Chris Caffarone, Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Joins Pillsbury’s New York Office

“The frequency and breadth of U.S. Department of Justice and other federal enforcement efforts have been growing in recent years, and that trend shows no signs of stopping,” said Pillsbury Chair David Dekker. “The arrival of another acclaimed federal prosecutor like Chris will be invaluable to clients, affording them still more expert resources who can both spot compliance program trouble spots and navigate the complexities of a government investigation should one come to pass.”

Federal prosecution of corporations has increased by 20 percent since 2020 according to data released by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The DOJ’s 2024 announcement of a corporate whistleblower policy, as well as a publicly stated goal of holding parties who enter into leniency agreements more accountable for breaching those pacts, stand to ensure the upward trend continues.

“Chris is an outstanding addition to our superb Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense team, and we are so pleased to welcome him in New York,” said William Sullivan, Pillsbury’s Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense Practice Group chair. “Pillsbury’s white collar lawyers have achieved exceptional results in a number of recent high profile government investigations and enforcement actions, and Chris’s broad experience as a federal prosecutor, wealth of first-chair trial expertise and sterling reputation will only enhance our proven ability to continue to deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients in their most difficult, sensitive and complex matters.” 

Caffarone has wide-ranging ability that spans securities, financial services, corporate governance and M&A litigation, all grounded in extensive experience with both criminal and civil cases. During his tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s office, he served as Deputy Chief of the Long Island Criminal Division and as Acting Chief of the Business and Securities Fraud Section. Noteworthy cases include the successful prosecutions of David H. Brooks, former Chief Executive Officer of DHB Industries, Inc., in what would result in the EDNY’s largest civil forfeiture recovery; the former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano for accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes; and investment broker Jason Keryc and six others for perpetrating a $400 million fraud.

His work on these and other high profile matters has earned Chris national media attention and a host of awards, including the New York City Bar Association’s Henry L. Stimson Medal—presented annually to outstanding AUSAs in the Southern and Eastern District of New York and named after one of Pillsbury’s founding lawyers—and the Exceptional Service Award from the National Association of Former U.S. Attorneys.

Caffarone is just the latest high-profile addition to Pillsbury’s Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense practice, which is ranked by both Chambers USA and Legal 500. Since former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and former U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue joined in late 2021, the firm has welcomed former National Coordinator of the DOJ’s Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Program Mark Krotoski; former federal prosecutor Kimberly Jaimez; Ronald Cheng, a former U.S. Attorney’s Office Division Chief and U.S. Department of Justice Resident Advisor in the U.S. Embassy in Beijing; and Adam Goldberg, who has extensive experience in Asia-related investigations in the United States. The group has also expanded its international capabilities, adding Audrey Koh to establish an on-the-ground presence in London as well as a China-based team led by partner Jia Yan that is regularly engaged to advise on cross-border investigations. In addition, D.C.-based litigator Waleed Nassar—whose diverse Middle East practice includes supporting clients in government investigations—arrived to Pillsbury just last month.

“I am thrilled to return to private practice at Pillsbury, joining a renowned litigation team that is home to so many successful former federal prosecutors,” Caffarone said. “I look forward to partnering with the firm’s many highly skilled lawyers—and to working with my friend Rich Donoghue again—to tackle complex issues and deliver outstanding results for our clients.”

Pillsbury’s award-winning team of more than 200 litigators works with clients around the world to help them successfully resolve disputes, in trial and out of court, at home and in jurisdictions around the globe. The firm has garnered dozens of top-tier recognitions as a result of its exceptional litigation prowess and is regularly identified as one of the most feared law firms CLOs and GCs come up against in litigation according to BTI Consulting Group.