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Cyrus Vance

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Cyrus Vance Jr. has earned a well-deserved international reputation as a trial attorney with a proven track record in high-stake litigation and global investigations. As the Co-Chair of Baker McKenzie's North America Government Enforcement Practice, Cyrus is well-known for his expertise in white collar criminal investigations, complex civil and criminal litigation, sanctions enforcement, compliance and cybersecurity. With over three decades of experience in both public and private sector, Cyrus provides invaluable guidance to clients navigating cross-border investigations, enforcement matters, and cybersecurity incidents. Prior to joining the Firm, Cyrus served three consecutive four-year terms as Manhattan District Attorney, overseeing a team of over 600 prosecutors. He handled landmark criminal prosecutions, including the successful litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. Vance and the conviction of Harvey Weinstein on two felony sex crimes. He also managed more than 100,000 cases annually, including complex white collar and business crimes both domestically and internationally. Cyrus regularly collaborated with regulatory and crime-fighting partners such as the City of London Police, Paris Prosecutors' Office, Singapore Attorney General, Europol and Interpol, and is known for his ability to build and manage teams collaboratively across borders and agencies. As Global Chair of the Cybersecurity Practice at Baker McKenzie, Cyrus is at the forefront of cybersecurity law. He co-founded New York City's Cyber Critical Infrastructure Task Force, establishing one of the first public-private partnerships dedicated to mitigating cyber risks on critical infrastructure. Cyrus also founded the Global Cyber Alliance (GCA), a global non-profit consortium providing expert guidance on cyber risks and prevention to members worldwide. Cyrus is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a sought-after speaker and author. He has testified numerous times before the US Senate and House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, among others, as well as state and city agencies, on issues ranging from global terrorism, white collar crime, cybercrime, sex trafficking, corporate transparency and gun violence, demonstrating the breadth of his credibility and expertise in the legal field. Throughout his career, Cyrus has been a vocal advocate on justice issues, amplifying his dedication to promoting fairness and the rule of law. By leveraging his extensive experience and successful track record, Cyrus effectively guides clients through high-profile cases and complex legal matters. His strategic approach, coupled with his deep understanding of global investigations and cybersecurity, makes him a trusted advisor in today's evolving legal landscape.

In brief On June 26, 2024, in Snyder v. United States, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Kavanaugh, significantly limited the federal statute criminalizing gratuities in state and local jurisdictions. Snyder, a mayor, awarded a USD 1.3 million contract and received a USD 13,000 payment from the benefiting company. The Supreme Court ruled that the relevant statute, Title 18 section 666, applies only to bribes paid or promised before an official act,…

In brief On 8 July 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement of cybersecurity fraud charges against Aerojet Rocketdyne Inc. (Aerojet) following an action under the False Claims Act (FCA). Aerojet agreed to pay USD 9 million to the US government to settle allegations that it misrepresented its compliance with cybersecurity requirements when entering into federal government contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. The case started when Aerojet’s former employee, Brian Markus, filed…