Latham Adds Two Former Prosecutors to Bay Area and Los Angeles Offices

Latham & Watkins LLP¹ is pleased to announce that Scott Joiner and Alex Wyman have joined the firm as partners in the White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice and as members of the Litigation & Trial Department. Joiner joins the Bay Area offices following seven years of service as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Northern District of California, most recently in the Corporate & Securities Fraud Section and previously on the Organized Crime Strike Force. Wyman joins the Los Angeles office after five years of service as an AUSA for the Central District of California, where he was the Securities Investment Fraud Coordinator and Corporate Fraud Coordinator in the Major Frauds Section.

“We are excited to add to our team such well-respected former federal prosecutors with extensive investigative and trial experience across the spectrum of white collar cases,” said Doug Greenburg, Global Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice. “Scott and Alex are talented litigators and their experience, credentials, and substantive abilities will enhance the practice’s offerings across California and beyond.”

Joiner is a seasoned trial lawyer who has led teams on a wide range of white collar matters, including those involving allegations of securities fraud, cryptocurrency, investment and bank fraud, insider trading, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act matters, public corruption, and money laundering. Before joining the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, Joiner worked in private practice on complex commercial litigation, antitrust, and securities matters. During a four-year tenure in the US Marine Corps, he successfully tried numerous criminal cases to verdict as a judge advocate while handling a wide variety of military justice matters. He also deployed to Iraq with a Marine Corps infantry battalion, receiving the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Ramadi in 2007.

“Scott is a fantastic addition to our Bay Area white collar team. His experience leading complex trials and investigations will be invaluable to our clients,” said Tad Freese, Managing Partner of the Bay Area Offices. “During his time at the US Attorney’s Office, he worked on a variety of matters that position him for success with Latham’s White Collar Defense & Investigations Practice, including securities fraud, investment fraud, financial institution fraud, insider trading, and FCPA violations.”

Joiner added: “I appreciate Latham’s trial-ready approach and deep investigatory experience, as well as the firm’s broader litigation platform. I look forward to building an active local and national practice and upholding the practice’s reputation for excellence built on the firm’s collegial culture and team-based approach.”

As an AUSA, Wyman served as lead or co-lead prosecutor in eight jury and bench trials and handled high-profile investigations involving securities fraud, healthcare fraud, investment fraud, financial institution fraud, tax fraud, government contract fraud, insurance fraud, and corporate embezzlement and kickbacks. In 2021, he earned the Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant United States Attorney for successfully prosecuting a complex insurance fraud and murder case.

“From day one, Alex’s trial and investigative experience will enable him to effectively support clients facing high-profile criminal and civil disputes,” said Larry Seymour, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner. “He will help clients in Southern California and beyond navigate the complex legal risks and challenges inherent in doing business in today’s global economy.”
 
Wyman added: “I have always admired Latham’s talented lawyers, collaborative culture, diverse client roster, and robust platform. I look forward to working with some of the brightest litigators in the industry and building my practice at a firm with the global resources to meet any client need.”

Joiner received his JD from the Georgetown University Law Center and his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Wyman received his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and his BA from Princeton University. In 2014, he clerked for Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell of the US District Court for the Central District of California.

About Latham & Watkins

Latham & Watkins delivers innovative solutions to complex legal and business challenges around the world. From a global platform, our lawyers advise clients on market-shaping transactions, high-stakes litigation and trials, and sophisticated regulatory matters. Latham is one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono services, steadfastly supports initiatives designed to advance diversity within the firm and the legal profession, and is committed to exploring and promoting environmental sustainability.

Notes to Editors

¹ Latham & Watkins operates worldwide as a limited liability partnership organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (USA) with affiliated limited liability partnerships conducting the practice in France, Hong Kong, Italy, Singapore, and the United Kingdom and as an affiliated partnership conducting the practice in Japan. Latham & Watkins operates in Israel through a limited liability company. Latham & Watkins operates in South Korea as a Foreign Legal Consultant Office. Latham & Watkins works in cooperation with the Law Firm of Salman M. Al-Sudairi, a limited liability company, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.