Chicago, IL, November 6, 2006 – LAWFUEL – Law Jobs, Law News Network – Baker & McKenzie LLP announced today that Robert W. Kent, Jr. has joined its North American Litigation Practice Group as a Partner in Chicago. Prior to joining the Firm, Kent was Chief of the Complex Fraud Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
With almost two decades of experience investigating and prosecuting high-profile, complex fraud cases, Kent will continue the expansion of the Firm’s litigation capabilities in white collar criminal defense, complex civil litigation, internal investigations and corporate compliance.
“This is great news for us and for our clients,” said Tom Doyle, chair of Baker & McKenzie LLP’s North American Litigation Practice. “Bob is a highly respected litigator and his Justice Department experience will bring added depth to our existing litigation practice, especially in matters involving internal investigations and business crimes. As clients increasingly try to ensure global compliance with a broad array of laws and ethical expectations, Bob’s perspective will be a great addition to our existing resources.”
During the last decade, Kent led several of the most prominent fraud prosecutions brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago including: U.S. v. Conrad Black, et al., alleging some $80 million in embezzlement by executives of a publicly traded, multinational publishing conglomerate; U.S. v. Laurence Capriotti and Jack Hargrove, et al., involving a $90 million dollar fraud by the owners of a large title insurance agency and a trust company; U.S. v. Vincent Lane, concerning bank fraud by the former chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority in connection with his personal real estate investments; and U.S. v. Henry Paschen, involving the multimillion dollar income tax fraud by the owner of a prominent Chicago construction firm.
In addition, Kent led and coordinated U.S. Attorney’s Office programs in prosecuting securities, health care and financial institution fraud. He was and continues to be a recognized national speaker on the most topical issues relating to corporate fraud, including internal investigations and waivers of attorney-client privilege.
Commenting on Kent’s joining, David Hackett, Baker & McKenzie LLP’s North American Managing Partner, said, “We are extremely pleased to have Bob join the Chicago office and litigation practice. In today’s world, where we help law abiding corporations face heightened scrutiny from prosecutors and regulatory agencies literally around the globe, our ability to attract highly experienced talent like Bob to our genuinely global capabilities gives us significant advantages in better serving our clients.”
Prior to becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kent practiced law at a corporate law firm in Chicago and clerked for U.S. District Court Judge William A. Ingram in San Jose, California. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1983. He received his B.A. from Princeton University in 1980.
“I look forward to working with Baker & McKenzie’s talented team of litigators,” said Kent. “With the Firm’s world-wide resources, I will be able to provide clients with a full suite of specialized services related to business conduct.”
With the addition of Kent in Chicago, Baker & McKenzie will continue to substantially increase the breadth and size of the Firm’s already robust global disputes practice. The Global Dispute Resolution Practice includes more than 700 lawyers experienced in litigation, arbitration, mediation and all forms of alternative dispute resolution.
