Uzo Asonye
A seasoned trial lawyer who previously spent more than a decade investigating and prosecuting complex financial and public corruption cases.
Uzo is a seasoned trial lawyer who, before joining the firm, spent more than a decade prosecuting complex financial crimes and public corruption. He advises companies and individuals in connection with government, grand jury and internal investigations, and represents clients in criminal and civil trials. He has deep experience in matters involving insider trading, market manipulation, public corruption and other areas of financial fraud.
Before joining Davis Polk in 2020, Uzo was Acting Chief of the Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. While in government, he led major fraud and public corruption cases, and tried numerous multi-defendant, complex cases to guilty verdicts before juries. In 2018, he served in the Office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller during its investigation into Russian government interference in the 2016 election, where he successfully prosecuted a former U.S. presidential campaign manager.
Experience highlights
- A global financial institution in an investigation relating to CARES Act loans before DOJ, SBA, CFPB, state AG offices and Congress
- A global financial institution in connection with potential fraud in Ecuador
- A senior automotive manager of a major automobile manufacturer in connection with a federal criminal investigation
- A financial institution in an internal investigation regarding alleged financial manipulation and other misconduct
- A national consulting company in connection with investigations by the DOJ and IRS into tax matters
News
Credentials
Recognition
Benchmark Litigation – United States and New York, Star
Executive Office for United States Attorneys Director’s Award for Superior Performance as Criminal AUSA, 2016
Recognized by the FBI for outstanding prosecution skills, 2014-2016 and 2020
Education
- Production and Case Notes Editor, Yale Law & Policy Review
- with honors
- Alpern Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Service
Professional history
- Partner, Davis Polk, 2020-present
- Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Unit, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2010-2020
- Acting Chief, 2019-2020
- Deputy Chief, 2018-2019
- Trial Attorney, Special Counsel’s Office, 2018
- Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2010-2020
- Associate, O’Melveny & Myers, 2005-2010
Qualifications and admissions
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Colorado
- U.S. District Court, E.D. Michigan