Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney has brought on a new chair of its white-collar defense, compliance and investigations practice, bringing on Michael Engle in Philadelphia.

Engle joined the firm as a shareholder Monday, along with counsel Ashley Shapiro. Both are moving their practices from Philadelphia-based midsize firm Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, which they joined less than three years ago.

Before that, Engle, who is well known in the Philadelphia white-collar bar, was a name partner at Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt & Flores, which he joined in 2013.

"This was an opportunity for me, and frankly for us, to join a national firm with a truly national presence and a platform in certain key areas that have crossover with white-collar," Engle said, highlighting Buchanan's work in the energy, health care, life sciences and financial services sectors. The firm is "well situated in those industries not just in Pennsylvania and this particular region, but across the United States," he said.

Engle added that being part of the white-collar group at Stradley was "a wonderful opportunity," but he is excited to join a white-collar practice that has existed for more than 25 years.

Marc Tepper, shareholder and head of Buchanan's Philadelphia office, said the white-collar practice now has over 20 lawyers firmwide.

"It's a growing team and I'm sure it's going to grow even more with Ashley and Mike steering that direction," Tepper said.

Engle said he and Shapiro are bringing with them all of their current client matters, which number at least 50.

Engle has represented clients in a string of high-profile federal criminal cases.

They include one of the fraternity brothers from Penn State University who was charged in the death of a pledge, Tim Piazza. That client, Gary DiBileo, ultimately entered a guilty plea on seven charges related to the hazing, and according to court records, Engle is currently defending him in an insurance coverage dispute with Nationwide related to the civil case over Piazza's death.

Engle also represented former Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Joseph C. Waters Jr., who pleaded guilty to corruption charges and was ultimately sentenced to two years in prison for fixing cases for campaign donors. He represented Jeffrey Suzenski, who was charged with seeking improper influence on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission with regard to employment and procurement practices. The charges against Suzenski were dismissed in exchange for his participation in an accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.

Engle said it's too early to talk specifics about adding more people to Buchanan's practice, but the firm wants to enhance its white-collar presence in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Florida and California.

"They're places I see strategically with the sectors we've talked about, those markets are places where I've practiced, Ashley's practiced, and all the people in our group have touch points," Engle said. Shapiro went to college and law school in Florida, and she said she looks forward to being part of a firm with offices there so she can better connect with her contacts there.

"We want to form a cohesive unit of attorneys across the U.S.," Engle said.

Asked about the pair's move, Stradley chairman Bill Sasso wished them well, noting that they were only with the firm less than three years.

"We're handling sophisticated work in this area before they joined and we will continue to do so," Sasso said. "These things happen anymore with laterals. We never lose our people who have been with us a long time."

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