James Cole, Deputy Attorney General of the United States, has joined law firm Sidley as a partner in its white-collar government litigation and investigations practice. Cole will focus his practice on a full range of federal enforcement and internal investigation matters, with a particular emphasis on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional matters. 

As Deputy Attorney General, a role he held from 2011 until January 2015, Cole worked closely with Attorney General Eric Holder in formulating and implementing key policies and programs for the Department of Justice, and was responsible for the day-to-day supervision and direction of all organizational units of the Department. Among key initiatives during his tenure, Cole developed stronger coordination between the Justice Department and financial regulatory agencies, including the SEC and the IRS, and between Justice Department and overseas law enforcement, regulatory, and policy making agencies in countries including the U.K., France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Cole first joined the Justice Department in 1979, where he served for 13 years in different roles, including as a trial attorney in the Criminal Division, and as Deputy Chief of the Division’s Public Integrity Section, before leaving for private practice. As partner in an international law firm, he worked on white collar defense matters and corporate counseling.

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