Lisa Phelan has been the Chief of the Antitrust Division’s Washington Criminal 1 Section (called the National Criminal Enforcement before that) for the last 16 years.  But, Lisa is now moving on to new challenges as a partner in Morrison & Foerster’s Global Antitrust practice.

Lisa has had an amazing career, first as an Antitrust Division trial attorney, and then as Chief of one of the Division’s busiest criminal sections.  Lisa joined the Division in 1986 and worked on fax paper, one of the Divison’s first international cartel investigations.  It was the first of many cartel investigations Lisa led, first as lead attorney and later as Chief of the Section.  The wide-ranging, record-breaking auto parts international cartel investigation was led by Lisa.

Morrison & Foerster issued a press release announcing Lisa’s joining the firm (here). There is also an article in Law 360 about Lisa’s DOJ career here (behind a pay wall).  I’ll just add a few comments as someone who was Lisa’s colleague for many years.  I got to know Lisa well because we were both Chiefs of criminal sections. (Lisa had a Hall of Fame career.  I managed to get the Philadelphia Field Office closed and now write a blog :-). Lisa is very competitive. There was a healthy competition among the criminal sections for new matters and Lisa would always fight to get good investigations for her staff.  And antitrust law, particularly cartel investigations, excited Lisa the entire time she was with the Division.  She never lost her enthusiasm or energy.  When she began a new investigation it was not uncommon for Lisa (even as Chief) to hop on a train, plane or car to “drop-in” on potential witnesses to try to get that early break.  Lisa was a tremendous advocate for the consumers of the United States as a prosecutor and she will no doubt now bring that same talent and energy to assisting clients on the other side of DOJ cartel investigations.  She is also just a lot of fun to work with.

Congratulations Lisa.

Thanks for reading.  Bob Connolly