John Walsh

Practice Areas

John Walsh brings decades of federal government and private practice experience to lead WilmerHale's investigations, criminal litigation and complex civil litigation practice in the Denver office. He has received extensive awards and professional recognition. Most recently, Law Week Colorado named him Colorado’s Best Litigator and Best Overall Litigator for 2021. Mr. Walsh is the co-host of WilmerHale’s In the Public Interest podcast, which welcomes interesting guests who share their unique perspectives on challenging issues and topics making headlines.

After six years of service as Colorado’s US Attorney, national responsibility as chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of US Attorneys and a US Senate run in Colorado, Mr. Walsh focuses his practice on complex civil and criminal litigation, internal investigations, and international matters.

As US Attorney from 2010 to 2016, Mr. Walsh served in national-level leadership positions for DOJ, including service as chair of the national Attorney General's Advisory Committee of US Attorneys (AGAC). Mr. Walsh also served as co-chair of the AGAC's White Collar Crime Subcommittee, and as national co-chair of the Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities Fraud Working Group.

A fluent Spanish-speaker, Mr. Walsh has conducted internal investigations in countries across Latin America and around the world. He serves as co-chair of the Mexico Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law.

Prior to his service as US Attorney, Mr. Walsh practiced at two highly respected law firms in Denver for more than 15 years. As a partner for 11 years at Hill & Robbins, Mr. Walsh handled plaintiff-side business litigation and class action matters, a broad range of securities and commercial litigation, as well as internal investigations, including FCPA matters. Previously, he was counsel and then partner for five years at Holland & Hart.

Mr. Walsh began his practice as an Assistant US Attorney in Los Angeles, where he served for eight years, ultimately as Chief of the Major Frauds Section of that office's Criminal Division (1987–1995).

To learn more, visit: https://www.wilmerhale.com/en/people/john-walsh

Professional Memberships

Mr. Walsh has been an active community member and has held positions on many community boards and organizations, including:

-ABA Section of International Law, Mexico Committee – Co-Chair (2018–2019, 2020–2021);

-Candidate for the United States Senate (2019)

-Colorado Chief Justice's Commission on the Legal Profession (2012–2017);

-Invest in Kids, Inc. – Board Member (2017-present); Board Chair and Member (1996–2010);

-Escuela de Guadalupe, Denver – Board Member (2018–present)

-Colorado Lawyers Committee – Executive Committee Member and Board Member (1999–2010);

-Spanish-Speaking Lawyers Committee, Colorado Bar Association – Co-Founding Member (2008–2010);

-Faculty of Federal Advocates, US District Court – Board Member (2007–2010);

-Platform Committee, Colorado Democratic Party – Chair (2007–2008);

-Governor Ritter's Transition Team – Chair, Cabinet Candidate Vetting Team (2006–2007);

-Denver Post, Candidate for Denver District Attorney – Editorial Endorsement (2004);

-Leadership Denver Alumni Association – Board Chair and Member (2001–2005);

-United States-Mexico Law Institute, University of New Mexico School of Law – Board Member (1998–1999); and

-CBS News – Legal Commentator, Oklahoma City Bombing Trials in Denver (1996–1999).

Personal

JD, Stanford Law School, 1986, with honors

BA, Political Science, Williams College, 1983, magna cum laude