Ropes & Gray Enhances Litigation & Enforcement Practice with Addition of Former Federal Prosecutor Sarah Coyne in New York

Ropes & Gray announced today that Sarah Coyne, a New York-based leading litigator and former senior federal prosecutor who is highly ranked by Chambers USA for White Collar Crime and Government Investigations, has joined the firm’s New York team as a partner in its award-winning litigation and enforcement practice.

“Sarah’s extensive experience in government combined with her tenure in private practice give her exceptional abilities for delivering winning outcomes to our clients,” said Julie Jones, chair. “In addition, she brings deep knowledge of the industries most important to our clients including health care and life sciences, financial services, technology, and sports. She will be an incredible asset to clients and a formidable addition to our New York litigation team.”

Most recently, Sarah served as co-head of the global white collar defense practice group at another AmLaw 50 firm. Prior to joining private practice, Sarah served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of New York for 11 years, and in the District of New Jersey for three years. In the EDNY, Sarah held several leadership roles, including chief of the Business & Securities Fraud Section and key positions in the Public Integrity Section. In New Jersey, she served in the Criminal Division.

During her tenure in the government, Sarah prosecuted and supervised high-profile criminal investigations, including those involving securities and investment fraud. She is also an accomplished first-chair trial lawyer who has briefed and argued numerous appeals.

“Sarah’s arrival bolsters our already strong and growing New York-based litigation and enforcement team” said Gregg Weiner, co-head of the firm’s litigation and enforcement practice group. “Sarah’s experience as a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York and District of New Jersey and as a private practitioner for significant clients in heavily regulated industries will be a valuable addition to our team for our expanding client base.”

Sarah’s experience spans a variety of heavily regulated industries, including financial services, health care, life sciences, technology, and sports. At Ropes & Gray, Sarah’s practice will focus on investigations and other criminal and civil matters involving financial crime, securities fraud, health care fraud, corruption, and high-profile allegations of misconduct and serious wrongdoing. She will also bring her experience to bear to further the firm’s cross-practice efforts by working closely with our industry groups and initiatives.

“Ropes & Gray is a leader in government enforcement and investigations, and I’m thrilled to join this powerhouse team,” said Sarah. “I’m looking forward to working alongside the firm’s exceptional group of litigators in New York and helping our clients navigate and resolve sophisticated, complex and high-stakes disputes.”

Sarah is the third hire in Ropes & Gray’s litigation & enforcement practice since the start of the new year, following partner and former U.S. Attorney Josh Levy and counsel and former Assistant U.S. Attorney JR Drabick. She is also the third addition in recent years to Ropes & Gray’s New York-based litigation team, after partner Brian Blais and counsel Casey Kyung-Se Lee, both of whom have government experience as federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Brian served for more than a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Office’s Securities and Commodities Fraud, Organized Crime, Narcotics, and General Crimes Units, including as co-chief of the General Crimes Unit. Casey served as an as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Office’s Civil Division.

“At Ropes & Gray, we pride ourselves on being at the cutting-edge of emerging enforcement and regulatory developments as well as fostering a collaborative culture that brings together the strengths of the firm across practice groups, offices and specialties,” said Eva Carman, co-managing partner of the firm’s New York office. “I’m excited to welcome Sarah to the firm, to working closely with her in New York, and having our clients and colleagues benefit from the breadth and depth of her experience.”

Sarah also maintains a robust pro bono practice, and she currently serves on the board of directors of the Legal Aid Society of New York.