Daniel Gitner, Former Chief of SDNY's Criminal Division, Joins Debevoise as Partner

NEW YORK, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP announces that Daniel Gitner has joined the firm's New York office as a partner in the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group. Mr. Gitner, who served from 2021 to 2025 as Chief of the Criminal Division for the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York, will advise corporations and institutions across a broad range of white collar matters—especially those involving complex, large-scale crises and those going to trial.

Mr. Gitner, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2020, brings to the firm decades of experience as both a veteran prosecutor and a senior white collar criminal defense lawyer known for his trial skills. As head of SDNY's Criminal Division, Mr. Gitner oversaw all criminal investigations and prosecutions and a team of over 175 attorneys, investigators and staff, and regularly coordinated with leadership at other components of the Department of Justice and various federal and state law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gitner spent 15 years in private practice, leading high profile matters and trials including those involving allegations of fraud, market manipulation, insider trading, public corruption, sanctions and foreign corrupt practices.  

Peter Furci, Presiding Partner, said, "Clients facing their most serious, high-stakes crises have long turned to our renowned white collar group, and Dan will be an exceptional addition to the practice. His broad-gauged capabilities and background as both a defense lawyer and senior government lawyer bolster our ability to deliver strong outcomes to our clients." 

Andrew Ceresney, Co-Chair of the firm's Litigation Department and past Director of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities and Exchange commission, said "While Dan's primary focus will be white collar matters and investigations, he also brings first-chair trial capabilities, which are increasingly critical for our clients. We expect that Dan's expertise in this area will be in strong demand across the full litigation department."  

Helen Cantwell, Co-Chair of the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group and former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant Manhattan District Attorney, said, "When clients are facing their most serious white collar matters, they need all the legal firepower they can get, and we know Dan can deliver. He brings to our clients exceptional leadership, trial and crisis management capabilities, and will be a powerful addition to our team." 

Mr. Gitner said, "Having worked with and across from Debevoise lawyers for many years, I know its reputation as the preeminent white collar firm is well deserved. I'm excited to contribute to the collaborative culture that makes the firm such a special place."

Mr. Gitner will join the Group's distinguished roster of more than a dozen former senior federal prosecutors and regulators, including partners Mary Jo White, past U.S. Attorney for the SDNY and past Chair of the SEC; Mr. Ceresney; Ms. Cantwell; and David O'Neil, Co-Chair of the White Collar & Regulatory Defense Group and former head of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, Nicholas Folly, former Deputy Chief of SDNY's Criminal Division, joined the firm's San Francsico office.

Mr. Gitner received his J.D. in 1995 from Columbia Law School, where he was a Stone Scholar, and his B.A. in 1992 from Cornell University, cum laude with honors and distinction in all subjects. Following his graduation from Columbia, Mr. Gitner clerked for the Honorable Naomi Reice Buchwald and the Honorable Barbara S. Jones, both in the Southern District of New York. 

SOURCE Debevoise & Plimpton LLP