Kirkland & Ellis Adds Former Dallas U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox

Kirkland & Ellis has hired the former U.S. Attorney in Dallas, Erin Nealy Cox, who served as the top federal prosecutor in one of the country’s largest regions during the Trump administration.

The hire comes as Kirkland, the country’s largest firm by revenue, has made significant inroads in Texas since launching an office in Houston in 2014. The Chicago-founded firm known for its private equity and M&A practice expanded into Dallas in 2018 and this year opened an office in Austin. It has around 300 lawyers in The Lone Star State.

“One thing that drew me to the firm in general and in Texas specifically was the platform, and also just the talented lawyers Kirkland has,” Nealy Cox said in an interview. “They have a group I consider to be the best and brightest in the private sector, and that’s a huge draw.”

Nealy Cox will serve in the firm’s government, regulatory, and internal investigations practice led by Mark Filip, a former No. 2 at the U.S. Department of Justice. She said she will be tasked with mentoring and developing younger lawyers in addition to advising clients on government investigations and regulatory issues. She has a long track record advising companies on cybersecurity issues, but said her advice would be broader than that niche practice.

“Given her background leading high-profile positions at DOJ, and her deep expertise in cyber issues and board governance, Erin is a strong addition to our already deep bench of more than 100 white collar lawyers, including 35 former federal prosecutors,” Filip said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Erin as she leads our efforts in Texas to grow the practice group.”

Nealy Cox is a longtime federal prosecutor in the Northern District of Texas, having served in that role from 1999 to 2008.

She then spent eight years at Stroz Friedberg, a division of insurer Aon that specializes in digital risk management, where she led a data breach incident response unit. Nealy briefly worked in McKinsey & Co.’s cybersecurity and risk practice before being nominated as the top prosecutor.

During her time as a top prosecutor, Attorney General William Barr tapped Nealy Cox to serve as chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. The body of 15 U.S. Attorneys advises on national priorities, including policy and operational issues. Barr is a former Kirkland partner.

Nealy Cox earned credit as a federal prosecutor for using data-based programs targeting street crime, pill mills, and other corrupt medical practitioners. She said she would look to use statistical approaches to the private practice of law, where she will advise clients on government investigations and regulatory issues.

“If you’re not using data to drive your decision-making you’re not going to be doing a comprehensive job,” she said.