Steptoe Adds SFO Joint Head of Bribery and Corruption Patrick Rappo in London

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Apr 15, 2013, 09:30 ET

LONDON, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that Patrick Rappo, the former joint head of Bribery and Corruption of the UK's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Rappo, who will reside in Steptoe's London office, will practice in the firm's International Regulation & Compliance and Litigation Groups, and will continue the expansion of the firm's FCPA/Anti-Corruption and White-Collar Criminal Defense practices.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130415/PH95179 )

During his five years at the SFO, as a case manager and as joint head of Bribery and Corruption, Mr. Rappo has been involved in a number of high-profile SFO cases including allegations of bribery and corruption, and other forms of serious and complex economic crime. His responsibilities for multi-jurisdictional cases have given him the opportunity to work with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other counterpart authorities around the world. He has also served as the point of contact for self-reporting companies, and has been a key participant in the efforts to introduce deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) in the United Kingdom, overseeing the SFO's Deferred Prosecution Working Group.

In welcoming Mr. Rappo, Steptoe Chair Roger Warin commented, "Patrick's experience with the SFO, particularly in the fraud and corruption area, as well as his prior experience as a barrister handling criminal cases, makes him an excellent fit for Steptoe. Fraud and corruption cases have become increasingly multi-jurisdictional in character in recent years, and the UK is an important jurisdiction for such actions. Patrick's experience at the SFO in conjunction with our strong cross-border FCPA/anti-corruption and white-collar capabilities will provide our UK and international clients with unparalleled service in these matters."

Steptoe's highly regarded FCPA/Anti-Corruption practice, with members in Washington, London, Beijing, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, offers preventive services, including M&A due diligence, compliance program development and implementation and other transaction and operations counseling for multinational companies, as well as representation in government and internal corporate investigations and prosecutions and related civil litigation and arbitration. The group has represented clients before the DOJ, SEC, World Bank, and other bodies, and has performed special board committee investigations and internal investigations for companies, boards of directors, audit committees, and special litigation committees.

"Steptoe's reputation in FCPA and anti-corruption matters, its renowned white-collar team, and its collegial culture, were all instrumental in my decision to leave the government for private practice," said Mr. Rappo. "I am very much looking forward to working with the team and utilizing my experience to assist the firm's current and future clients in addressing the global bribery and corruption challenges they face."

Mr. Rappo is a graduate of Oxford University (Pembroke College). He was called to the bar in 1995 by the Honorable Society of Gray's Inn, and practiced as a barrister in Chambers for 12 years before joining the SFO.

Mr. Rappo will be regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Bar council. He is fluent in French.

About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.

SOURCE Steptoe & Johnson LLP