Cravath Swain’s Forrest Leaves Firm for Department of Justice

Cravath Swaine & Moore litigation partner Katherine B. Forrest is leaving the firm to serve the U.S. Department of Justice as deputy assistant attorney general in the antitrust division. According to the New York Law Journal, which first reported the news, Forrest is the fourth Cravath partner to leave the venerable firm this year.

Forrest, an antitrust and intellectual property specialist, joined Cravath in 1990 and made partner in 1998. In her role at the DOJ, she will oversee the operations of the antitrust division’s criminal and civil programs, the New York Law Journal reports.

Evan R. Chesler, presiding partner of Cravath, Swaine & Moore, commented on the move in a prepared statement.

“We are very excited for Katherine as she takes on this new challenge,” Chesler said. “The firm has a long tradition of commitment to public service and Katherine is joining a long line of Cravath partners who have accepted important government service roles over the years.”

He added that he hopes Forrest would eventually return to the firm when her term in public service is completed.