Arent Fox Welcomes High Profile Prosecutor and Former Eastern District of New York US Attorney Robert L. Capers in New York

Following a standout public service career that included prosecuting high-profile cases involving public corruption, racketeering, and international narcotics trafficking, Mr. Capers will co-lead Arent Fox’s nationally recognized Government Enforcement & White Collar practice, which has helped fuel the firm’s seven straight years of record growth.

Mr. Capers will also join a thriving Business Compliance & Integrity Monitorships team that provides practical solutions for some of the world’s largest and most profitable companies. This group regularly advises major corporations on governance best-practices; conducts high-profile internal investigations; counsels Boards of Directors; creates world-class compliance programs; and represents individuals and corporations with matters before Main Justice and US Attorney’s Offices around the country.

Mr. Capers served as a prosecutor for over two decades. He began his career in 1996 at the New York County District Attorney’s Office under the legendary Robert M. Morgenthau. In 2003, Mr. Capers joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, where as a line and supervisory prosecutor he led a number of complex investigations and prosecutions involving a wide range of crimes, such as racketeering, international money laundering, and public corruption.

He also tried and second-chaired to verdict more than two dozen criminal trials, including serving as co-lead counsel on the jury trial and conviction of a then sitting New York State Assemblyman for engaging in complex bribery and extortion schemes and the theft of government funds, which resulted in the longest sentence for a sitting New York State politician in recent history.

Mr. Capers’ character, stellar career as a prosecutor, and commitment to public service brought him to the attention of President Barack Obama, who nominated Mr. Capers in October 2015 to serve as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. He was confirmed by the US Senate in December 2015. Mr. Capers received his JD from Albany Law School and his BA from New York University.

During his tenure as United States Attorney, Mr. Capers gained international recognition for headline grabbing work that included: overseeing the extradition of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel; obtaining the indictments and extraditions of nearly 30 FIFA officials; bringing groundbreaking FCPA investigations, including the investigation of a large Brazilian construction conglomerate and a Brazilian petrochemical company for engaging in a massive-in-scale bribery scheme involving government officials around the world; the investigation of a major US financial institution for its corrupt hiring practices in the Asia-Pacific region and the investigation of a US hedge fund for corrupt hiring practices in Africa; and overseeing the agreement by a large German bank to pay a record fine for misleading investors in its sale of residential mortgage-backed securities, which contributed to the 2008 financial collapse in the US.

“Rob has distinguished himself as one of the top prosecutors in the country and is a great addition to our world-class Government Enforcement & White-Collar group that now includes two former US Attorneys,” said Chairman Mark M. Katz. “With Rob’s exceptional background and reputation, his options were limitless. He chose Arent Fox because of our unique culture and outstanding group of partners. Rob’s innovative thinking and experience managing one of the busiest US Attorney’s Offices in the country will be an invaluable service for clients.”

“Under Rob’s leadership, the Eastern District of New York burnished its reputation as one of the country’s top law enforcement offices,” said New York Managing Partner Andrew I. Silfen. “We are confident that Rob’s outstanding experience, legal skills, and integrity will be an exceptional resource to clients seeking the very best corporate compliance and white-collar counseling.”

“Rob is a perfect addition to our Business Compliance & Integrity Monitorship team,” said Arent Fox partner M. Scott Peeler, co-head of the Government Enforcement & White Collar group and head of Complex Litigation in New York. “Some of the toughest law enforcement and financial regulators in the world turn to us for complex monitorships, and Rob’s breadth of experience and sterling character enhance our already impressive bench.”

“I am very excited to join the partners at Arent Fox,” said Mr. Capers. “The firm’s tremendous depth of talent, its culture of collegiality and collaboration, and commitment to public service through its robust pro bono practice make it a perfect fit for me. Arent Fox’s integrity, compliance, and white-collar work is second to none, and I am looking forward to working with such a vibrant and dynamic team to build upon its already impressive success.”

Arent Fox is the only law firm to carry out multiple compliance monitorships for the World Bank and is routinely selected for monitorships by the Department of Justice and the New York State Department of Financial Services. In 2016, DFS selected Mr. Peeler to serve as the Independent Consultant for Crédit Agricole, one of the world’s largest financial institutions.