WilmerHale is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Burger as a partner in the firm’s UK white collar defence and investigations practice, effective January 2023.

Burger joins from another international law firm where he was co-head of the Corporate Investigations practice. At WilmerHale, he will advise both corporates and senior executives in their defence of regulatory investigations/prosecutions, as well as on governance, close supervisory enquiries, and non-financial misconduct across multiple jurisdictions.

A former enforcement lawyer and prosecutor with the FSA, the predecessor to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Burger has over 25 years’ experience of representing regulated firms, corporates and individuals in UK and international regulatory enforcement, criminal and internal corporate investigations.

Burger has successfully defended clients under investigation by a wide range of agencies and prosecution authorities including the FCA, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), National Crime Agency (NCA) and US Department of Justice (DoJ), as well as acting for professional services firms and their partners under investigation by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), ICAEW, and Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Burger sits as Chair of the Disciplinary Panel for the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

His experience spans all aspects of criminal and regulatory investigations, including: bribery and corruption, fraud, insider dealing and market misconduct, money laundering, tax evasion, extradition proceedings and financial and trade sanction breaches. He also advises regulated financial services firms, accountants and solicitors, on a range of governance, risk management, anti-financial crime and conduct matters.

Stephen Pollard, partner and head of WilmerHale’s UK white collar defence and investigations practice, said: “Richard is a first-rate lawyer, whose extensive regulatory and investigations experience complements our existing market-leading transatlantic capabilities. We’re delighted to welcome him to the firm at a time when companies and individuals alike are facing increased regulatory scrutiny and enforcement activity. I look forward to working with him in the development of our strong practice in London.”

“Richard’s background and achievements make him an excellent fit for our firm,” said Robert Novick, a co-managing partner. “We welcome him to a team that is among the most successful in our industry at achieving optimal results for clients with complex regulatory and investigatory challenges, particularly in cross-border matters.” 

Burger commented: “WilmerHale’s reputation for defending corporations and individuals in the most high-profile and complex investigations is second to none. I look forward to contributing to the practice’s continued development as we help clients mitigate and navigate regulatory and white collar enforcement challenges.”