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Eric Russo heads our White Collar, Investigations, and Litigation practice in France, leading a team widely recognized for its dedication to achieving the best outcomes for its clients. His clients praise his availability, strategic thinking, and technical expertise. With exceptional knowledge in the legal field, Eric is able to quickly mobilize resources, identify the right strategies, and provide straightforward advice and guidance tailored his clients' objectives. Eric is a versatile lawyer who has established himself as a leading figure in white-collar defense, cross-border investigations and regulatory enforcement. He has gained recognition for his in-depth expertise in commercial and business law, shareholder disputes and civil litigation. Before joining Quinn Emanuel, Eric served for over two decades in the French judiciary. Most notably, he was 1st Deputy Prosecutor at the Parquet National Financier (PNF), France’s premier financial crimes prosecution office, where he led several high profile investigations. Under his leadership, the PNF secured several landmark sanctions, including a historic €3.7 billion fine in a tax fraud and money laundering case. Eric was also the first prosecutor to secure the signing of a € 300 million CJIP in 2017 and a € 3.6 billion fine in a corruption case in 2021 through a multijurisdictional coordinated settlement with the US DoJ and the UK SFO. His remarkable contributions earned him recognition as 'PNF’s Rising Star' by Les Echos, in 2020, his team being named “Prosecutor of the Year” by Global Investigations Review. Eric also served as Deputy Head of the corporate restructuring and bankruptcy department and Head of the Contract law department at the French Ministry of Justice. Eric Russo is also deeply engaged in legal education, serving as a lecturer at Sciences Po Paris, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, CY Paris Cergy University, and in various professional training programs for attorneys and magistrates. He is regularly recognized in leading directories such as Legal 500 EMEA and Best Lawyers.
