Former Federal Prosecutor Joins Ulmer & Berne

CLEVELAND  (September 9, 2013) – Ulmer & Berne LLP has significantly enhanced its Litigation Practice with the addition of prominent federal prosecutor Richard T. Hamilton, Jr., who will chair the firm’s White Collar practice group. Based in the firm’s Cleveland office, Mr. Hamilton joins the firm after spending the bulk of his 20-plus-year legal career as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and, most recently, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

“We are thrilled that Rick chose to join us. Over the last two decades, he has distinguished himself in numerous high-profile matters he handled during a career that resulted in multiple prestigious awards. His DOJ experience will enhance our ability to continue to provide the highest level of service to our clients,” said Michael N. Ungar, chair of Ulmer & Berne’s Litigation Department. “Rick’s tremendous experience in white collar and competition matters complements our existing litigation capabilities, and offers our clients access to exceptional counsel in these and other related areas.”

Mr. Hamilton led complex international, national and local white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions against individuals and corporations for violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act and related federal crimes, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), money laundering and multidefendant conspiracy cases. On the international front, as part of the Antitrust Division’s investigation of commercial price-fixing in the air cargo industry, Rick successfully led three separate investigations of individuals and corporations, culminating in the indictment of two ex-Air France executives. Rick also led a prominent FCPA and money laundering investigation involving the alleged payment of kickbacks and bribes to foreign officials related to the reconstruction of Iraq.   In addition, Rick initiated and led the Ohio and Florida-based investigations and prosecutions of 16 corporate and individual participants in the scrap metal industry on charges of criminal price-fixing, bid rigging, market allocation, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Mr. Hamilton’s work resulted in more than $16 million in criminal fines, payments of restitution to victims and significant jail time for certain industry participants.

Mr. Hamilton also initiated, developed and led a high-profile, industry-transforming investigation and prosecution of participants in the magazine distribution industry. What began as a local investigation into market monopolization quickly grew into a national examination of the business practices of more than 400 regional and national distributors, as well as magazine publishers and other industry suppliers. Following the successful civil phase of the investigation, Mr. Hamilton initiated and led national and international criminal investigations, resulting in a number of successful criminal prosecutions.

In addition, while serving as a trial attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Ohio, Mr. Hamilton was assigned to the Major and Cyber Crimes Unit, where he was responsible for prosecuting a wide variety of general crimes, including criminal immigration matters, bank fraud, theft of public property, credit card fraud and identity theft.    

“I have contemplated transitioning to private practice for a number of years, and the timing was finally right to make the move,” Mr. Hamilton said. “”With its strong litigation practice, Ulmer & Berne is the ideal platform for the next phase of my career.”

“We know that our clients will benefit immensely from Rick’s considerable skill and experience,” said Kip Reader, Ulmer & Berne’s managing partner. “Everyone who meets Rick speaks glowingly about him, both professionally and personally. Lawyers of Rick’s caliber continue to make Ulmer & Berne a destination firm for important and challenging litigation matters.”

Mr. Hamilton earned his LL.M. from The University of Pennsylvania School of Law, J.D. from The Duquesne University School of Law, and his B.A. from Youngstown State University.

About Ulmer & Berne LLP

Ulmer & Berne, established in 1908, is a full-service law firm focused on exceeding client expectations and delivering superior, customized legal solutions for an exceptional value. Its more than 185 attorneys, located in Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, serve as counselors and partners to a wide range of clients to help them solve their business challenges and achieve their goals. The firm represents publicly traded and privately held companies, financial institutions, hedge funds, private equity funds, pharmaceutical companies, international joint ventures and affiliations, investor groups, family offices, start-ups and emerging businesses, public bodies and nonprofit organizations. For more information, please visit www.ulmer.com.