Withers and Quinn Emanuel have announced senior international law hires into their New York offices. Withers has appointed Martin Auerbach (pictured) as head of white collar defence and investigations while Dennis H. Hranitzky has joined Quinn Emanuel as head of sovereign litigation from Dechert.

Auerbach joins international private client specialist Withers as of counsel with a brief to defend wealthy and high-profile clients caught up in criminal investigations.

He arrives at Withers having practised in New York as a sole practitioner where he worked with media and reputation management specialists to provide a crisis management service.

Clients have included Michael Milken, while, as a federal prosecutor, he was involved in the high-profile Marc Rich tax evasion case. Rich - an international fugitive who had fled to Switzerland - was controversially pardoned by Bill Clinton on his last day in office as US president.

Withers disputes head Peter Wood said: “Since the financial crisis in 2008, governmental and regulatory investigations are increasingly tenacious, alongside white collar prosecutions and the use of the media to attack and damage reputations. 

“These can have a profound impact on those things our clients value most and have worked hardest to build – their families, businesses, assets, careers and reputations.”

Meanwhile, at Quinn Emanuel it is anticipated that Hranitzky will spend a significant amount of time in the firm’s London office in his new role heading up sovereign litigation.

High-profile work at his former firm, Dechert, included being a lead member of the award-winning team that advised hedge fund manager Elliott Management and affiliate NML Capital in relation to a 13-year legal battle triggered by Argentina’s 2001 default on US$100bn of debt.