Karen Hewitt

Hewitt, the former U.S. attorney for the Southern District, has successfully litigated hundreds of federal cases over the past 20 years. She now heads a team of 45 attorneys in Jones Day's San Diego office with an array of practice areas including intellectual property, life sciences, civil litigation, products liability, employment, white collar and corporate law.

"Our office is thriving because we work well as a team within California and across our 42 offices throughout the world," Hewitt said. "We have a singular focus on serving our clients, which is something that resonates with me because it gives extra meaning to our work."

Hewitt has a sprawling government investigation's practice that focuses on the Anti-Kickback Statute; the False Claims Act; the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

She is currently leading the defense in a pending Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigation into Walmart's practices in Mexico, South America and Asia.

She also is involved in matters involving a major healthcare firm and a franchisor.

Although her life may have changed considerably since she left the U.S. attorney's office in 2010, there is no lack of challenge.

"Each year in private practice has brought for me new issues and interesting clients," Hewitt said. "I am blessed to work with a tremendous team."

? Thor Biberman