Throughout his career in private practice and the public sector, Rafi has advised companies, institutions and individuals in some of the most high stakes, complex and consequential congressional and governmental investigations. He also assists with internal investigations, compliance audits and the development of effective compliance programs. Rafi is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA and is described as an “esteemed practitioner” and “a world-class lawyer with superb awareness, responsiveness and commitment to his clients."

In 2015, after over a decade in private practice, including as a partner at Akin, Rafi was appointed to a key role at DOJ, serving as an Associate Deputy Attorney General. He handled all facets of the DOJ’s responses to congressional oversight and investigations, which often involved parallel DOJ investigations and enforcement matters. He was also responsible for engagement with the DOJ Inspector General’s Office, the Government Accountability Office, and DOJ’s Office of Information Policy (overseeing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for the executive branch). He returned to Akin in 2017.

Rafi’s experience on both sides of high-profile investigations allows him to develop strategies that address not just the immediate scrutiny itself, but also broader reputational and business considerations, including the investigation’s potential impact on parallel criminal, civil and regulatory proceedings.

Rafi’s representations span a wide range of federal executive branch departments, commissions and agencies, including the departments of Justice, Defense, and Health and Human Services, among others. He has also helped clients navigate inquiries by state attorneys general, state legislative bodies and inspector general offices.

Rafi also devotes time s to pro bono matters, representing clients on a number of matters that have garnered significant national and international attention. This has included Rafi’s representation of The Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC and St. John’s Church in connection with congressional investigations into the forcible clearing of peaceful protesters from Lafayette Square, as well as the representation of a prominent witness (Mr. Jason Van Tatenhove) in connection with his testimony before the January 6th Committee regarding the danger posed by violent extremist groups. Rafi also spearheaded the firm’s pro bono representation of hundreds of Holocaust survivors and family members in their pursuit of justice from the French railroad company that was responsible for deporting these victims toward the death camps. His work on this matter, spanning almost a decade, resulted in an historic agreement between the U.S. and France in which France funded a more-than-$60 million compensation fund for the victims and their families, including Akin’s clients.

Rafi has served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and Fordham Law School, teaching a course on congressional investigations.