[ by Melanie Gretchen ]

Venable LLP hired the former chief investigative counsel for the Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, or SIGTARP, to boost the Baltimore-based law firm's white-collar group.  The new partner will serve on the firm's 25-member SEC and white-collar defense group.

Michael Rivera, 46, said he will seek to build on his SIGTARP experience and focus on defense work stemming from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigations.  The firm's white-collar defense group itself has made its name representing a range of clients, from Fortune 500 to mid- and small-size companies.  Since the firm was founded in 1999, its cases have included securities enforcement litigation, white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and corporate compliance and internal controls.  Going forward, Mr. Rivera will work with the financial rescue fund established in the wake of the financial crisis.

Prior to Mr. Rivera's current appointment, Mr. Rivera while at SIGTARP:

• investigated and prosecuted fraud at center of the government's trillion-dollar bailout of the U.S. financial sector.
• served as SIGTARP's representative to Obama administration's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force and its securities and mortgage working groups.
• worked in securities defense work and securities compliance regulation.

As Geoffrey Garinther proudly notes, "There probably isn't another lawyer in D.C. who has that combination."  Mr. Garinther  chairs Venable's Ltigation Practice,
 

For further details, go to [Reuters, 4/15/13].