Laura Colombell Marshall, an accomplished white collar defense lawyer and longtime federal prosecutor, has joined McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department as a partner in Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Marshall represents businesses on a range of criminal, civil and regulatory enforcement matters. She has successfully defended multinational companies and executives facing high-stakes investigations, criminal exposure and reputational risk. Before joining McGuireWoods, she led the white collar defense and internal investigations team at an Am Law 100 firm.
Marshall brings a substantial amount of experience from her time in public service. She previously served for 15 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, handling numerous federal jury trials and successfully arguing five cases before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1999 to 2007, she was a JAG officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and handled procurement fraud matters.
“Laura is highly respected for the results she achieved handling complex civil and criminal matters as a government lawyer and in private practice,” said Todd Steggerda, chair of the firm’s Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department. “Her skill and unique insight will provide powerful advantages to clients navigating government enforcement actions and regulatory compliance issues.”
With more than 75 attorneys — including former federal prosecutors and enforcement officials, former U.S. attorneys and a deputy attorney general of the United States — McGuireWoods’ Government Investigations & White Collar Litigation Department has represented Fortune 100 companies and individuals in some of the most prominent and complicated criminal, regulatory and investigative matters of the past decade.
“Laura’s impressive range of experience, sound judgment and professional relationships are tremendous assets for the firm and our clients,” said Dion Hayes, deputy managing partner of the firm’s litigation practices.
“Laura has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and achieving creative solutions for her clients. We are delighted to have her on the McGuireWoods team,” added Michael Herring, managing partner of the firm’s Richmond office and the city’s former commonwealth’s attorney.
Marshall began her career as an associate at McGuireWoods and member of the government investigations team before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1998. Throughout her career, she has developed a national profile as a leading white collar lawyer and earned recognition by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation, The National Law Journal and Global Investigations Review.
“McGuireWoods is a powerhouse in high-stakes litigation and government investigations. I am excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the firm’s world-class lawyers and put my experience to work for our clients,” Marshall said.
McGuireWoods ranks among the world’s leading investigations firms in the GIR 100, a guide to top cross-border investigations practices based on independent research by Global Investigations Review. In addition, Law360 has twice named McGuireWoods a White Collar Practice Group of the Year.