Former State Department Official Catherine S. Duval Joins Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP is pleased to announce that Catherine S. Duval has joined the firm’s Washington, DC office as partner. Ms. Duval will focus on representing law firms and lawyers on professional responsibility matters and advising clients in congressional and government investigations.

Ms. Duval comes to the firm from the U.S. Department of State, where she served as a top advisor on oversight and high-profile investigations. She brings over a decade of experience in government investigations, white collar defense, and civil litigation, including serving as Counselor to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service and in private practice at Williams & Connolly LLP. 

“Kate is an outstanding lawyer. In the last several years, Kate has handled some very complicated and high profile government investigations, and while in private practice handled complex and contentious litigation for law firm clients,” said Zuckerman Spaeder chairman Graeme W. Bush. “We are very fortunate that Kate will bring her experience and expertise to assist Zuckerman Spaeder’s clients facing congressional and government investigations or the type of complex litigation that is core to our work. Her arrival is a significant addition to our practice representing law firms and lawyers facing complicated malpractice, other civil litigation, and criminal investigations.”

Prior to her recent government service, Ms. Duval was in private practice at Williams & Connolly LLP, where she represented law firms, companies, and individuals in a range of litigation matters and government investigations. Ms. Duval has extensive experience representing lawyers and law firms, and for several years served as a Hearing Committee Member for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board of Professional Responsibility.

In addition to her service in the executive branch, Ms. Duval also has Congressional experience, working as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator James M. Jeffords (then R-VT) and in the judicial branch as a law clerk for the Hon. Fred I. Parker of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She is a cum laude graduate of the Duke University School of Law and a magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University.

“Zuckerman Spaeder is an exceptional litigation and investigations boutique with a stellar reputation and high caliber team of lawyers,” said Ms. Duval. “The firm’s work complements my experience counseling senior executives, attorneys, and officials in high-stakes investigations and litigation. I look forward to serving clients with the expertise I gained while navigating complex issues at the highest levels of government.”

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Kalie Hardos
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