Covington & Burling Snags Former EDNY Criminal Division Chief

Covington & Burling has added former federal prosecutor Kristin Mace, who helped lead the investigation and trials of FIFA executives and others, as a partner in its white collar defense and investigations practice in New York.

Mace has worked for more than 13 years as an assistant US attorney in New York, serving most recently as the chief of the Eastern District’s criminal division where she supervised more than 115 assistant US attorneys.

“As a lawyer renowned for her impressive track record in high-stakes white collar investigations, Kristin’s extensive experience as a federal prosecutor adds new depth and capabilities to the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations practice,” said Nancy Kestenbaum, co-chair of Covington’s white collar defense and investigations practice group in a statement.

“Kristin is a skilled investigator and litigator whose background, tenacity, and incredible talent will be invaluable to our clients,” she added.

Mace first joined the Eastern District in 2011, eventually becoming deputy chief and then chief of the general crimes and organized crime and gang sections. She became deputy chief of the criminal division in 2019 before becoming its chief in 2021.

During her time in the prosecutors office, she worked on several high-profile investigations and prosecutions.

She was a part of the team that conducted the investigation into soccer international governing body FIFA that resulted in criminal charges against over 50 defendants across 20 countries. in 2017, she was a part of the team that successfully convicted the former president of the South American soccer federation CONMEBOL Juan Ángel Napout and former head of the Brazilian federation José Maria Marin on racketeering charges. She also led trials in the successful convictions of former Gambino crime family member Bartolomeo Vernace.

“Covington has built a formidable reputation over the years,” Mace said in a statement. “After the privilege of serving in the EDNY for well over a decade, it is an honor to apply the unique skills I have learned as a prosecutor to help clients navigate complex white collar investigations and enforcement actions,” she said.