National law firm Baker Hostetler hired Jay R. Nanavati for a Washington legal job, according to a press release.

Formerly an assistant chief of the Western Criminal Enforcement section of the Tax Division with the U.S. Justice Department, Nanavati comes aboard the D.C. office as counsel. He was with the Justice Department for more than seven years.

“We are very fortunate and excited to have Jay join us. His extensive experience in the criminal tax arena will provide added depth to our very active and expanding criminal tax practice,” co-chair Jim Mastracchio with the Baker Hostetler National Tax Controversy Practice said.

Tax group chair Paul M. Schmidt said the extensive experience and credentials held by Nanavati will be a boon to the practice, which employs more than 75 tax attorneys in the U.S. His practice will probe white collar criminal defense and civil tax controversy and his clients will be individuals and corporations.

Holding a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, Nanavati was a state prosecutor in Virginia prior to joining the Justice Department.