Barclay Damon announces Pei Pei Cheng de Castro, former deputy counsel to New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, has joined the firm as a partner. Cheng de Castro will be resident in Barclay Damon’s New York City office and will bring her extensive knowledge to a number of the firm’s practice areas, including Commercial Litigation & Complex Trials, White Collar & Government Investigations, Regulatory, and Lobbying & Election Law Compliance.
Cheng de Castro is deeply familiar with the nuanced operations of state regulatory and executive agencies, particularly with regard to litigation, investigations, audits, ethics, risk management, labor and employment issues, and compliance matters touching a variety of industries. She has had a particular focus over the course of her career in the construction, real estate, technology, and health care industries. In her prior role as deputy counsel to the governor, Cheng de Castro oversaw all executive agencies in the state while also managing key special projects focused on advancing a number of policy goals critical to the state’s executive offices.
“I’m grateful for my time in the executive chamber, as it has given me valuable insight to approach matters in private practice,” Cheng de Castro said. “I am confident the unique perspectives I have gained will benefit the corporate and individual clients I expect to serve, including those affected by state, federal, and international government investigations and enforcement proceedings,” Cheng de Castro added. “I look forward to working with the firm’s talented attorneys, many of whom I’ve come to know throughout my career.”
David Burch, co-chair with former US attorney Dan French of the firm’s White Collar & Government Investigations Practice Area, described Cheng de Castro as a critical addition to the firm’s expanding litigation, compliance, and regulatory practices. “In addition to a keen legal mind, Pei Pei brings focused leadership skills that will benefit clients as well as colleagues,” Burch said. “The depth of her experience in both the public and private sectors will be invaluable to our clients.”
French, who recently served as senior vice president and general counsel at Syracuse University, described Cheng de Castro as a welcome addition to the firm across the board, including the White Collar & Government Investigations Practice Area he co-chairs with Burch. “Pei Pei’s experience enhances our already-robust capabilities, and she brings to the firm unique viewpoints and insights that few other firms in the state have.” Having known Cheng de Castro for several years, French said he is looking forward to working with her on the high-stakes matters clients bring to him and the firm.
Cheng de Castro is also looking forward to her new role. “Building relationships and helping people achieve their goals are of great importance to me,” she said. “I am looking forward to working closely with clients as I have throughout my career. I also hope to serve as a mentor to younger attorneys in the firm and profession generally, especially attorneys and law students who come from backgrounds similar to my own.” Cheng de Castro said Barclay Damon’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion program was a critical consideration for her as she looked to move back to private practice, and she expects to be an active participant in the firm’s expansive DEI activities.
Lizz Acee, managing director of Barclay Damon’s major market offices, commented that the firm continues to focus on growth in major market cities. “With our recent addition of attorneys from Murtha Cullina in New Haven and our combination with Shapiro, Lifschitz & Schram in Washington DC, as well as additions in Boston and New York City, our major market offices are growing just as we have planned. We’re thrilled to have Pei Pei join us in New York, and we have our sights set on continuing to strategically hire promising attorneys throughout our platform.”
Barclay Damon attorneys team across offices and practices to provide customized, targeted solutions grounded in industry knowledge and a deep understanding of our clients' businesses. With nearly 300 attorneys, Barclay Damon is a leading regional law firm that operates from a strategic platform of offices in Albany, Boston, Buffalo, New Haven, New York City, Rochester, Syracuse, Washington DC, and Toronto. Our firm serves clients across the country and, for some practices, provides US legal services around the globe. For more information, visit our award-winning website at barclaydamon.com.