Veteran Federal Prosecutor Follows Successful Trial Against Former Sheriff Mike Carona With Move Into High-Stakes Private Practice
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – June 30, 2009 – Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Kenneth B. Julian has joined the firm as a litigation partner in the rapidly growing national trial practice. Prior to joining Manatt, Julian was a federal prosecutor for more than 11 years, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief, in the Central District of California.
“I did not take the decision to return to private practice lightly. I wanted to join a highly respected trial practice within a sterling firm that has deep resources across many practice areas. Manatt has it all,” said Julian. “Manatt never shies away from high-pressure cases in the public spotlight. I look forward to working alongside attorneys with such a strong reputation in the white collar defense arena.”
Julian joins Manatt just as the firm’s trial practice caps a year unrivalled by any American Lawyer 200 firm. These victories include securing a $26.25 million settlement for retired NFL players1 and a stunning $631 million trial verdict for ICO Global Communications2. Manatt successfully defended Blue Shield of California3 in a hotly contested insurance bad faith case. This win, which significantly defined a health plan’s duties in California, was recently confirmed on appeal.
During his tenure as a federal prosecutor, Julian led high-profile criminal cases in many business sectors, including healthcare, banking and securities fraud. He tried 15 federal cases, all of which resulted in convictions, including the public corruption case against former Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona.
“With allegations of regulatory misconduct more often leading to criminal charges, it has never been more important to ensure clients a fair trial with a solid defense,” explained Chad Hummel, Manatt’s national chair of the Litigation Division. “Ken's exemplary prosecution experience further strengthens the strategic approach we bring to challenging and complex cases in the Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense practice and throughout the firm.”
“Ken Julian was widely celebrated during his tenure at the U.S. Attorney’s office and we have been watching him for many years. His addition positions us to exceed what has already been a championship year for Manatt’s trial team. Drafting superstar trial talent like Ken is our industry’s equivalent of LeBron James joining the Lakers,” said Bob Zeavin, co-chair of Manatt's firm-wide Trial Practice.
Julian earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, and his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He will be based in the firm’s Orange County office.
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) 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 www.manatt.com.
1Adderley v. the NFL Players Association (based on the original jury verdict of $28.1 million).
2Boeing Satellite Systems International v. ICO Global Communications – the Los Angeles Daily Journal’s 2008 Verdict of the Year.
3Watanabe v. Blue Shield of California.