Kramer Levin Names Paul Schoeman and Eric Tirschwell Co-Chairs of White Collar Defense and Investigations Group

NEW YORK, October 22,  2014 – Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP announced today that Paul H. Schoeman and Eric A. Tirschwell have been named co-chairs of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Group. Both are former federal prosecutors. They will take over leadership of a group that has handled many of the nation’s most high-profile white-collar cases and significant trials and has long ranked as among the best in the country.

“I’ve enjoyed watching Paul and Eric develop into two superb and highly respected white-collar defense lawyers since their arrival at the firm,” said Gary P. Naftalis, co-chair of the Firm and the Litigation Department. “Their promotions illustrate the depth of our White Collar group and provide a strong foundation for the group’s continued success litigating the nation’s most significant white-collar cases.”

“Paul and Eric have achieved tremendous success representing a broad array of institutions and individuals in both trial and investigative matters, and our clients will benefit from their experience and leadership,” said Barry H. Berke, co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department.

Mr. Schoeman and Mr. Tirschwell succeed Mr. Berke and Mr. Naftalis, who had been serving as co-chairs of both the Litigation Department and the White Collar Defense and Investigations Group.

Mr. Schoeman represents clients in a variety of major criminal, civil and regulatory cases and investigations. He has defended high-profile matters involving every aspect of white-collar crime, including securities fraud, money laundering, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, healthcare fraud, insider trading, accounting fraud and tax evasion. He has conducted numerous corporate internal investigations and represented corporate and individual clients in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice, SEC, CFTC, United States Congress, New York State Attorney General and others. Mr. Schoeman originally joined the firm in 2003. He left in 2007 to serve as the Chief Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, where he supervised the office’s Criminal and Civil Divisions. He rejoined the firm in 2009. Before joining Kramer Levin in 2003, Mr. Schoeman served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Tirschwell also represents individuals and companies in criminal and regulatory investigations and trials and handles complex business and constitutional litigation.  He has a long and successful record of defending clients in matters initiated by the SEC, various U.S. Attorney's Offices, the Department of Justice, the CFPB, and the New York State Attorney General.  In addition, he has conducted numerous internal investigations for large and small companies and non-profits. Mr. Tirschwell serves by appointment as the national Vice-Chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission’s Practitioners Advisory Group and is an author of a leading textbook and numerous articles on federal criminal practice.  He previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and supervisor in the Eastern District of New York, representing the government as lead prosecutor in scores of criminal cases and appeals ranging from securities, mortgage, and mail fraud to money laundering, embezzlement and international narcotics trafficking.  He also serves as chair of Kramer Levin’s Pro Bono Committee.

Kramer Levin’s White Collar Defense and Investigations Group has long been known for handling complex white-collar cases, from investigation through trial and appeal. The practice draws on a diverse group of lawyers with the experience and judgment to successfully guide clients through the complicated and sensitive issues presented by criminal and regulatory matters.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is a premier, full-service law firm with offices in New York, Silicon Valley and Paris.  Firm lawyers are leading practitioners in their respective fields.  The firm represents Global 1000 and emerging growth companies, institutions and individuals, across a broad range of industries.  For more information, please visit www.kramerlevin.com.