Orrick Hires Former Federal Prosecutor and White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer; Walt Brown to Join Orrick as Litigation Partner in the Firm's San Francisco Office

Business Wire, June 17, 2003

Business Editors/Legal Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 2003

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP announced today that leading white collar criminal defense lawyer and former federal prosecutor Walt Brown has joined the firm as a partner in its litigation practice. He will be based in the firm's San Francisco office.

"Walt is part of a new generation of white collar crime practitioners, and one of the very best in the country," said Ralph Baxter, chairman and CEO of Orrick. "His unique blend of prosecutorial and private practice experience makes him an invaluable resource for our clients, and he will add depth and dimension to our expanding litigation team."

Dan Thomasch, managing director of advocacy practices, added, "Walt brings a deep expertise in white collar crime, and he joins at a time when demand for these services has never been higher. The timing of his arrival couldn't be better and we're thrilled to have him join the team."

"Orrick's litigation team is comprised of an outstanding group of lawyers, and I look forward to strengthening the white collar crime practice," said Walt Brown. "Orrick is a solid international firm with tremendous momentum behind it, yet maintains a sense of culture that I have grown to appreciate. I am excited about the opportunity to expand the firm's white collar criminal defense capabilities."

Brown's work includes the representation of companies and individuals in connection with investigations involving securities, antitrust, health care and other regulatory matters. Among other things, he has developed expertise in the energy sector, based in part upon his involvement in a number of investigations arising out of California's energy crisis.

From 1989 to 1994, Walt was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California in Los Angeles. During his nearly five years there, he tried approximately 20 felony cases to verdict in the United States District Court. In his final two years he served in the Government Fraud and Public Corruption Section.

He joins Orrick from Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich, where he was a partner in the firm's litigation practice. From 1994 to 2001, he was member of Thelen Reid and Priest's business litigation team. He was elected partner there in 1996 and headed Thelen's white collar practice.

He earned his B.A. degree from U.C. Berkeley in 1982, and his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1985. Walt currently serves as a member of the Northern District and Ninth Circuit Criminal Justice Act defense panels.

About Orrick

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's lawyers serve clients from 12 offices around the world: San Francisco, New York, Silicon Valley, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, Pacific Northwest, London, Milan, Paris, and Tokyo.