Law and Ethics Advisors
Paul J. McNulty

Paul J. McNulty

Partner, Baker & McKenzie LLP




Mr. Paul J. McNulty joined Baker & McKenzie LLP in 2007 after a long career of public service. He is a partner in the firm’s Washington, DC office, where he plays a key leadership role in our Firm's Business Crimes and Investigations and Corporate Compliance and Risk Management practices. He brings deep experience and adds substantial value to our global team, which advises corporate clients on a range of compliance matters, offering comprehensive risk minimization strategies, internal investigations, development of creative solutions to potential problems and, when necessary, vigorous defense of corporate criminal and related civil litigation in a complex US and international legal environment.

Prior Work Experience:

For more than two decades, Mr. McNulty played a leading role in shaping US law enforcement policy. From 2005 to 2007, he served as US Deputy Attorney General, the second highest-ranking official in the Department of Justice and chief operating officer of its more than 100,000 employees. In that role, he chaired the President’s Corporate Fraud Task Force, where he oversaw several high-profile corporate fraud prosecutions. He also launched a national initiative to crackdown on fraud in government contracting. Mr. McNulty has held other high-level positions in the United States Government including US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Chief Counsel for the Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives, Chief Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, and Director of Policy and Communications at the US Department of Justice. Confirmed as US Attorney three days after the terrorist attacks on September 11, Mr. McNulty was entrusted with many of the United States highest profile terrorist prosecutions.

Mr. McNulty is the author of the controlling statement on federal prosecution of business organizations – the "McNulty Memorandum" – an essential element in determining how a corporation should respond to allegations of criminal wrongdoing. His experience in providing strategic advice and counsel to leaders at the highest levels of federal and state government – including the President, Governors, four Attorneys General, and many high-ranking Congressional leaders – is a valuable resource to clients.