Jeffrey A. Brown
Partner | New York
Jeffrey A. Brown

Jeff Brown, co-chair of Dechert’s Enforcement and Investigations practice group, is a trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who represents companies and individuals in criminal and civil regulatory investigations as well as related matters, including class action securities and shareholder derivative claims. Mr. Brown often advises clients regarding cryptocurrency issues and has represented numerous clients in matters involving market manipulation and spoofing. Mr. Brown previously worked for nine years at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, where he served as Co-Chief of the General Crimes Unit. Many of Mr. Brown’s representations at Dechert involve prosecutions and investigations brought by his former Office.

The recipient of the 2011 Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, during his time at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he prosecuted several high-profile cases, including United States v. Faisal Shahzad, the Times Square bomber, and United States v. Abduwali Muse, the Somali pirate who led the attempted hijacking of the Maersk Alabama.

In 2025, Mr. Brown was ranked by Chambers USA for Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, noting that he leverages his extensive experience as a former prosecutor to expertly represent companies and individuals in criminal and civil investigations, and highlights his strong trial capability. Clients describe him as “a hard-working, personable attorney, with great experience” and “reliable.” He is recognized as “a great white-collar attorney” who stands out for his “excellent judgment” and his “real ability to empathize with the client's perspective and needs.” He is also recognized by the Legal 500 for Dispute Resolution: Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense.

  • An individual in an SDNY investigation into sanctions evasion and money laundering relating to a cryptocurrency “mixer."
  • Multiple employees of a blockchain-based platform in parallel SDNY/SEC investigations.
  • An individual in a DOJ FCPA investigation regarding the oil and gas industry in Mexico.
  • A cooperating witness in an SDNY prosecution of the founder of a bankrupt crypto exchange.
  • Individuals at a quantitative trading firm in connection with parallel SDNY/SEC investigations.
  • An individual in computer hacking and money laundering charges brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern District of California and Southern District of New York arising out of an alleged scheme to steal cryptocurrency.
  • The former CEO of Hertz Corp. in a precedent-setting clawback lawsuit in which the client was awarded a complete victory on summary judgment.
  • Multiple former Fortune 100 CEOs in investigations brought by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC and FTC, as well as related civil actions brought by private plaintiffs.
  • An individual in an internal FCPA investigation regarding a real estate transaction in Africa.
  • An equities trader at a market-leading broker-dealer in connection with DOJ and SEC investigations into alleged improprieties in block trading.
  • Multiple debt, equities and derivatives traders in investigations regarding alleged misrepresentations and market  manipulation, including “spoofing.”
  • A multinational manufacturing company in connection with class action products liability litigation and multiple related criminal and regulatory investigations.
  • A national professional services firm in connection with an internal investigation arising from the departure of a former partner charged with criminal activity.
  • A Payday Lender in a civil regulatory action filed in the District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Mr. Brown’s pro bono experience includes representing federal inmates in requests for pardons, sentence reductions, and other clemency. He recently represented Tracy McCarter in case in which the Manhattan District Attorney dropped second-degree murder charges against Ms. McCarter on self-defense grounds.

Services Industries
    • University of Vermont, B.A., 1994, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
    • Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 1999, magna cum laude, Executive Articles Editor of the Georgetown Law Review
    • New York
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Honorable Barbara S. Jones