Maurene Comey, Ex-SDNY Prosecutor, Joins Patterson Belknap (2)

Maurene Comey, a longtime federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, joined Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler as a partner in its litigation department in New York.

Comey’s practice will focus on high-stakes white collar defense and investigations and complex civil litigation, according to the firm’s announcement Wednesday. Comey, who served as an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York for nearly a decade, brings to the firm experience from numerous high-profile cases, including prosecutions of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have extensive trial and investigative experience during my time in government, and I was really ready for a new challenge,” Comey said in an interview. “Patterson Belknap felt like the perfect place for me to build a long-term legal home.”

Comey also cited her experience leading government prosecutions that she said will allow her to advise clients facing federal investigations and litigation. She said she looks forward to being back in the courtroom in the Southern District of New York, while also expanding her client base with Patterson Belknap’s global practice.

Comey sued the Justice Department in September over her ouster from the Manhattan US attorney’s office. She argued there was no legitimate reason for her firing, citing her “exemplary” record, and that she was forced out “solely or substantially because her father is former FBI Director James B. Comey, or because of her perceived political affiliation and beliefs, or both.”

President Donald Trump’s DOJ has attempted to bring federal charges against James Comey, though a federal judge tossed a grand jury indictment secured by federal prosecutor Lindsey Halligan, whom the judge ruled was unlawfully serving as interim US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The Trump administration has since appealed that ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Patterson Belknap’s hiring of Maurene Comey makes her the eighth former federal prosecutor to join the firm’s white collar defense and investigations team, the firm said.

While at the Manhattan US attorney’s office, she handled 11 jury trials, supervised 17 additional jury trials, and briefed or argued 14 appeals, according to the firm.