Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced today that Raphael (“Rafi”) A. Prober, Karen E. Christian and Martine E. Cicconi have joined the Firm’s Litigation Department and Government and Internal Investigations Practice as partners based in the Washington, D.C. office. Rafi and Karen will serve as Co-Heads of the Firm’s Congressional Investigations Practice and Martine will lead the Firm’s State Attorneys General team.
“Rafi, Karen and Martine’s collective bipartisan expertise will be an extraordinary asset to clients navigating challenges and scrutiny from multiple fronts,” said Alden Millard, Chair of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “We’re excited to welcome them to the Firm.”
The team joins from Akin Gump, where Rafi and Karen served as Co-Heads of Akin’s Congressional Investigations Practice, and where Martine served as Co-Leader of the State Attorneys General Practice.
“With a unique combination of public and private sector experience, Rafi, Karen and Martine are trusted strategists for navigating legal exposure, reputational risk and parallel litigation and regulatory proceedings,” said Lynn Neuner, Global Co-Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department. “They are among the most talented lawyers in this space. Their arrival further expands our premier Government and Internal Investigations Practice, deepening our ability to guide clients through their most sensitive and significant challenges,” added Jon Youngwood, Global Co-Chair of the Firm’s Litigation Department.
“Rafi and Karen are widely known for their expertise in guiding clients through all stages of Congressional investigations and other high-stakes situations, from counseling on risk mitigation strategies all the way through to standing alongside clients giving testimony in hearing rooms on the Hill,” said Nick Goldin and Jeff Knox, Global Co-Heads of the Firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice. “Martine’s deep experience with state AG investigations and litigating in state and federal courts will be invaluable for clients.”
“Simpson Thacher is well-known for its exceptional global platform and collaborative culture,” said Rafi, Karen and Martine. “We look forward to working together with world-class lawyers to deliver strategic solutions for clients facing Congressional and other governmental scrutiny.”
Raphael (“Rafi”) A. Prober is a highly respected authority on Congressional and governmental investigations, advising major corporations, institutions and individuals on some of the most complex and high-profile inquiries of the last two decades. Rafi routinely provides strategic insight and counsel to companies, senior executives and boards facing legal, reputational and business crisis situations. Band 1 ranked by Chambers USA, Rafi’s clients describe him as “a world-class lawyer with superb awareness, responsiveness and commitment to his clients.” His work spans numerous sectors—including banking and financial services, technology, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and retail. Previously, Rafi was appointed to serve as an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, overseeing responses to Congressional oversight, among other responsibilities.
Karen E. Christian is a widely recognized advisor on investigative and legislative challenges for a broad array of clients. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA, clients laud Karen’s ability to act as “a bridge from the political side of Congress to clients.” Her advisory work spans several industries, including technology, energy, healthcare, financial services and higher education, where she also helps clients address potential parallel civil, criminal, state and other regulatory investigations. Previously, Karen spent nearly 13 years on Capitol Hill, serving as General Counsel to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Chief Counsel to its Oversight Subcommittee, where she directed landmark investigations and advised on legislative strategy, ethics and procedure. She leverages her in-depth Capitol Hill experience to help clients formulate legislative strategies and address a wide range of regulatory issues.
Martine E. Cicconi is an experienced litigator who focuses on significant investigations and litigation led by state attorneys general. Praised by clients as “extremely smart,” and a “sophisticated strategist, a responsive counselor and consummate diplomat” in Chambers USA, she advises clients on navigating enforcement actions and complex regulatory challenges, drawing on her tenure across several U.S. state and federal executive and judicial bodies, including as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Counsel in the Office of the White House Counsel, where she handled sensitive matters involving Congressional oversight, executive privilege and inspector general inquiries. She also served as Deputy Solicitor General for Virginia, briefing and arguing major cases at all levels of the federal and state judiciary. Martine served in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel and clerked on the Supreme Court of the United States for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and for Judge Merrick B. Garland on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Simpson Thacher’s global Litigation Department represents a wide range of clients, including financial institutions, technology and life sciences corporations, boards, audit and special committees, and senior executives on their most significant matters. The Firm’s global Government and Internal Investigations Practice is consistently recognized as a practice leader by Global Investigations Review, Chambers, The Legal 500 and Benchmark Litigation in recognition of its work guiding clients through their most sensitive legal and reputational matters across industries, sectors and geographies.
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