Former Federal Prosecutor Matthew Burke Joins Scale LLP as Partner

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After 16 years in public service, former federal prosecutor Matthew Burke is joining Scale LLP as a Partner in its white-collar litigation practice. Burke joins Scale with a deep background in complex investigations and a reputation for handling high-stakes federal cases.

Most recently, Burke served as Assistant Special Counsel under Special Counsel Jack Smith in the investigation of the efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election and the certification of the Electoral College vote on January 6, 2021. Burke further assisted in the prosecution of a former president that arose from that investigation. Prior to that, Burke worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where he led scores of complex public corruption and fraud prosecutions.

“We couldn’t be more proud that Matt has decided to join Scale. His skill, experience, and his history of service as a prosecutor and member of the Special Counsel team really set him apart,” said Scale LLP Managing Partner David Reidy. “Adding someone of his caliber is a testament to the change we’re creating. Matt joins a team that includes former government lawyers, public and private company GCs, BigLaw veterans and entrepreneurs, and we’re excited to see what he will do as head of our internal investigations practice.”

Scale is redefining the law firm experience, offering lawyers autonomy, flexibility, and financial transparency. The firm fosters an environment where self-driven attorneys can collaborate and build a lasting legacy. Joining Scale brings Burke back to the private sector, where he can continue the work he’s passionate about.

“Coming out of the government, I was hungry for autonomy and the opportunity to build my own practice in an entrepreneurial way,” said Burke. “I wanted the chance to handle white-collar matters, run internal investigations, work on complex civil litigation, and help build a team of exceptional people, all while maintaining the ability to steer the direction of my career. Scale’s model strikes me as a fundamentally better platform to do all of that. A model that is both better for the clients and better for the lawyers.”

Before working at the Special Counsel’s Office, Burke investigated and prosecuted numerous complex and sensitive cases in both Chicago and the Eastern District of Virginia. Among other matters, he led the investigation and prosecution of an imposter who posed falsely for years as a covert CIA operative and who successfully had infiltrated the United States government; led the government’s multiagency investigation, prosecution, and trial of a bribery and kickback conspiracy orchestrated from within the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General; spearheaded the investigation, prosecution, and trial of a bribery conspiracy at the Department of Commerce; and led the investigation and prosecution of multiple domestic and international fraud and money laundering cases.

Before his service as a federal prosecutor, Burke practiced complex commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense at Mayer Brown LLP. At the beginning of his legal career, Burke served as a law clerk to Judge Benson E. Legg on the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, and to Judge Joel M. Flaum on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Burke earned his law degree from Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.

“We also appear to be at a critical turning point in the market for legal services,” said Burke. “Clients feel that they are not receiving the value they deserve, while an astonishing number of talented lawyers are profoundly dissatisfied with the practice of law. Call me. We’re building something better here.”

Learn more about how Scale is building a better law firm experience.

About Scale LLP

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