Davis Polk today announced that William J. Hochul, Jr., a veteran federal prosecutor, former General Counsel of a highly diversified, government-regulated global business, and prior member of the board of directors of a large healthcare provider and employer, has joined the firm’s White Collar Defense & Investigations practice in New York as counsel.

“We are delighted to welcome Bill to the Firm,” said Neil Barr, Davis Polk’s Managing Partner. “He is a highly respected lawyer whose long and distinguished history of public service, record of board service and experience as a General Counsel make him especially attuned to the needs of our clients.”

At Davis Polk, Mr. Hochul will advise clients on a range of matters, including complex government and internal investigations, crisis management, communications strategy and risk mitigation.

Mr. Hochul most recently served, from November 2016 until August 2023, as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Delaware North Companies, the multinational food service, gaming and hospitality company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. As General Counsel, Mr. Hochul oversaw the company’s legal function, leading an international team of lawyers, and provided advice and counsel to senior management in all legal matters involving Delaware North or its operating companies.

Prior to that role, Mr. Hochul served for nearly 30 years in various roles at the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2009, President Obama nominated Mr. Hochul to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York, a position he held following the Senate’s unanimous confirmation until 2016. As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Hochul oversaw the prosecution of all federal criminal cases brought within the 17 counties of Western New York and also directed and supervised all other matters occurring in the District in which the United States was a party.

From 1991 until 2010, Mr. Hochul served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Western District of New York. He first joined the Department in 1987 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. During his tenure as an AUSA, Mr. Hochul successfully investigated and prosecuted hundreds of companies and individuals engaged in a variety of federal and other offenses, including money laundering, racketeering, terrorism, and sophisticated financial and violent schemes. He also advised foreign governments on investigating matters including corruption and money laundering.

Mr. Hochul said, “I look forward to joining Davis Polk’s formidable white collar defense team and working together to help clients navigate their most complex investigations and advisory matters.”

The recipient of numerous awards and honors from governmental and community groups, Mr. Hochul notably was awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service – the highest award conferred by the Department of Justice – in recognition of his work as an AUSA to dismantle the Lackawanna Six, as well as a Service to America Award, presented by the Partnership for Public Service.

Mr. Hochul is a frequent lecturer, in the United States and internationally, on numerous topics, and has taught law school classes as an adjunct professor, most recently on corporate crisis response. Mr. Hochul has served as a director on multiple boards, including that of Kaleida Health, Western New York’s largest healthcare provider and employer.

Mr. Hochul earned his J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

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