Munger, Tolles & Olson (MTO) added Bridget Fitzpatrick as a partner in its Washington, D.C. office. Fitzpatrick previously served at the most senior levels of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A seasoned trial lawyer, Fitzpatrick has personally tried more than 30 cases to verdict.
Fitzpatrick most recently served as the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia after a three-year tenure as the Office’s Principal Assistant U.S. Attorney. In these roles, Fitzpatrick oversaw the largest U.S. Attorney’s office in the country with approximately 950 attorneys and professional support staff. Prior to working for the Department of Justice, Fitzpatrick served as chief litigation counsel for the SEC from 2017 to 2022 and held positions at the agency dating back to 2012. As a senior officer and the agency’s top litigator, Fitzpatrick worked with enforcement attorneys nationwide on litigated cases in federal court and administrative proceedings and supervised the agency’s trial unit. She also supervised staff responsible for bankruptcy, collections, distributions and receivership work, overseeing the return of more than $4 billion to harmed investors.
During her time at the SEC, Fitzpatrick personally handled some of the agency’s toughest civil litigation and trials. Fitzpatrick is a two-time recipient of the Chairman’s Award for Excellence based on her leading the trial team in SEC v. Wyly, prevailing in a six-week trial, and her in-court work in SEC v. Tourre, a fraud case based on misrepresentations made in connection with a $1 billion collateralized debt obligation marketed on the eve of the financial crisis. Fitzpatrick also served as lead counsel in dozens of criminal trials and argued several appeals as an assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., prior to joining the SEC.
At MTO, Fitzpatrick will leverage her proven trial skills and high level government experience to counsel clients in a wide range of litigation, compliance and enforcement matters. She brings deep white collar, securities and civil litigation experience to the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, which opened in 2016 with the arrival of former U.S. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. and has grown in recent years with accomplished government lawyers.
“Bridget’s addition demonstrates our continued focus on excellence, our deep bench of government lawyers who have practiced at the highest level, and our commitment to serving clients with the skill and insight needed to navigate their most challenging matters,” Brad Brian, chair of the firm, said. “We are delighted to have her join MTO.”
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I had to work with amazing lawyers across the country during my public service career,” Fitzpatrick said. “I have long respected MTO’s deep bench of talented lawyers and reputation for professional excellence, which make it an ideal place to return to private practice. I’m looking forward to working with MTO’s extraordinary lawyers to help clients navigate their most complex challenges.”
Verrilli said, “Bridget’s distinguished government experience and understanding of complex compliance and enforcement matters will be a tremendous asset to our clients. She shares the excellence and integrity that defines our approach to client service.”
