Bracewell Hires Former SDNY Official Jason Richman

The law firm adds a veteran prosecutor to its government enforcement and investigations group in New York.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bracewell Hires Former SDNY Official Jason Richman

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Bracewell LLP has hired former U.S. Attorney's Office official Jason Richman as a partner in its New York office. Richman joins the firm's government enforcement and investigations practice group following over a decade of service at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

Why it matters

Richman brings extensive experience in complex federal investigations, including the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, to the private sector. His transition marks a significant personnel shift from federal prosecution to corporate legal defense.

Richman spent over a decade at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. He served for three years as the Co-Chief of the National Security and International Narcotics Unit.

The players

Jason Richman

A legal professional and former prosecutor who served as Co-Chief of the National Security and International Narcotics Unit.

Bracewell LLP

An international law firm that focuses on energy, infrastructure, finance, and technology sectors.

Nicolás Maduro

The President of Venezuela who faced an indictment brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office while Richman served there.

The details

Jason Richman transitions to the private firm after a long tenure as a high-level federal prosecutor in New York. Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office in 2015, he worked as an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP and earned degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University School of Law.

2015: Richman joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the SDNY.
October 26, 2026: Bracewell LLP announced the hiring of Jason Richman.

Legal Context

The hiring of a veteran prosecutor who led the indictment of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro reflects a broader trend of law firms recruiting high-level government attorneys to bolster their white-collar defense practices. This move positions the firm to handle complex, high-stakes investigations that mirror the high-profile federal cases managed by the Southern District of New York.

This staffing change has no immediate impact on public safety or local ordinances for New York City residents. However, it signals a shift in the legal landscape regarding which firms represent parties in federal government investigations.

The takeaway

Top-tier law firms frequently recruit senior federal prosecutors to strengthen their defense capabilities. These career moves often signal an increase in corporate demand for expertise in navigating complex government investigations.