Dowd Bennett Welcomes Former Federal Prosecutor Michelle Nasser
ST. LOUIS – Sept. 20, 2016 – Dowd Bennett LLP announced today that Michelle Nasser, a former federal prosecutor with extensive investigation and first chair trial experience, has joined the firm as partner.
Nasser joins Dowd Bennett from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago, where she served for more than 13 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, in the Major Case and Financial Crimes, General Crimes and Violent Crimes sections. During her time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she investigated, prosecuted and tried cases involving allegations of complex fraud, public corruption, tax violations, racketeering, violent crimes and firearms offense. Most often serving as first chair, Nasser tried to verdict 14 federal district court jury trials and one federal district court bench trial, with all her trials resulting in convictions against all defendants.
“Michelle’s extensive government experience fits in well with our firm and will be immensely valuable to our clients,” said Edward Dowd, a founding partner at Dowd Bennett. “She has a proven track record as an extremely talented first chair trial lawyer, and we look forward to working alongside her in the office and the courtroom.”
Nasser’s arrival supplements Dowd Bennett’s current extensive roster of former federal prosecutors, including Ed Dowd, Jim Martin, Gabe Gore, and Jim Crowe. “Dowd Bennett is a powerhouse of experienced attorneys,” Nasser said. “I’m excited to work with this impressive team and for the opportunity be part of such a highly regarded firm.”
Outside the courtroom, Nasser has taught trial advocacy and human trafficking seminars as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. She also taught trial advocacy at the DOJ’s National Advocacy Center. Before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nasser was an associate at Jenner & Block LLP in Chicago. She received her B.A. magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, and her J.D. from the Washington University School of Law.