News & Insights

Lightfoot Adds Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon K. Essig to White Collar Practice

March 6, 2017

Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC has hired Brandon Essig as a partner in the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Corporate Investigations practice. He will work out of the Birmingham office.

Essig joins Lightfoot after a decade of public service, including nearly eight years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Middle District of Alabama. As the office’s lead white collar prosecutor, he tried multiple felony jury trials a year, including public corruption, money laundering and various fraud cases. He also wrote multiple briefs and presented oral arguments to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Prior to his time at the Department of Justice, Essig served as a prosecutor and advisor in the U.S. Marine Corps. His career also includes serving in the legal department of a major defense contractor.

“We are pleased to add Brandon to the existing deep bench of our white collar team,” said Lightfoot managing partner Wynn M. Shuford. “His many years with the DOJ make him an invaluable asset to both the firm and our clients.”

Essig represents businesses and individuals in criminal matters before federal and state courts. He draws extensively on the many years he spent as lead trial counsel for cases brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Essig also has broad experience with internal investigations. During his time as in-house counsel with a major defense contractor, he managed and conducted internal investigations and drafted a manual that established processes for using the findings to guide compliance policies and procedures.

“Brandon’s trial experience, combined with his time as internal corporate counsel, provides a boost to our capabilities not only in the courtroom but also with regard to corporate counsel and compliance,” said Lightfoot partner Jack Sharman, head of the firm’s White Collar practice.

“When I was contemplating the next phase of my career, Lightfoot stood out as a firm that would provide me with a solid platform as I entered private practice,” said Essig. “It’s a privilege to work at a firm of this caliber and alongside a team of such highly respected colleagues.”

Essig holds a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and was an award-winning member of the Alabama Trial Advocacy Team. He has a B.A. (cum laude) from the University of West Alabama.