Global law firm Fried Frank announced that Candice C. Wong has joined the firm as a white collar litigation partner in Washington, DC. Wong brings nearly a decade of experience as a federal prosecutor, having served in senior management positions at the US Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Criminal Division and the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. She will continue her part-time service as a Commissioner for the US Sentencing Commission, to which she was confirmed by the Senate for a term ending in 2027.
As a prosecutor, Wong tried 28 cases to verdict, including 12 jury trials, and argued multiple appeals in appellate courts. She supervised numerous sections across the US Attorney’s Office and the DOJ Criminal Division, to which she was detailed from 2017 to 2021 and served in positions including as Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Chief of Staff. At the US Attorney’s Office, Wong most recently led the Violence Reduction and Trafficking Offenses Section, overseeing federal investigations of gangs, trafficking organizations and various cybercrimes. Wong also clerked for three US Supreme Court Justices — Sandra Day O’Connor, Sonia M. Sotomayor and Brett M. Kavanaugh, who was then a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
“Candice is a fabulous addition to our firm,” said Steven Epstein, Fried Frank’s managing partner and co-head of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity Practice. “Her extensive trial experience and outstanding reputation as a highly respected prosecutor makes her extremely valuable to our team and clients.”
Wong is the latest in a string of prominent former government officials to join Fried Frank this year. Her arrival follows that of litigation and asset management partner Dabney O’Riordan, who brings 17 years of experience at all levels of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Enforcement Division, including serving as the longest-standing leader of the SEC’s national Asset Management Unit, and antitrust and competition partner Kathy O’Neill, who spent nearly 16 years in the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, where she held the position of the senior-most career official overseeing all civil antitrust enforcement.
“We are committed to expanding our litigation bench strength and depth across offices,” added Geoffrey S. Berman, partner, global chair of Fried Frank’s Litigation Department and head of the firm’s White Collar Defense, Regulatory Enforcement and Investigations Practice. “Candice brings substantial experience, particularly trial experience, which will be of immense value to our clients as they navigate high-stakes white collar matters and complex civil litigation. She is joining a formidable team of litigators, including leading former federal prosecutors, and we cannot wait to start working with her.”
Fried Frank's White Collar Defense, Regulatory Enforcement and Investigations Practice has an international reputation for success in defending corporations, financial institutions, their leadership teams and esteemed executives across an array of white collar matters, regulatory litigations and internal investigations. The distinguished team boasts former federal prosecutors, including high-ranking officials from the DOJ and SEC, augmented by seasoned white collar defense and regulatory enforcement professionals.
This news story was originally published on the firm’s website.