Whether taking on terrorists, the mob or white-collar criminals as U.S. Attorney, addressing the major issues raised by the financial crisis as Chair of the SEC or guiding clients through “bet the company” legal crises as a partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, Mary Jo White has blazed a remarkable trail of achievement and she is still outpacing everyone, working 24/7 and leading Debevoise’s strategic crisis response and solutions group.
I met Mary Jo in 1978, when we both served as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Southern District of New York. Mary Jo quickly earned her trademark reputation as a fiercely competitive and driven lawyer. These traits were immediately apparent in the courtroom as she prosecuted her first terrorism case, and on the basketball court as she played point guard for our winning women’s basketball team. Even then, it was clear that her brilliance, strong work ethic and fearlessness foreshadowed an extraordinary career. We also began a friendship that has lasted over 40 years.
