Akin Gump Adds Katherine Goldstein, Former Chief of the Southern District of New York’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, as a Partner in New York

(New York) – Akin Gump is pleased to announce that Katherine Goldstein has joined the firm as a partner in its white collar defense and government investigations practice in New York.

Ms. Goldstein has extensive government and private practice experience. She spent nearly a dozen years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), including serving as Chief of SDNY’s prestigious Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force—the first woman to hold that position since the 1980s. Ms. Goldstein comes to Akin Gump from Milbank LLP.

“Katie is a terrific addition to our highly acclaimed white collar team,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “Her stellar reputation, strong ties throughout the white collar community and deep public sector experience will translate into a winning combination for our clients. I am delighted to welcome Katie to Akin Gump.”

Ms. Goldstein represents companies and their senior executives in government and corporate investigations, criminal and regulatory enforcement proceedings, and related private litigation. She has represented boards of directors and special board committees of public companies in securities-related investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). She recently represented an audit committee of the board of directors of a publicly traded company in connection with an SEC investigation into the company’s revenue recognition practices that included counselling the committee through a multiyear restatement of its financial reporting.

Ms. Goldstein is an accomplished trial lawyer, both from her time as a prosecutor and as a criminal defense attorney. Among her most recent trial work was the representation of an individual defendant in a criminal insider trading trial in the United States District Court for the SDNY.

“Katie is a recognized leader in insider trading and securities fraud investigations,” said Jim Benjamin, leader of Akin Gump’s white collar and government investigations practice. “As a former federal prosecutor with significant public and private sector experience, Katie offers thoughtful advice and powerful advocacy for clients facing high-stakes investigations. She is an exceptional lawyer with tremendous skills both in and out of the courtroom and is particularly well respected within the financial sector. I am thrilled to welcome her as a member of our team.”

Added Ms. Goldstein, “Akin Gump’s white collar practice has a first-class platform with tremendous experience in handling complex investigations and enforcement matters. The group includes an exceedingly strong group of lawyers—many of whom I know well—and I am excited to call them my colleagues. This is a great opportunity, and I look forward to this next step in my career.”

About Katherine R. Goldstein

Upon joining the Office of the U. S. Attorney in 2004, Ms. Goldstein investigated and prosecuted a wide variety of crimes in the Securities Fraud and Organized Crime units and argued appeals before the 2nd Circuit. Among the high-profile cases she tried were United States v. Ross Mandell, a $100-million market manipulation and investor fraud that resulted in a conviction and 12-year sentence of the defendant, and United States v. Bernard Ebbers, a public company accounting fraud by the CEO of WorldCom that resulted in a 25-year sentence.

During her tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where she investigated and prosecuted a wide variety of crimes, Ms. Goldstein served in several significant leadership roles. She spent two years as Chief of the General Crimes unit, during which time she supervised and trained more than a dozen new Assistant U.S. Attorneys and reviewed all charging documents, briefs and other significant court filings. Ms. Goldstein also served as Deputy Chief—and then Chief—of the SDNY’s Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, where she oversaw complex investigations involving allegations of insider trading, accounting fraud, investment advisor fraud and market manipulation.

Ms. Goldstein is a member of the Bharara Task Force on Insider Trading, a working group composed of eight leading experts on insider trading commissioned to develop proposals to update and improve the clarity of federal insider trading laws. Led by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, the group issued its report and recommendations earlier this year. (Click here to learn more.)

Ms. Goldstein received her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Duke University.

About Akin Gump’s White Collar Defense and Government Investigations Practice

Akin Gump helps clients navigate all manner of white collar and regulatory investigations and has been at the forefront of white collar defense for more than 30 years. The team includes a distinguished roster of former prosecutors who served at the highest levels of the Department of Justice and at leading United States Attorneys’ Offices, including those of the Southern District of New York, Eastern District of New York and Eastern District of Virginia. The team also includes lawyers who served in the SEC’s Enforcement Division, as well as the first director of the Division of Enforcement at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 1,000 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Founded in 1945, the firm is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2020. #AkinGump75

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