Career Resources

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has announced that Chris Kavanaugh, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, will join its Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Americas Litigation Group. His addition strengthens the firm’s capabilities in litigation and enforcement, particularly in the realm of national security and complex corporate matters.

A Distinguished Career in Government Service

Chris Kavanaugh’s appointment comes after a distinguished career at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Justice. As United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Kavanaugh led both criminal and civil litigation efforts for a district with a population of nearly three million people. He has a wealth of experience, having personally tried more than 40 criminal jury trials to verdict, and led high-profile national security matters, including corporate criminal and civil resolutions.

A key figure within the United States Attorney community, Kavanaugh also served as a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, a group tasked with advising the Attorney General on policy and initiatives within the Department of Justice. In addition, he chaired the National Security Subcommittee, where he directed national security policy and enforcement priorities across the United States Attorneys’ offices.

Expertise in White-Collar and National Security Matters

At Cleary Gottlieb, Kavanaugh will focus on government and internal investigations, particularly in matters related to national security, export control, and sanctions. He brings an extensive background in white-collar crime, national security, fraud, public corruption, civil rights, and racketeering, areas where he has both supervised and led investigations and prosecutions. Kavanaugh’s expertise also extends to successfully arguing appeals in the United States Courts of Appeals for both the District of Columbia and Fourth Circuits.

His experience in overseeing national security investigations, combined with his leadership role in the Department of Justice’s Corporate Criminal Enforcement Working Group, positions him as a leader in the field. Kavanaugh was instrumental in drafting the Voluntary Self-Disclosure policy, which set a national standard for companies seeking credit for disclosing misconduct.

A Trusted Advisor with a Strong Government Foundation

Victor Hou, co-leader of Cleary’s Americas Litigation Group, expressed excitement about Kavanaugh’s addition to the team. “Chris’s top-tier government experience, exceptional trial skills, and leadership make him an invaluable addition to our firm,” said Hou. “His depth of experience in investigating, prosecuting, and supervising complex white-collar and national security matters will allow him to provide trusted counsel to our clients.”

Kavanaugh’s deep connections within the Department of Justice and his understanding of government enforcement priorities further strengthen Cleary’s client-facing practice. As the firm continues to build its national security and enforcement presence, Kavanaugh’s vast experience will provide an essential resource for clients navigating these complex areas.

A Firm Committed to Excellence and Leadership

Kavanaugh’s decision to join Cleary Gottlieb was influenced by the firm’s prestigious team of litigators, many of whom have held senior roles within government agencies. “I chose Cleary because of its unparalleled team of lawyers, who are renowned for handling the most challenging matters across multiple jurisdictions,” said Kavanaugh. “I am eager to contribute to the firm’s growing enforcement and litigation practice in Washington, D.C.”

A Highly Experienced Team of Litigators

Kavanaugh’s addition further strengthens Cleary’s team of accomplished litigators with extensive government credentials. The firm’s litigation group includes former senior officials and prosecutors from the Department of Justice, such as Lev Dassin, Victor Hou, Joon Kim, Jonathan Kolodner, David Last, Rahul Mukhi, and Matthew Yelovich, as well as former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission senior officials Matthew Solomon and Tom Bednar. Cleary’s client-centered approach is bolstered by the involvement of numerous other partners with experience from the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

About Chris Kavanaugh

Chris Kavanaugh holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and a B.S. from Georgia Tech. He also clerked for the Honorable James C. Cacheris of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. With his exceptional qualifications, Kavanaugh is poised to make significant contributions to Cleary Gottlieb’s litigation and enforcement practices.