MoloLamken Adds Accomplished Federal Prosecutor

Chicago September 27, 2017 — MoloLamken LLP, a premier national litigation boutique, today announced that Megan Cunniff Church, an acclaimed federal prosecutor in Chicago, has joined the firm as a partner in the Chicago office.

Church served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois for more than nine years, most recently as a deputy chief of the office’s Financial Crimes and General Crimes sections. She led a number of high-profile investigations and prosecutions — including the case that led to the conviction of former Chicago Public Schools Chief Executive Barbara Byrd-Bennett on public corruption charges.

“Megan is highly respected by judges, defense lawyers, and her colleagues in the Department of Justice. She earned her reputation through outstanding courtroom work as well as tireless preparation, both things that MoloLamken is known for,” said partner Steven Molo. “She will be a great fit.”

“We handle high-stakes, cutting-edge litigation for clients around the world. Our effectiveness depends on attracting the very best talent — stars like Megan,” said partner Jeffrey Lamken.

MoloLamken continues to build a track record of success in courtrooms across the country. In July, the firm won reversal of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s conviction on public corruption charges in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Earlier in the year, a trial court found for its hedge fund clients in a $500 million dispute concerning the distribution process in a mortgage-backed securities settlement involving Bank of America and Countrywide. It also achieved a major win in the U.S. Supreme Court in Ziglar v. Abbasi, a case involving government officials invoking immunity.

“MoloLamken is involved in some of the most important litigation in America today,” Church said. “I see my experience investigating and prosecuting complex financial crimes being of great value not only to the firm’s white collar defense practice but also to its work for investors and other plaintiffs for whom it has recovered billions of dollars.

“This is a firm of savvy, committed courtroom lawyers who share a wonderful entrepreneurial spirit. I look forward to developing an interesting and exciting docket,” she added.

“I also was impressed by the firm’s focus on diversity, notably the recent hiring of Jessica Ortiz, a former federal prosecutor in New York, who was wonderful and candid with her input as I considered joining the firm. MoloLamken has a reputation for being highly collaborative. That reputation clearly has been built by fostering a culture of inclusiveness.”

Securing Victories With a New Model

MoloLamken was formed in October 2009 to focus exclusively on representing clients in complex disputes — business litigation, intellectual property litigation, white collar criminal and regulatory matters for clients throughout the world. It does that in federal and state trial and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

The firm and its lawyers have been consistently ranked highly by such organizations as Chambers and Partners, Lawdragon, Benchmark Litigation,Super Lawyers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers in America, Leading Lawyers, and Vault. It has been named a top 10 firm on the National Law JournalLitigation Boutiques Hot List.

Founding partners Steven Molo and Jeffrey Lamken developed national reputations based on courtroom successes at large full-service firms, where they held leadership positions. The firm's approach is premised on the belief that complex litigation is most effectively handled by smaller teams comprised of smart, highly experienced lawyers focused on results. Rather than the traditional hourly billing method, MoloLamken prefers value-based fee arrangements that provide clients with predictability and reward the firm for results. Its clients include leading corporations, boards, funds, investors, inventors, executives, individuals, and foreign sovereigns.

There are five new associates also joining the firm. They have completed clerkships for judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Eighth, District of Columbia, and Federal Circuits.

About Megan Cunniff Church 

While a federal prosecutor, Church tried 16 cases and was involved in a number of appeals. Previously, she clerked for the Honorable William J. Bauer of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Honorable Joan H. Lefkow of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. She also worked as an associate at Baker McKenzie.

Church received her J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law and her B.A. from Georgetown University.

About MoloLamken LLP

“High-powered litigation boutique,” Above the Law. “One of the top litigation firms in the U.S.,” Benchmark Litigation. “Outstanding and has real trial prowess,” Legal 500. “All Star litigation shop,” Law360. “An elite litigation shop,” Vault.com. “One of the country’s most prestigious litigation boutiques,” Lawdragon.

For more information please visit www.mololamken.com.