Description of field of expertise

Nadira Clarke is known for her tenacious defense of corporations and executives facing large-scale, multi-faceted governmental investigations. A first-chair trial lawyer who is engaged in high-stakes matters, she focuses her practice on technically complex regulatory enforcement matters. She draws upon her knowledge of the government decision-making process and provides calm, decisive counsel in a crisis.

Nadira previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, and a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Well-versed in the area of corporate compliance and business ethics, she worked with two separate corporate monitor teams appointed by the court to oversee compliance of companies in the wake of criminal prosecution. She previously served as counsel to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Professional Responsibility, where she led internal professional ethics investigations involving federal prosecutors and high-ranking DOJ officials.

Early in her career, Nadira served in the highly selective U.S. Attorney General’s Honor Program for the DOJ, and worked as a trial attorney with the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), including the Environmental Crimes Section and the Natural Resource Section. She was also selected to serve as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Attorney General for the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the DOJ.

Nadira is a frequent industry speaker, and has been recognized by Chambers USA for “excellent experience in government investigations arising from environmental and workplace safety incidents.” Her pro bono work includes mentoring and litigating sex discrimination and political asylum cases.

 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

The more specialized your area of practice, the greater the demand for your work and expertise.  I am first and foremost a litigator, but the fact that I focus on environmental crimes and crisis –a relatively specialized area of the law — has meant that there has been a consistent demand for my services.  Clients feel better hiring an environmental litigator that is conversant in the underlying environmental regulations.  Being a strong litigator is not enough.  Additionally, if you elect to focus on white collar crime as an area of practice, it is important to structure your career so that you can spend at least several years as a federal or state prosecutor or public defender.  Only in government service can you obtain the necessary trial experience, and clients strongly prefer engaging counsel with real-world experience and contacts.

Final thoughts…

The key to success, in my view, is firmly planted in being comfortable in your own skin and self aware.  Employers and clients are attracted to people who are friendly, curious and confident.  Certainly they expect competence, but it is generally assumed.  Enthusiasm and diligence are irresistible characteristics!