A Powerhouse Addition to the D.C. Office

Morrison Foerster (MoFo), a global law firm, has considerably strengthened its Washington, D.C. presence with the addition of Carlos Felipe Uriarte as a partner and co-chair of its Congressional Investigations Group. Mr. Uriarte, formerly the Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legislative Affairs at the U.S.Department of Justice (DOJ), brings nearly two decades of experience to the firm.

His expertise spans conducting and defending against congressional investigations, working within the DOJ and congress, and serving in senior in-house compliance and regulatory roles. This diverse background positions him to represent clients facing complex and high-stakes government investigations and enforcement actions.

Strategic Expansion Continues

Mr. Uriarte’s arrival is part of a broader strategic expansion of MoFo’s crisis management and government investigations teams in Washington,D.C. this follows the recent additions of David Newman, co-chair of the National Security practice, and Margot Benedict, former Senior Counselor to the Attorney General, who rejoined the firm as of counsel.

• David Newman: Former second-ranking national security official at the DOJ.
• Margot Benedict: Adds experience in government-facing national security and crisis management matters.

Expert Commentary

David Newman, co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s National Security and Crisis Management Groups, emphasized the value Mr. Uriarte brings to the firm and its clients:

At a time when our clients in virtually every industry and sector are seeking sophisticated guidance on how to navigate the changing government enforcement landscape, few lawyers have Carlos’ unique combination of congressional investigations experience at the highest levels of the DOJ, coupled with notable prior senior in-house compliance and regulatory roles. His extensive experience in and out of government has given him a deep understanding of how to navigate the complex dynamics and relationships that underpin congressional inquiries, making him a tremendous strategic asset for the firm, for our D.C. office, and for our clients facing bet-the-company government investigations and enforcement matters.
David Newman, Morrison Foerster

Uriarte’s DOJ Tenure

As DOJ’s Assistant Attorney General for the office of legislative Affairs, mr. Uriarte was a key advisor to the Attorney General. His responsibilities included:

• Managing the Department’s relationships with congressional leaders.
• Setting legislative strategy.
• Advising DOJ leadership on legal and policy objectives.
• Overseeing responses to oversight and investigative requests from Congress.

He also negotiated high-stakes matters with congressional leadership, met with lawmakers on key committees, and testified before the House and Senate judiciary Committees.

From Fortune 100 to healthcare Tech

Before returning to the DOJ in 2022, Mr. Uriarte held senior compliance roles in the private sector. He served as a senior compliance executive at a Fortune 100 financial institution and led the legal regulatory team at a venture-backed healthcare technology company. In these positions, he built and led internal compliance functions and engaged with government regulators.

A Career Spanning Government and Congress

Mr. Uriarte’s career includes pivotal roles in numerous high-profile congressional inquiries. His experience includes:

• chief Counsel for Investigations on the house Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
• Counsel on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
• Judiciary and oversight counsel to Rep.Judy chu.
• Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General at DOJ.
• Senior Counsel in the Office of the Secretary of the Interior.

Uriarte’s Outlook

Mr.Uriarte expressed his enthusiasm for joining morrison Foerster:

I am eager to leverage my experience defending against high-stakes congressional investigations and advising corporate leaders on managing legal and regulatory risk to advise companies navigating bet-the-company inquiries from Congress and the executive branch. I chose Morrison Foerster because of its outstanding government investigations and enforcement practices, coupled with a deep bench of veteran lawyers who advise clients on cutting-edge legal issues. I am excited to join this talented team and contribute to the firm’s continued success in delivering sophisticated strategic guidance to our clients.
Carlos Felipe Uriarte, Morrison Foerster

A Deep Bench of Expertise

Morrison Foerster’s congressional investigations practice boasts a cross-disciplinary team with extensive experience in responding to congressional inquiries and preparing clients to testify before Congress. Key members include:

• Joe Folio: Former Chief Counsel of the Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
• Brandon van Grack: Former Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for national Security.
• Robert Litt: former General Counsel to the Director of National Intelligence.

The firm also includes other experienced practitioners who have handled complex congressional-facing matters in both government and private practice.

FAQ: congressional Investigations

What is a congressional investigation?

An inquiry conducted by a committee of the U.S. congress, often involving subpoenas and testimony, to gather information for potential legislation or oversight.

Why are congressional investigations significant?

They provide openness, hold government and private entities accountable, and inform the legislative process.

What should I do if my company is facing a congressional investigation?

seek experienced legal counsel instantly to navigate the complex legal and political landscape.