Ropes & Gray is pleased to announce that Christopher P. Conniff has joined the firm's Government Enforcement Group as a partner. Conniff will base his practice in the firm's New York office.

Conniff comes to Ropes & Gray after serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York for six years. During this time, he led teams that prevailed in a number of significant and highly publicized cases, including the prosecution of more than 30 members and associates of the Gambino Organized Crime Family of La Cosa Nostra and of an international arms-trafficking organization. In addition, he investigated and prosecuted defendants in a variety of cases, including money laundering, fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, RICO, murder in aid of racketeering, and narcotics trafficking. He has also argued appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Before serving as a federal prosecutor, Conniff was a partner at Gage & Pavlis, representing clients in cases ranging from public corruption to fraud and tax evasion, as well as complex civil matters. For example, he advised one of three defendants in one of the largest international bank-fraud cases ever brought by the New York County District Attorney's Office. He also successfully defended an Internet research firm in a securities class-action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and a national discount brokerage firm against an executive's breach of contract.

"Our clients in New York and throughout the country have gained another impressive advocate," said Joan McPhee, co-chair of the Government Enforcement Group. "Christopher's impressive experience both as a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney in private practice will be a valuable addition to Ropes & Gray's Government Enforcement Group."

Conniff is admitted to the bars of the State of New York and of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He earned his undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross and his law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Contact:
Joan McPhee
t. 617-951-7535

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