Former general counsel and current vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase Stephen M. Cutler will join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in April as a litigation partner.

Cutler will be responsible for advising companies, boards and senior executives on government and internal investigations, corporate governance and regulatory matters and high-stakes litigation.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve to Simpson Thacher,” said Bill Dougherty, chairman of Simpson Thacher’s Executive Committee. “He is highly respected for his leadership and distinguished service in both the public and private sectors. Our clients will benefit from his unparalleled experience and insight as they navigate their most complex and challenging issues.”

“I am delighted to return to private practice at Simpson Thacher,” Cutler said. “It is an outstanding firm with which I have worked closely for many years. I look forward to partnering with wonderful colleagues and advising clients on some of their most important matters.”

Cutler joined JPMorgan in 2007 and served as general counsel and head of the company’s legal and compliance activities worldwide throughout the global financial crisis. Prior to his tenure at JPMorgan, he served as director of enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2001 to 2005, leading the agency’s investigations of numerous high-profile financial reporting, broker-dealer and investment advisor matters. Both before and after his work at the SEC, Cutler served as a partner at WilmerHale in Washington, D.C.