International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has made a strategic addition to its Litigation Practice Group, welcoming former EY and PWC general counsel Ron Hauben as partner and co-head of the Firm’s accounting defense practice. Drawing on senior leadership experience at Big Four accounting firms, Ron brings extensive knowledge of the legal, regulatory and business factors affecting the accounting profession.

“During recent years, we’ve helped clients navigate a profound shift in the accounting industry,” said Steven Scholes, global head of McDermott’s Litigation Practice Group. “Ron will be an incredible asset to our clients as we continue to counsel them through ongoing changes to the accounting industry and beyond. His successful track record of leading complex litigation will help us guide clients in their most challenging situations.”

Ron provides a full scope of legal services to accounting firms: regulatory enforcement, litigation defense, corporate governance and advice on a wide range of risk, crisis management and professional practice issues. He emphasizes the role of independent auditors and the importance of independent audits for stakeholders and capital markets.

“I’m thrilled to join McDermott and leverage my previous industry and in-house experience to defend accounting firms and their professionals in a wide variety of matters,” said Ron.

Through his in-house roles, Ron served as a trusted legal and business advisor to chief executive officers, senior management and board members. He is the former vice chair and general counsel at Ernst & Young, and prior to that, he held the role of general counsel, among other senior positions, at PricewaterhouseCoopers.