Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Sam Cooper has joined the firm as a partner with the Litigation practice in Houston. Mr. Cooper joins from Baker Botts LLP, where he was global co-chair of the White Collar and Corporate Investigations Group. He possesses diverse litigation and energy industry expertise, which will help reinforce the complex litigation, white-collar, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), investigations, and international arbitration capabilities at Paul Hastings.

“Sam’s arrival is another important step in building our energy related litigation practice,” said William Sullivan, global chair of the Litigation practice. “The global energy industry operates in a complex environment that is ripe for multi-jurisdictional disputes, investigations and enforcement actions. Sam’s skill set will allow us to help our clients with a wide range of these litigation challenges,” he added.

“Sam’s addition to our growing Houston office illustrates our commitment to build a broad and complete array of energy related skills of the highest quality,” said Greg Nelson, chair of the Houston office. “We are making great strides in Houston since our office opening in April of 2012. We have been helping our energy clients with transactional work, and are looking forward to now being able to offer them on-the-ground litigation expertise,” he added.

Mr. Cooper has substantial experience in securities and commercial litigation and has tried cases on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants before juries, arbitrators, and judges. His recent matters have included cases tried before the International Chamber of Commerce and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. He also has particular experience in representing companies in civil litigation arising out of government investigations, and has represented a number of clients, including boards of directors, in civil claims related to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations. Mr. Cooper also represents companies and individuals under investigation by governmental entities and works for boards of directors conducting internal corporate investigations.

Sam’s arrival follows the April 2012 opening of the firm’s office inHouston and the arrival of three energy-focused transactional partners:Greg Nelson, Paris Theofanidis, and Steven Tredennick. The firm also recently announced the hire of Lorenzo Parola, who joined the Energy and Corporate practices in Milan. Earlier this month, Paul Hastings also welcomed Nathaniel Edmonds as a partner in the Global Compliance and Disputes practice, based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Edmonds joined from the Department of Justice (DOJ), where he was an Assistant Chief of the Fraud Section, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Unit in the Criminal Division.

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