Prior to re-joining Reed Smith, Rizzy served with distinction as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia. As an Assistant United States Attorney, he served in various roles, including a senior position in the Violent & Repeat Offender Unit where he prosecuted some of the District’s most violent offenders for various offenses, including armed robbery and homicide. Most recently, Rizzy served in a senior position in the Cyber Crime Section where he led grand jury investigations involving cyber intrusions or hacking, fraud, money laundering, business email compromise schemes, aggravated identity theft and other related offenses. For each of his four plus years at the United States Attorney’s Office, Rizzy received a Special Achievement Award from the Department of Justice in recognition of his trial and investigative work.

Before his government service, Rizzy served as a senior associate in Reed Smith’s New York and Washington, DC offices. His practice was devoted to a wide range of commercial and financial services litigation and government investigations. Rizzy has successfully counseled clients in complex investigations involving the False Claims Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other securities-related investigations with the SEC.

Rizzy also maintains a substantial pro bono practice. His representations include successfully withholding removal on behalf of a Haitian asylum applicant; representing the elderly; serving as a coach for high school and law school mock trial teams; and representing a prisoner on Alabama’s death row in his capital appeal.

Along with his practice, Rizzy is actively involved with the firm’s Hiring Committee and Diversity & Inclusion Committee.