Former U.S. Attorney Michael Battle Joins Barnes & Thornburg’s Litigation Department in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Barnes & Thornburg LLP announced today that Michael A. Battle has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C., office as a partner in the Litigation Department.

Battle has held several distinguished public service posts, including serving as director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys, where he oversaw all 93 U.S. Attorneys and acted as a liaison with other federal agencies. Previously, Battle was one of the first three federal defenders in the Western District of New York, where he was eventually appointed U.S. Attorney, serving from 2002-2005. He also spent six years as a judge on the Erie County (New York) Family Court bench, during which he decided hundreds of family law cases. Most recently at Schlam Stone & Dolan LLP, Battle’s practice is concentrated on commercial and civil litigation, white collar criminal issues, and appeals.

“Michael’s vast public service experience not only reflects his deep understanding of a variety of legal issues and intergovernmental agency processes, but his strong character as well,” said Karen McGee, managing partner of Barnes & Thornburg’s Washington, D.C., office. “He brings tremendous skill and clout to the already robust and talented group of white collar practitioners we have in our D.C. office. Adding Michael was just another step forward in our continued expansion of the office and we are excited to be growing through hiring and adding such high quality candidates.”

Battle is the latest prominent litigator and second former federal prosecutor to join Barnes & Thornburg’s Washington, D.C., office. Last year, former U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Roscoe Howard arrived with a high-caliber group that included Leasa Anderson and Meena Sinfelt.

As U.S. Attorney, Battle sat on the Attorney General’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and White Collar Fraud, and helped create a U.S. task force to prosecute fraud in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Following his career in public service, Battle has counseled clients on cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, health care fraud, the False Claims Act, and Disadvantaged Business regulatory violations, among others.

Battle earned his J.D. from SUNY Buffalo Law School, and his B.A. from Ithaca College, where he currently sits on the board of trustees. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and New York, and before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from 13 offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Delaware, Indiana, Los Angeles, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.