Barry Berke, a distinguished trial lawyer known for his role as chief impeachment counsel during former President Donald Trump‘s Senate trial, is leaving Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel to join the prestigious law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Alongside Berke, four other accomplished white-collar defense attorneys will be making the transition, further strengthening Gibson Dunn’s litigation practice.
Berke, who will serve as a partner and co-chair of Gibson Dunn’s global litigation practice, brings a wealth of experience in high-stakes legal battles. His past roles include serving as special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trump’s impeachment proceedings and representing notable clients such as Sung Kook “Bill” Hwang, the founder of Archegos Capital Management, who faced a jury trial for fraud in Manhattan federal court.
In addition to Hwang, Berke has represented prominent figures such as former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in corruption inquiries and Michael Steinberg of SAC Capital in insider trading cases.
Joining Berke at Gibson Dunn are fellow partners Dani James, Michael Martinez, Darren LaVerne, and Jordan Estes, all of whom previously worked at Kramer Levin. At their former firm, Berke chaired the litigation practice while James co-chaired the white-collar defense and investigations practice.
“We are excited to welcome Barry and his team to Gibson Dunn,” said Barbara Backer, chair and managing partner of the firm. “Their extensive expertise will add significant momentum to our litigation and regulatory practices, especially in an era of heightened government enforcement.”
Berke expressed enthusiasm for the move, highlighting Gibson Dunn’s robust trial capabilities, broad geographic reach, and diverse client base. “This opportunity allows us to elevate our practice and represent high-profile clients at a higher level,” he stated.
Kramer Levin has publicly expressed well wishes for Berke and his team as they embark on this new chapter. As the legal landscape continues to evolve, the addition of Berke and his colleagues positions Gibson Dunn to navigate complex cases effectively and represent clients with exceptional skill.
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