Paul Perkins, Former Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, Joins Morrison Foerster as a Partner

(September 22, 2026) – Morrison Foerster, a leading global law firm, is pleased to announce the arrival of Paul Perkins as a partner in the Investigations + White Collar Defense Group and chair of the False Claims Act (FCA) practice in the Washington, D.C. office. Perkins brings over 15 years of government and private practice experience to the firm, including more than a decade of deep FCA experience. He has served in a number of senior roles in DOJ leadership, and in that capacity, he directed major FCA and other enforcement matters, personally negotiated nine-figure settlements, and shaped national FCA enforcement policy and priorities.

A career member of the Senior Executive Service, Perkins most recently served as Associate Deputy Attorney General, where he shaped federal enforcement strategy across complex civil, criminal, and regulatory matters. He brings firsthand understanding of DOJ priorities and resolution dynamics, offering healthcare, life sciences, and other regulated-industry clients invaluable assistance navigating government investigations, internal investigations, and compliance. Prior to serving as Associate Deputy AG, he served for four years as Deputy Director of the Civil Fraud Section, helping to lead a national office of more than 150 attorneys that contributed to over $13 billion in FCA recoveries. Before that, he served as Chief of Staff and Special Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Division, and as Counsel and Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General. Earlier, he served as a Trial Attorney in the Civil Division’s Fraud Section. He began his career as a litigation attorney at another leading global law firm, where he defended Fortune 500 companies in government and regulatory investigations.

“We’re fortunate to have Paul join us at this critical time as the U.S. government sharpens its focus on fraud enforcement,” said Ruti Smithline, global co-chair of Morrison Foerster’s Litigation Department. “During his over 10 years at DOJ, Paul handled major healthcare fraud matters while also serving in senior leadership roles at Main Justice. That unique combination of frontline and leadership experience, and his insider’s understanding of how enforcement priorities are set, staffed, and resolved, will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”

“MoFo’s leading government enforcement and crisis management team and its sophisticated multinational corporate clients make it an ideal place to strengthen its top-tier False Claims Act practice,” said Perkins. “I look forward to drawing on my DOJ leadership and enforcement experience to help clients across healthcare and life sciences, cybersecurity and technology, trade, and other industries navigate an increasingly active enforcement environment.”

Perkins is the latest in a series of high-profile additions to the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, including Annie Wartanian Reisinger in National Security; Carlos Uriarte and Kim Hamm in Congressional Investigations; Chris Chamberlain, who recently relocated to Singapore, and Jason Lebowitz in National Security. The firm has also bolstered its Investigations + White Collar Defense practice in California with the additions of Leif Dautch in San Francisco and Tara McGrath in San Diego.