Former Department of Homeland Security General Counsel and Justice Department Veteran Joe D. Whitley Joins Greenberg Traurig

ATLANTA– LAWFUEL – Law Firm Newswire –The international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP announced that Joe D. Whitley has joined its Atlanta and Washington, D.C. offices as a shareholder in the white collar criminal defense and governmental affairs practice groups. At Greenberg Traurig, Whitley’s practice will focus on white-collar defense, including internal investigations, fraud, compliance and corporate governance matters. He will also continue to focus on homeland security, customs and immigration enforcement issues. Whitley was previously a partner in Alston & Bird’s Atlanta and Washington, D.C. offices, where he headed the firm’s global security and enforcement practice group and was the former chair of the investigations and compliance practice group.

“Joe’s tremendous experience in government and in the courtroom should be a valuable asset for our clients because of the contribution of his unique perspective,” said Ernest L. Greer, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Atlanta office. The addition of Whitley is, “the latest step in our efforts to grow the office and expand the firm’s capabilities in Atlanta,” he added.

Whitley served as the first General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2003 through 2005. In this role, he supervised approximately 1,500 lawyers and 400 support staff, advised Secretary Tom Ridge and Secretary Michael Chertoff on all legal issues and worked with the White House Counsel and the General Counsels of numerous federal agencies on issues relating to counterterrorism and federal law enforcement.

Whitley is a veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice. He served as the Acting Associate Attorney General, the third-ranking position in the Department of Justice, in the George H.W. Bush administration. He has also served as the U.S. Attorney in the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia.

He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. Whitley currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia. Whitley is admitted to practice in Georgia and Washington, D.C.

“Joe has had a distinguished career in public service. He brings a wealth of experience in white-collar criminal defense and homeland security issues to Greenberg Traurig,” said Ronald W. Kleinman, managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Washington, D.C. office. “It is a pleasure to welcome him to the firm.”

Greenberg Traurig, LLP is an international, full-service law firm with more than 1750 attorneys and governmental affairs professionals in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The firm was selected as the 2007 USA Law Firm of the Year by Chambers and Partners. For additional information, please visit the firm’s Web site at www.gtlaw.com.

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