Luck, Ties Drive Lucrative Big Law Corporate Monitoring for U.S.

The Biden administration’s interest in imposing more corporate monitorships has white-collar attorneys hustling for a lucrative gig for which luck and connections matter as much as qualifications.

The role can mean substantial billings for Big Law attorneys appointed by the Justice Department to probe lawbreaking companies post-settlement, correcting their compliance systems to prevent recurring misconduct. Costs can easily reach tens of millions of dollars and possibly nine figures for particularly lengthy and complex monitorships.

The first challenge is learning the opportunity exists: The imposition of a monitor is commonly made public only after someone is chosen. DOJ makes the ...