Prior to becoming a federal prosecutor, Hartunian served as an Assistant District Attorney in Albany County from 1990 to 1997, after three years in private practice.
“Coming back to the private sector, after more than two decades as a prosecutor, presented a number of options,” Hartunian said, “and Manatt stood out above all others. The collaborative culture—which shows itself between offices, practices and disciplines—really resonated with me. It’s an environment that values innovation and fosters excellence in client service. Manatt was the right choice and any lawyer would be lucky to be a member of this talented nationwide team.”
When Hartunian’s retirement from the DOJ was announced on June 22, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod J. Rosenstein said, “Throughout his service as a career prosecutor and as United States Attorney, Rick Hartunian has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the cause of justice. He is an excellent colleague and a reliable friend. I thank Rick for his 20 years of distinguished federal service and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”
Hartunian earned an undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences, and received his J.D. from Albany Law School.
The addition was facilitated with the assistance of Brian Burlant and Jon Lindsey of Major, Lindsey & Africa.
About Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, is one of the nation’s leading law and consulting firms, with offices strategically located in California (Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Sacramento), New York (New York City and Albany), Chicago and Washington, D.C. The firm represents a sophisticated client base—including Fortune 500, middle-market and emerging companies—across a range of practice areas and industry sectors. For more information, visit manatt.com.