“Mike is a highly-regarded attorney in the white collar and government investigations communities,” said V&E Litigation & Regulatory Department Co-Chair and investigations partner John Wander. “He has an incredibly rare background as both an experienced in-house compliance officer and a former prosecutor with deep trial experience. His perspective will be an invaluable asset to our clients as we continue to expand our reputation as one of the leading white-collar criminal defense firms in the nation.”

Mike’s career began in private practice as an associate at Shearman & Sterling, followed by serving nearly 16 years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Minneapolis. In this role, he led numerous federal criminal investigations, tried over 50 federal criminal jury trials and assessed the effectiveness of corporate compliance programs. In recognition of his contributions, Ward was honored with the National Director’s Award for Outstanding Performance.

“Having someone with Mike’s unique experience adds depth to our White Collar bench,” said Matt Jacobs, co-chair of V&E’s Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice and managing partner of the San Francisco office. “New enforcement policies and actions make clear that sophisticated compliance program knowledge is now essential to any company defense. Mike’s background combines that unequalled skill with that of an experienced prosecutor and trial lawyer. We are pleased to have him join our team and look forward to building on the deep relationships he has garnered with compliance professionals throughout California and beyond.”

While at Juniper, Ward worked with V&E as outside counsel while overseeing a six-year Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation spanning multiple countries, including Russia and China. These efforts led to a declination from the U.S. Department of Justice and a non-bribery civil resolution with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

“Working with V&E over the years, I witnessed a level of client service that was second to none,” Ward said. “I am thrilled to begin the next chapter of my career with the firm and join its stellar bench of government investigations attorneys.”

Ward is the latest of several key hires to join V&E’s Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice, which includes attorneys in New York, Washington, D.C., California and Texas. His colleagues include partners Palmina Fava, former co-chair of Paul Hastings LLP’s Global Compliance and Disputes Department; Fry Wernick, who joined the firm after stepping down as Assistant Chief of the DOJ’s FCPA Unit; Ron Tenpas, who served as Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois; and Mike Dry, the former Deputy Chief of the Eastern District of Virginia’s Criminal Division.

“With the addition of Mike Ward, Vinson & Elkins adds a leading authority on compliance and investigations who is uniquely capable to offer the insights and practical solutions sought by boards, general counsel and executives,” said Brian Martin, General Counsel of Juniper.

V&E’s Government Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense practice has received recognition nationally and internationally in Chambers USA (2019), Legal 500 U.S. (2019) and as a member of the Global Investigations Review 100 (2019). The firm represents corporations, audit committees, boards and executives in high stakes investigations and litigation, including matters involving criminal and civil antitrust investigations, the FCPA, the False Claims Act, securities, health care and criminal and civil theft of trade secrets.