"We really wanted to something to do something that meets this moment, because we think that we're at a really precarious point," Gaston said in an interview.

Cooney said, "Our view is that corruption imposes great harm to communities," and it incurs "economic costs, intrinsic costs."

"We could not be more excited to join this emerging market of boutique Washington law firms trying to provide clients serious, independent, conflict-free and zealous advocacy," Cooney said.

"Specifically in the area of the cost exacted by public corruption and turning a blind eye to it," Cooney said, there's a real need for "independent, conflict-free representation and advocacy across many spectrums."