Friedman Kaplan Expands White Collar Practice with Addition of Partner Rahul Agarwal

Friedman Kaplan proudly announces that Rahul Agarwal has returned to the firm as a partner following twelve years of government service in New York and New Jersey. Rahul is an accomplished trial lawyer and a seasoned litigator with a multi-faceted practice focused on representing corporate and individual clients in a variety of white collar defense and investigations matters as well as in connection with complex commercial litigation and crisis management.

Rahul practiced at Friedman Kaplan earlier in his career before leaving the firm in 2012 to become a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey where he served for nearly a decade, including as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Acting Principal Assistant United States Attorney (where he was second in command in the Office). Rahul then spent two years as Deputy Chief Counsel in the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, where he advised the Mayor and City Hall on a wide range of legal, ethical, and strategic matters involving criminal justice, health, education, economic development, human rights, and housing.

“We are incredibly happy to welcome Rahul back to Friedman Kaplan. He brings impressive experience as both a long-time federal prosecutor in New Jersey and in New York City government, both of which further strengthen the firm’s existing white collar and litigation practices. Beyond that, Rahul is a fantastic colleague and friend who many of us were fortunate to work with prior to his years of government service. Our clients and our firm will benefit tremendously from Rahul’s skills, insight, and dedication,” said Mary Mulligan, co-head of the firm’s Chambers and Legal 500-recognized white collar criminal defense practice.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to once again practice with many of the colleagues who played integral roles as friends and mentors earlier in my career,” said Rahul. “Friedman Kaplan is home to an incredible group of smart, creative, and collaborative people who care deeply about providing exemplary client service. I’m excited to be back and look forward to applying my experiences and perspectives towards helping our clients.”

In addition to his legal practice, Rahul is an active member of the South Asian Bar Association of New York and previously served a term as the organization’s President and multiple terms on its Board of Directors. He is also on the Board of Directors of the Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program, which helps cultivate and develop future leaders from underserved communities.

Rahul’s experience includes clerkships in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey with the Honorable Jose L. Linares and with the Honorable Esther Salas (then U.S. Magistrate Judge). He is a graduate of Columbia Law School and earned his undergraduate degree from Brown University.