Trial Attorney and Former Prosecutor Valarie Hays Joins Arnold & Porter’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice
CHICAGO, July 26, 2021 — Arnold & Porter announced today that Valarie Hays, a former federal prosecutor, has joined the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice as a partner. Resident in Chicago, she will lead that office’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice.
Arnold & Porter partner Amy Jeffress, co-chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, said: “Valarie is an experienced trial lawyer with a demonstrated track record of success. We are delighted to welcome another former federal prosecutor to our group, and excited to expand our reach to the Chicago market. Valarie’s skills and experience will further strengthen the deep bench of talent in our White Collar Defense & Investigations practice, particularly at a time when we’re seeing investigations ramp up across the globe.”
A first-chair trial lawyer, Ms. Hays has tried 17 jury trials and has conducted more than 150 criminal and corporate investigations over the course of her career. She represents companies and individuals in government investigations and prosecutions, and in complex commercial litigation, False Claims Act, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act matters. Ms. Hays also advises clients on compliance issues across a range of industry sectors, including healthcare, financial services, and oil and gas.
In joining the firm, Ms. Hays commented: “Arnold & Porter’s prominent White Collar Defense & Investigations practice has a strong reputation for defending companies and individuals in major government and internal investigations and enforcement actions. Its robust platform, coupled with a veteran team of former senior prosecutors, will allow me to provide excellent service to clients.”
Ms. Hays served for five years as an Assistant US Attorney in Chicago. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hays was in private practice. She clerked for the Honorable Suzanne Conlon of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Ms. Hays earned her JD from Harvard Law School. She received her BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, summa cum laude.
About Arnold & Porter's Chicago Office
Attorneys in the firm’s growing Chicago office represent clients in matters involving antitrust, bankruptcy and restructuring, real estate, private equity, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, structured finance and asset securitization, litigation, white collar defense & investigations, intellectual property, and executive compensation and employee benefits.
About Arnold & Porter's White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice
The firm’s team of former high-level government attorneys and seasoned litigators provides unparalleled insights and extensive experience in investigations, defense and compliance matters involving the False Claims Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as allegations of fraud, money-laundering and trade sanctions violations. The team represents global leaders in a wide range of industries—pharmaceutical, financial services, health care, manufacturing, defense and aerospace, retail, energy, and more—by skillfully conducting internal investigations, guiding clients through government enforcement actions and vigorously defending them at trial.
About Arnold & Porter
With nearly 1,000 lawyers practicing in 13 offices around the globe, Arnold & Porter serves clients across 40 distinct practice areas. The firm offers 100 years of renowned regulatory expertise, sophisticated litigation and transactional practices, and leading multidisciplinary offerings in the life sciences and financial services industries.
