Vinson & Elkins has strengthened its environmental and white-collar crime practice, hiring Ronald Tenpas, a former assistant attorney general for the environment and natural resources division of the U.S. Department of Justice, as a partner in Washington, D.C.

Tenpas, who focuses his practice on government enforcement matters, joined Vinson & Elkins on Monday from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he had practiced since 2009 after spending 12 years with the DOJ. He served as AAG from 2007 through 2009, and earlier served as a U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Illinois.