King & Spalding announced May 17 that Cliff Stricklin has joined the firm as a partner in its special matters and government investigations team. Stricklin will be based in the firm’s Denver office.
Stricklin, a former member of the management board and global leader of the investigations, financial regulations and white collar practice group at an international AmLaw 100 law firm also has experience as a judge, prosecutor and defense counsel. Stricklin’s experience spans civil and criminal matters, securities enforcement and regulation, False Claims Act cases and industrial accidents and the environmental, energy, technology, health care, engineering and food production industries. He has performed internal investigations on behalf of corporations and boards on subjects that include corporate governance and control, audit and accounting issues, and sensitive personnel matters.
“Cliff serves as a trusted advisor to Boards of Directors and management in handling their most important business and legal issues,” said Zach Fardon, who leads King & Spalding’s government natters practice. “He is an accomplished lawyer with a versatile skill set and excellent judgment that clients deeply value.”
Stricklin has previously held leadership roles with the U.S. Department of Justice, including as first assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado and assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Texas. As a federal prosecutor, he was the lead trial attorney in high-profile financial fraud and securities cases, including Enron and Qwest.
During his four-year term as a state Texas district judge, Stricklin heard thousands of cases, with not one case overturned on appeal. He also earned the role of presiding judge in Dallas County, Texas, where he implemented measures designed to bring openness and fairness to the justice system.
He received his law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law and undergraduate degree from Baylor University.
“King & Spalding’s investigations and litigation expertise and reputation are well deserved and are the best in class,” Stricklin said. “I am honored to join a world-class team to help build upon the reputation of the firm both nationally and in the Denver marketplace.”