Paul Hastings Strengthens Litigation Practice with Addition of The United States Attorney for the Central District of California

August 11, 2009

New York, New York (August 11, 2009) Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Thomas OBrien, United States Attorney for the Central District of California, will join Paul Hastings as a partner in the Litigation Department. Mr. OBrien was nominated to be U.S. Attorney by President George W. Bush, and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on October 4, 2007. Mr. OBrien will be based in the firms Los Angeles office.

Mr. OBriens practice will focus primarily on white collar matters. In his role as U.S. Attorney, Mr. OBrien is responsible for all federal criminal investigations and prosecutions in the largest district in the United States, which encompasses seven counties and more than 18 million residents. Additionally, Mr. OBrien served on the Presidents Corporate Fraud Task Force and was Chair of the Attorney Generals Advisory Committees Cyber/Intellectual Property Subcommittee.

An elite white collar practice is an essential element for a leading global litigation department. We are eager for Tom to join Paul Hastings as we continue strengthening our existing team in order to continue to serve clients across the globe on a wide range of complex litigation matters, said Jamie Wareham, global chair of Paul Hastings litigation practice. As a top federal law enforcement official and a highly experienced trial lawyer, Tom has a unique set of experiences and talents. His addition will further strengthen the firms national litigation practice, and expand our White Collar presence on the West Coast.

Paul Hastings has a strong reputation in the areas of litigation, corporate governance and white collar investigations, and I am very excited to work with the team and apply my government experience to build a leading white collar practice that provides excellent service to Paul Hastings clients around the world, said Mr. OBrien.

Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Mr. OBrien served for more than two years as the Chief of the Criminal Division in the central district of California, reviewing cases from complex securities fraud to counter-espionage matters. Mr. OBrien also served as Chief to the offices Civil Rights section, where he investigated and prosecuted federal hate crimes, racially motivated murders, human trafficking violations and police misconduct.
Upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, Mr. OBrien served as a Radar Intercept Officer in the F-14 "Tomcat" fighter aircraft, and he was chosen to attend the elite United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun). He received his J.D., with honors, from the University Of San Diego School Of Law, where he was selected as Associate Editor of the San Diego Law Review.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. We provide innovative legal solutions to financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Please visit www.paulhastings.com for more information.