Maurene Comey, Epstein Prosecutor, Joins Patterson Belknap as Partner

Lead: Maurene Comey, 37, joined New York law firm Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler as a partner on Feb. 25, 2026, months after the Trump administration abruptly ended her career as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. She is expected to handle white-collar defense and complex civil litigation at the firm. Comey had led or helped prosecute several high-profile matters, including cases connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and oversaw public corruption work such as the Robert Menendez bribery trial. She is simultaneously pursuing legal action challenging her July 16, 2025 dismissal from the Justice Department.

Key Takeaways

• Maurene Comey was named partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler on Feb. 25, 2026; the firm said she will focus on white-collar defense and complex civil litigation.
• Comey, 37, spent nearly a decade at the U.S. attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and handled 11 jury trials during her tenure.
• Her prosecutorial résumé includes roles in cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean Combs (Diddy), and she later supervised public corruption prosecutions including the Robert Menendez bribery trial; Menendez is serving an 11-year sentence.
• The Trump administration dismissed Comey without public explanation on July 16, 2025; she filed a lawsuit contesting that firing.
• The day after her dismissal she sent a message to former colleagues urging them not to yield to fear, a move the NYT reported as part of her public response.
• The hire adds prosecutorial experience to Patterson Belknap’s roster at a time when demand for white-collar defense remains strong in New York.

Background

The Southern District of New York (SDNY) has long been one of the nation’s most prominent federal prosecutor offices, known for major financial-crime, corruption and organized-crime cases. Assistant U.S. attorneys there typically rotate through high-stakes prosecutions that draw national attention. Over roughly ten years at SDNY, Comey rose to co-chief status in the unit that investigates violent and organized crime and later oversaw public corruption matters.

Her portfolio included participation in prosecutions tied to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, both central to a decade-long probe of sex-trafficking networks, and work on the prosecution of Sean Combs. She also played a supervisory role in the Robert Menendez bribery case; Menendez was convicted and received an 11-year federal sentence. That mix of sex-trafficking, public-corruption and high-profile criminal work positioned Comey as a senior, visible figure within SDNY.

Main Event

Patterson Belknap announced Comey’s elevation to partner on Feb. 25, 2026, saying she will practice in the firm’s white-collar defense and complex civil litigation groups. The firm is headquartered in Manhattan and has a reputation for handling corporate and regulatory disputes as well as high-stakes commercial litigation. Bringing a former federal prosecutor with courtroom experience is a common strategy for defense firms seeking both trial expertise and inside knowledge of federal enforcement tactics.

Comey’s federal career was cut short on July 16, 2025, when the Trump administration dismissed her from the U.S. attorney’s office without a public rationale. She promptly filed suit against the U.S. government, challenging the termination. In the days after her removal she sent a letter to colleagues urging resilience and warning against succumbing to fear; that message was widely reported in accounts of her departure.

At Patterson Belknap, Comey’s stated focus on white-collar defense and complex civil work signals a shift from public prosecution to representing clients facing government scrutiny or civil disputes. The firm will need to implement routine ethical screens and conflict checks before she takes on matters related to her former cases, a standard requirement under professional responsibility rules.

Analysis & Implications

Comey’s move exemplifies the revolving door between federal prosecution and private practice: prosecutors with trial experience are in high demand at firms representing corporate and individual defendants. Her 11 jury trials and supervisory roles give her technical credibility in litigation strategy, witness preparation and negotiating with federal investigators. For Patterson Belknap, the hire strengthens its bench in matters where knowledge of SDNY procedures and personnel can shape defense planning.

The political context of her firing and subsequent lawsuit raises questions about career vulnerability among line prosecutors during administrative transitions. Although removals of U.S. attorneys and some senior staff are routine when administrations change, the dismissal of an assistant U.S. attorney with a high-profile record drew attention because no public rationale was provided. That lack of transparency can affect internal morale and public perceptions of prosecutorial independence.

For clients, Comey’s background could be an asset: former prosecutors often bring insights into investigation timelines, charging thresholds and plea bargaining dynamics. At the same time, ethical screens and the bar’s conflict rules typically constrain former prosecutors from handling matters where they had substantial prior involvement, limiting immediate client opportunities related to her most notable cases.

Comparison & Data

The figures above place Comey’s move in context: a junior-to-mid career prosecutor with significant trial experience transitioning to private practice. The table clarifies the timeline between dismissal and her new role and highlights the mix of criminal and corruption matters that define her résumé.

Reactions & Quotes

The firm said she will join as a partner and handle white-collar defense alongside complex civil litigation, drawing on her courtroom and supervisory experience.

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler (firm)

After her dismissal, Comey told colleagues in a written message to resist yielding to fear, a sentiment widely reported as part of her immediate public response to being removed from the U.S. attorney’s office.

Maurene Comey (former assistant U.S. attorney)

Public comment from the Justice Department or SDNY about the dismissal was not included in reporting. Legal-market observers told reporters that firms frequently recruit former prosecutors for their trial skills and enforcement insight, while emphasizing standard conflict and ethical safeguards.

Unconfirmed

• No public explanation has been confirmed for why Comey was dismissed on July 16, 2025; the administration did not provide a rationale in reporting to date.
• It is not yet confirmed which specific clients, if any, Comey will represent immediately at Patterson Belknap or whether she will face recusals tied to prior SDNY matters.
• The timeline and likely outcome of Comey’s lawsuit challenging her firing remain unresolved and were not detailed in available reporting.

Bottom Line

Maurene Comey’s appointment at Patterson Belknap marks a high-profile transition from federal prosecution to private practice, bringing courtroom experience from some of the nation’s most prominent cases to a Manhattan firm. The hire underscores the continuing market for former prosecutors in white-collar defense while highlighting procedural safeguards that will limit her work on matters she handled at SDNY.

Her dismissal on July 16, 2025, and the pending lawsuit contesting that removal add a political and legal dimension to the story, with potential implications for prosecutorial independence and career stability within the Justice Department. Observers should watch the progress of her legal challenge and any public statements from the Department of Justice for further clarity.

Sources

• The New York Times — national newspaper reporting on Comey’s hiring and dismissal
• Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler — law firm website (official firm information)