Former U.S. Lawyer Joshua Levy will probably be returning to his previous Boston legislation agency, Ropes & Grey, as a companion within the agency’s litigation and enforcement observe group.
“I do look forward to going back into that role,” Levy informed the Herald about his transfer. “I want to practice on this side of the table the same way I did as U.S. Attorney — with a focus on integrity and professionalism.”
Levy served because the chief federal prosecutor for Massachusetts from Could 2023 to January of this yr, overseeing greater than 120 prosecutors from the highest flooring of the federal courthouse in Boston’s Seaport. He took workplace after his predecessor, Rachael Rollins, resigned in shame following two damning federal studies on her moral violations.
“The office took a big body blow when the former U.S. Attorney resigned,” he informed the Herald. “That was a huge challenge and we got right back to work.”
Beneath his management, the Massachusetts U.S. Lawyer’s workplace was “the most productive” within the nation, in line with Ropes & Grey, and recovered greater than $1 billion final yr alone.
Levy stated he’s “proud of the work across the office” dealing with “very important work,” particularly in tackling public corruption. Latest highlights embrace the conviction of former state senator Dean Tran and bringing fraud prices towards Boston Metropolis Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.
He wouldn’t cite particular circumstances he’s particularly happy with, however his workplace made vital headlines from circumstances like prosecuting navy secrets and techniques leaker Jack Teixeira, bringing prices towards Stoughton cop Matthew Farwell — who’s accused of killing Sandra Birchmore — convicted the three runners of high-end brothels in Larger Boston and the D.C. suburbs, and introduced prices in quite a few high-profile fentanyl trafficking and gang circumstances. His workplace additionally received the conviction of Russian businessman Vladislav Klyushin for a $93 million cyber fraud and insider buying and selling case.
He additionally oversaw the federal probe into the Karen Learn case, however he wasn’t prepared to touch upon that regardless of the very fact the case is now formally closed.
Levy stepped down forward of President Trump’s inauguration, as is the standard observe for all political appointees when a brand new administration takes over. He was succeeded by Leah Foley, who was within the management workforce throughout Levy’s tenure.
“She is an excellent prosecutor and is widely respected both in the office and from the defense bar and I feel very confident with her at the helm,” Levy stated.
Levy was beforehand a companion at Ropes & Grey from 2004 to 2021, when he grew to become first assistant U.S. Lawyer below Rollins. Along with observe group management roles, he additionally served as co-managing companion of the Boston workplace. The multinational legislation agency, headquartered in Prudential Tower in Boston, is ranked primary on The American Lawyer’s A-Record of elite corporations and boasts 14 places of work on three continents, in line with its web site.
“Returning to Ropes & Gray was never a question for me. The firm has an incomparable culture of teamwork and a high-powered enforcement team that clients turn to for high-stakes investigations and bet-the-company matters,” Levy stated in a ready assertion shared by the agency. “I hope to draw on my recent experience leading the U.S. attorney’s office to advise clients on how to navigate government investigations and steer them to successful outcomes.”
He received’t be doing the identical work upon his return. Earlier than, he dealt with primarily civil circumstances on the federal degree, which the agency described as “white collar defense and complex civil litigation” specialty, but in addition some felony circumstances like defending some dad and mom within the Varsity Blues faculty admissions scandal. Now he will probably be primarily “representing companies and individuals facing government investigations, sometimes charged and sometimes uncharged.”
“We are thrilled to have Josh back at Ropes & Gray, especially as the enforcement landscape gets more complex for our clients,” stated Julie Jones, chair of the agency. “Josh has been a powerhouse on both sides of the enforcement table, recently spearheading some of the government’s most notable prosecutions and investigations. He’ll be an incredible asset to our clients, forging strong relationships and delivering great outcomes on their most sensitive and critical issues.”
Nancy Lane/Boston Herald
Former U.S. Lawyer Josh Levy speaks at a media roundtable for the final time in his time period on Jan. 8 on the federal courthouse. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
