Chicago (August 19, 2026)—Ashurst Perkins Coie announced today the addition of Prava Palacharla as a partner in the firm’s Complex Litigation practice within the Litigation, Investigations & Advisory division. Prava is joining the firm’s Chicago office.
Prava will draw on her government experience in leading complex investigations and addressing emerging digital threats to advise clients on litigation and investigations involving cybersecurity, national security, and white-collar crime. She joins from the National Security Cyber Section of the DOJ’s National Security Division, where she managed multidisciplinary teams handling complex, cross-border cybersecurity prosecutions. Through her work, she collaborated with global law enforcement agencies, intelligence communities, financial institutions, and private sector entities. She also took part in working groups addressing the legal and national security implications of emerging technologies, such as AI and quantum computing.
“I’m excited to bring my government background to a forward-thinking firm with a strong technology focus,” Prava said. “My experience managing investigations into cybersecurity, national security, and white-collar crime has equipped me to advise the firm’s innovative clients on complex legal and regulatory challenges. Ashurst Perkins Coie is an ideal environment to provide strategic counsel on these critical issues.”
A seasoned trial attorney, Prava previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and a Senior Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, where she managed a portfolio of cybersecurity, national security, and white-collar crime matters involving wire fraud, computer fraud, international financial crime, economic espionage, export controls, and sanctions evasion. She also previously served as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Over the course of her career, Prava has worked on more than 70 trials, including 43 as first chair.
“As our clients’ needs continue to grow in complexity and global reach, Prava significantly strengthens our litigation and investigations capabilities,” said Shari Brandt and Julia Markley, Complex Litigation (U.S.) practice co-chairs at Ashurst Perkins Coie. “Her background handling sophisticated matters for the DOJ, ability to work seamlessly across government and corporate environments, and skill in advising companies on critical issues such as data protection and national security will make her a strong addition to our litigation practice.”
