PHILADELPHIA, January 02, 2025: Morgan Lewis is pleased to announce that litigators and former prosecutors Ashley Lynam and Jacob Sand have joined the firm to continue their practice on complex litigation matters, high-profile investigations, and corporate compliance and public company board representations. Arriving from Montgomery McCracken and resident in Morgan Lewis’s Philadelphia office, Ashley joins today, with Jacob arriving later this month.
“Established and experienced lawyers with demonstrated trial and crisis management skills in the most sensitive of matters facing corporations and institutions are highly valued by our clients,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “Having led teams in high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation and guided clients through crises and government and internal investigations, Ashley and Jacob are an exceptional fit to deepen our capabilities in this space.”
Ashley, who most recently served as chair at her prior firm, represents businesses in disputes related to executive misconduct, fraud, sexual harassment, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, trade secret misappropriation, and RICO claims. She also manages complex internal investigations and counsels company leadership in negotiations with regulatory agencies. Prior to entering private practice, Ashley spent five years as an assistant district attorney in the Special Victims Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
Jacob represents clients in federal and state courts across the United States as lead and national counsel in complex commercial and class-based litigation. He also conducts internal investigations for private companies and government agencies and counsels clients on compliance issues including cybersecurity, data privacy, risk management, export control, Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issues, and the design and implementation of effective Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-bribery compliance. Prior to entering private practice, Jacob served as an assistant district attorney in the Major Trials Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
“Ashley and Jacob have handled significant litigation and internal investigations, and their deep industry knowledge, market reputation, and combined track record will enhance our global disputes platform in key markets,” said Troy Brown, leader of the firm’s global litigation practice. “Their legal acumen, strategic problem-solving skills, and entrepreneurial spirit, along with a shared prioritization of client service excellence and collaboration, will ensure success for our clients.”
Morgan Lewis’s global litigation team has deepened its bench over the past year, welcoming nearly 20 partners in a wide range of practice areas and concentrations, including white collar litigation and government investigations, securities enforcement, class action and product liability litigation, intellectual property, and financial services litigation. The firm’s recent additions include trial lawyers Aliza Karetnick and Diana Cortes in Philadelphia, Stephen Hall in Boston, and Edward Ulloa in Los Angeles; former SEC official Carolyn Welshhans in Washington, DC; business disputes litigator Daja Apetz-Dreier in Munich; global investigations litigator Bingna Guo in Beijing; intellectual property litigators Tim Powell and Hiroshi Sheraton in London and Dr. Alexander Klett and Dr. Christoph Mikyska in Munich; former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) senior official Alice Hrdy in Washington, DC; financial services litigator Stacie Hartman in Chicago; consumer class action and product liability partners April Ross and Rachel Raphael in Washington, DC and Mohamed Awan in Chicago; transportation regulatory partner Latane Montague in Washington, DC; and government contracts partner Alex Hastings in Washington, DC.