Former U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles Joins Barnes & Thornburg in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS – National law firm, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, added former U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles Jr. to its Grand Rapids office, where he will focus his practice on corporate compliance, investigations, monitorships and business transactions. Barnes & Thornburg is the largest law firm with a Grand Rapids office and one of only two AmLaw100 law firms in Michigan.

Miles was the first black U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan and served from 2012 to 2017, by appointment of President Barack Obama. In this role, Miles combated gang violence, child exploitation, financial fraud and organized crime, including racketeering, firearm and drug distribution, among other civil and criminal matters. He also focused on improving community relations with law enforcement, aiding former prisoners with reentry, and assisting veterans with employment opportunities.

Miles is the third former U.S. Attorney to join Barnes & Thornburg in the past two years. They each practice as part of the firm’s white collar and investigations team.

Miles is a Grand Rapids native and is actively involved in the business community and civic affairs. Miles worked in private law practice for more than 20 years before holding public office, and he also ran as the Democratic nominee for Michigan’s Third District Congressional seat in 2010. Prior to his confirmation as U.S. Attorney by the Senate, he served more than two dozen charitable and professional boards and committees and presided over the Grand Rapids Bar Association as its elected president from 2004 to 2005.

“As a homegrown talent, Pat is a preeminent legal professional who is invested and prideful in the types of clients and matters he represents,” said Robert Sikkel, managing partner of the Grand Rapids office. “With a track record in this market that is second to none, Pat is capable of making immense business and civic contributions, and his decision to continue his legal career at Barnes & Thornburg is a testament to the work we’re doing in Western Michigan and throughout the country.”

Miles’ career and accomplishments have been recognized by numerous organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, West Michigan United Way, Grand Rapids chapter of the NAACP, Grand Rapids and Michigan Jaycees, as well as several local and regional business publications.

“I’m delighted to join Barnes & Thornburg, which has the size, scope and collaborative culture that fosters excellence in legal service,” added Miles.

Miles earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Law Record, and his B.S. in Business Administration from Aquinas College.

The firm’s other two former U.S. Attorneys, Michael Battle and Roscoe Howard, reside in its Washington, D.C., office. 

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.