White Collar Litigator Abbe D. Lowell Rejoins Chadbourne & Parke

NEW YORK, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The international law firm of Chadbourne & Parke LLP announced today that nationally renowned, high-profile criminal and civil litigator and trial attorney Abbe D. Lowell has rejoined the Firm as a partner, splitting his time between Washington, D.C., and New York.

Mr. Lowell returns to Chadbourne to head its White Collar Defense and Special Litigation and Investigations Group, a position he held from 2003 to 2007 and which he held at McDermott Will & Emery's D.C. Office for the last several years.  

Mr. Lowell is one of the nation's leading white collar defense and trial attorneys. He has an impressive track record of successfully representing companies and individuals in complex investigations, criminal and civil trials, appeals, and congressional and agency investigations across the United States.  

His talents and accomplishments have been recognized by numerous news organizations and publications, including The National Law Journal, which just last month cited him as one of the "Most Influential Lawyers" in the United States (a list of only 34 lawyers); The Washingtonian, which has named him one of its top attorneys every year since 1986 when it first conducted this survey; Chambers; Legal Times, which recognized him as one of the best white collar lawyers in Washington; Best Lawyers in America and Roll Call (a Capitol Hill newspaper), which has included him as one of the attorneys whose business card people should keep in their address books.

Within the past few months Mr. Lowell tried a 30 day federal criminal trial in Puerto Rico, litigated an appeal in New York, argued a freedom of information case in California, testified before congressional committees about proposed changes to the Espionage Act (and issues raised by the release of confidential information by Wiki Leaks) as well as the Honest Services Criminal Act (after the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated that statute), and chaired a widely attended program at Washington's Newseum on the First Amendment and criminal prosecutions.

"I am proud to welcome my friend and partner Abbe Lowell back to Chadbourne," said Andrew A. Giaccia, the Firm's Managing Partner.  "Abbe is not only one of the best white collar and trial attorneys in the United States, he is also a world class advisor to clients facing legal, political, market or media controversies.  We look forward to having Abbe help us and our domestic and international clients navigate today's increasingly complex worlds of white collar, securities and business investigations and compliance, especially when those clients face the possibility of trials and high profile attention from the media."

"Sometimes law firms are hesitant to 'embrace' a partner who had left," Mr. Giaccia added.  "In Abbe's case, there was real enthusiasm and not a moment of hesitation when this opportunity arose."

For his part, Mr. Lowell also looks forward to rejoining Chadbourne. "Chadbourne & Parke is a unique firm. It was among the first to recognize that it could project its commitment to and track record of excellent legal work internationally and yet maintains a hard to find collegial setting where partners really know and help one another," he said. "I am glad to be returning to my friends and colleagues at Chadbourne and excited about continuing my collaboration with my friend Andy Giaccia and many other talented Chadbourne lawyers."

"Chadbourne is a firm that emphasizes its core competencies and practice strengths throughout its 12 offices and maintains a commitment to traditional values of making sure that its attorneys are truly counselors to their clients. Its rich history and recent successes make it an ideal place for my practice now and what I expect it will be in the future," Mr. Lowell added.

Mr. Lowell has successfully tried dozens of high profile criminal and civil jury cases throughout the country.  The criminal cases involved charges of public corruption, securities fraud, bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, mail and wire fraud, election law violations, conspiracy and money laundering.  His civil cases included claims of breach of contract and fiduciary duty, unfair trade and business practices, employment discrimination and civil rights violations, securities fraud, negligence, and civil RICO claims.  

In addition to his representation of private clients, Mr. Lowell was appointed Chief Investigative Minority Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Impeachment of President Clinton; Special Counselor to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva; and Special Counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives Ethics Committee.  Prior to entering private practice, he held various positions in the Department of Justice including Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Lowell has also briefed and argued over two dozen federal or state court appeals, including arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.  He represents and prepares individuals and businesses called before grand juries and Congressional committees, or summoned to provide other testimony as witnesses, and has counseled numerous clients in state attorney general, office of inspector general, and other federal agency inquiries.

Mr. Lowell provides advice on the law, ethics and strategy concerning clients' dealings with the federal government.  He has also represented more than 35 elected officials or their campaign committees, providing advice under the Federal Election Commission Act, the Ethics in Government Act, and other similar rules and regulations governing campaign contributions, filing of election forms, filing of financial disclosure information and gifts.

He also teaches criminal procedure, evidence, and trial practice at Columbia Law School and Georgetown Law School and has contributed numerous articles to law reviews, legal newspapers and daily newspapers.

About Chadbourne & Parke LLP

Chadbourne & Parke LLP, an international law firm headquartered in New York City, provides a full range of legal services, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, project finance, private funds, corporate finance, venture capital and emerging companies, energy/renewable energy, communications and technology, commercial and products liability litigation, arbitration/IDR,  securities litigation and regulatory enforcement, special investigations and litigation, intellectual property, antitrust, domestic and international tax, reinsurance and insurance, environmental, real estate, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, employment law and ERISA, trusts and estates and government contract matters. Major geographical areas of concentration include Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, the Middle East and Latin America. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, London, Moscow, Warsaw, Kyiv, Almaty, Dubai and Beijing. For additional information, visit www.chadbourne.com.

SOURCE Chadbourne & Parke LLP