Press Release 04.21.25
Rich Donoghue is among the best and most respected white collar and trial lawyers in the United States.
Richard Donoghue, Pillsbury’s Corporate Investigations & White Collar Defense practice group co-leader, is a former Acting Deputy Attorney General of the United States, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York and senior official in the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ). He represents corporations and senior executives in government and internal investigations.
Drawing on three decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, Rich helps clients resolve sensitive and complex litigation challenges. Prior to joining Pillsbury, as the U.S. DOJ acting deputy attorney general, he oversaw the entire department, including its litigation and law enforcement divisions, and supervised 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Representative Experience
- Rich has personally taken more than 40 federal criminal and civil cases to trial as a prosecutor, plaintiff’s counsel or defense counsel, including complex white collar criminal matters.
- As the Chief Counsel of Worldwide Litigation for a Fortune 500 technology company operating in more than 40 countries, he led teams handling a wide variety of complex litigation matters.
- Spent seven years of active-duty service in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps representing the Army and prosecuting and defending military personnel in connection with criminal and civil matters.
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- Private Practice Experience
- Served as Special Counsel to the Special Committee of the Suffolk County Legislatures in the investigation of a large-scale ransomware attack. Conducted an extensive investigation into the 2021 cyberattack, the county’s preparedness and current cyber defense posture. This investigation included forensic examinations, dozens of witness interviews, public hearings, and coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
- Represent client defending against civil court claims brought under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and related charges in the Southern District of New York and multiple state courts.
- Represent the former CFO of a digital currency exchange in connection with inquiries by the DOJ, the SEC and the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
- On behalf of CITGO Petroleum Corporation, secured a $73 million jury verdict in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against a marine cargo insurer for losses arising from the seizure of a cargo of crude oil.
- Government Experience
- As the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General (PADAG) in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General (DAG), assisted the DAG in the day-to-day operation and overall supervision of the entire DOJ. From December 2020 – January 2021, performed all duties of the Deputy Attorney General in an acting capacity.
- As the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for a five-county jurisdiction, encompassing most of New York City and all of Long Island. Led one of the nation’s largest and most sophisticated U.S. Attorney’s Offices, responsible for all operations of the office and its 400 employees, including criminal investigations and prosecutions, affirmative and defensive civil litigation, administration, law enforcement partnerships and community relations.
- One of 16 U.S. attorneys on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC) who provided advice to the AG on DOJ priorities, policies and procedures. Assisted the AG, DAG and other DOJ leaders in the execution of the DOJ’s strategic plan.
- Chair of the AGAC’s Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee, member of the AGAC’s White Collar Fraud Subcommittee.
- Served on the DOJ’s China Initiative Steering Committee and Rule of Law Working Group.
- Member of the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice.
- In addition to overall leadership and supervision of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, personally handled investigations, and prosecutions, including the trial conviction of a gang member for the attempted murder of an FBI Special Agent (U.S. v. Ronell Watson).
- As a career assistant U.S. attorney, personally handled wide range of complex criminal investigations and prosecutions, including fraud, public corruption, racketeering, international street gangs, organized crime, narcotics, civil rights and human trafficking cases. Personally conducted hundreds of criminal investigations and prosecutions, supervised hundreds more and handled all aspects of criminal cases from investigation through trial and appeal. Authored approximately 15 briefs in the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals and argued approximately 10 cases before that court.
- Private Sector Experience
- As the Chief Counsel of Worldwide Litigation for a Fortune 500 technology company, managed all aspects of litigation cases, including those ranging up to $1 billion, from inception to resolution through litigation or settlement.
- Led U.S. and international teams to handle a wide variety of complex litigation matters, including patent cases, commercial disputes, product liability claims, regulatory actions and False Claims Act lawsuits.
- Oversaw the company’s response to government inquiries, made presentations to federal and state government agencies, assisted in compliance investigations, briefed and advised the leadership team, and worked with corporate governance, compliance, disclosure, M&A and sales departments.
- Military Experience
- Litigated multimillion-dollar contract disputes before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals and bid protests before the GAO. Substantial civil discovery and procedure practice.
- Lead or sole defense counsel for soldiers charged with a wide range of offenses, including fraud, larceny, forgery, drug offenses and violent crimes. Represented a major general, at the time the highest-ranking officer to face court-martial since 1952. Supervised attorneys and defense staff. Tried 10 courts-martials as defense counsel. Advised and represented more than 1,000 clients under investigation or facing adverse actions.
- Lead prosecutor in approximately 20 courts-martial trials of defendants charged with a variety of crimes. Supervised other prosecutors and legal support staff. Legal advisor to more than 100 Army commanders, including several general officers.
- As military magistrate judge, conducted pre-trial confinement hearings and ruled on search warrant applications. As administrative law chief, served as ethics advisor and reviewed administrative actions for statutory and regulatory compliance, formulated policies, and drafted regulations for a 15,000-soldier Army Airborne Infantry Division.
Professional Highlights
Honors & Awards
- The Honorable John E. Sprizzo Award (2024), Saint John’s University School of Law Alumni Association
- New York State Bar Association’s Outstanding Prosecutor Award (2022)
- Charles E. Rose Award, Eastern District Association (2009)
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- Henry L. Stimson Medal (2007), NYC Bar Association
- U.S. Army Awards
- Meritorious Service Medal (awarded in 1999 and 2000)
- Humanitarian Service Medal (1997)
- Army Commendation Medal (awarded in January 1996 and December 1996)
- Army Achievement Medal (1993)
- JAG Corps Officer Basic Course Honor Graduate (1993)
- Speaking Engagements
- “Post-Election Expectations of Enforcement,” International White Collar Crime Symposium, December 3, 2024. Panelist.
- External Publications
- Richard Donoghue, “Internet Regulation Bills Would Bring New Risks to Tech. Cos.,” Law360, March 9, 2022
Education
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J.D., St. John's University School of Law, 1992
B.A., Political Science, Hofstra University, 1989
cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions
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New York
Courts
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Eastern District of New York
Southern District of New York
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit