Former Senior DOJ Official Raphael Prober Returns to Akin Gump

(Washington, D.C.) – Raphael A. Prober, who most recently served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), has rejoined Akin Gump as a partner in its white collar and government investigations practice and as co-head of its congressional investigations practice, the firm announced today. Prior to his tenure at DOJ, Mr. Prober had been a partner with Akin Gump in its congressional investigations practice.

Throughout his career in private practice and in the public sector, Mr. Prober has advised on some of the most high-profile, high-stakes and complex congressional and government investigations.

At DOJ, Mr. Prober handled all facets of the Department's responses to congressional oversight and investigations, which often involved parallel DOJ investigations and enforcement matters, as well as other related agency inquiries. In addition, Mr. Prober was responsible for engagement with the Inspector General's Office and the Government Accountability Office in its investigations, reviews and audits of the Department. His service at the Department came during a period that saw a particularly high volume of complex and high-profile investigations.

Mr. Prober brings this background in public service, coupled with more than a decade in private practice, to Akin Gump, where he represents companies, institutions and individuals in all aspects of government investigations. This includes not only congressional investigations and related parallel proceedings, but also DOJ and other agency matters, internal investigations, inspector general investigations, GAO investigations and state attorneys general investigations.

“We’ve long prided ourselves on offering our clients a top-tier white collar investigations team, comprising many lawyers with significant public service experience, and Rafi represents an ideal addition,” stated Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “He boasts a highly sought-after skillset that is extremely valuable for any organization facing a government investigation, congressional or otherwise. I’m thrilled to welcome him back to the firm.”

Added Steven R. Ross, co-head of Akin Gump’s congressional investigations practice, “There are few things that a company might face that is as daunting or high-stakes as a government investigation. With his government background and more than a decade in private practice advising companies facing governmental inquiries and investigations, Rafi is among the preeminent lawyers in this field. Our clients will benefit tremendously from the skills, knowledge and perspective that he brings, and I am excited that he is rejoining us.”

Stated Mr. Prober, “Over the past few years, we have witnessed an uptick in the number of congressional and other government-led investigations, and we expect that trend to continue. Against this backdrop, coming back to Akin Gump—a firm I know well, and which has one of the country’s premiere government investigations practices—was a very easy decision for me. I’m very much looking forward to putting my skills and experience to work on behalf of firm clients who are or may be facing government scrutiny.”

About Raphael A. Prober

Mr. Prober was appointed by the President to serve as an Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice in 2015, following over a decade in private practice, including as a partner in Akin Gump's congressional investigations practice.

While serving as an Associate Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Prober worked closely with both the Department's senior leadership team as well as the leadership of DOJ's many components, including the Criminal Division, Civil Division, Antitrust Division, Tax Division, Solicitor General's Office, Civil Rights Division, Office Of Information Policy (which handles FOIA matters), Office of Legal Counsel, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of Legal Policy, Office of Public Affairs, as well as the Department's law enforcement components. His responsibilities included handling all aspects of congressional oversight and investigations matters, as well as inspector general and GAO inquiries. On a day-to-day basis, this included coordinating and overseeing internal reviews, managing large and complex document reviews and productions, negotiating document and testimony demands, interviewing employees and preparing Department representatives for briefings, interviews and hearings.

During his previous tenure with Akin Gump, Mr. Prober represented clients in all aspects of congressional investigations and related inquiries. Mr. Prober also represented clients in investigations conducted by various federal executive branch departments, commissions and agencies, including, among others, the departments of Justice, Defense, and Health and Human Services; in investigations by state attorneys general and various state legislative bodies; and before various investigative commissions, including the Commission on Wartime Contracting and the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.

Among his notable engagements while previously at Akin Gump, Mr. Prober spearheaded the firm’s pro bono representation of hundreds of Holocaust survivors and family members in their pursuit of justice from the French railroad company that was responsible for deporting these victims toward the death camps. His work on this matter resulted in an historic treaty between the U.S. and France in which France funded a $60-plus million compensation fund for the victims and their families.

Also while at Akin Gump, Mr. Prober was recognized in 2014 by Law360 as one of its "rising stars" in the white collar field.

Mr. Prober previously served as an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, where he taught a course on congressional investigations, and he also served as a guest lecturer on the same subject at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He currently serves as a co-chair of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Lawyers Committee and as a member of the Museum's Next Generation Board.

Mr. Prober received his J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 2003 and his B.S., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University in 2000.

About Akin Gump’s Congressional Investigations Practice

Akin Gump has developed a formidable team and a singular approach to help its clients respond to the challenges they face when confronted with a congressional, executive commission or other special governmental investigation. Our congressional investigations team—networked with Akin Gump lawyers from a powerful combination of practices, including public law and policy, litigation, white collar defense and others—provides our clients with the qualifications and experience to navigate the congressional investigations process and avoid the legal, business and political pitfalls with which such proceedings are replete. We have deep and broad experience representing clients from virtually every sector of the economy before a broad range of House and Senate committees with a team that comprises both Democrats and Republicans with extensive legislative and executive branch experience.

About Akin Gump’s White Collar and Government Investigations Practice

Akin Gump is experienced and adept at helping clients navigate the challenges of all manner of government investigations, with a team that has been at the forefront of white collar defense for more than 30 years. Our team includes a distinguished roster of former prosecutors who served at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and at leading United States Attorneys’ Offices, including the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York, Central District of California, Eastern District of Virginia and Eastern District of Texas, as well as lawyers who served in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)’s Enforcement Division. We have successfully represented corporations, executives, individuals and public officials in a wide range of federal and state prosecutions and investigations and have conducted internal investigations for corporations throughout the world. The deep experience and sound judgment of our white collar defense lawyers results in industry-leading credibility and effectiveness in dealing with the government.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

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