Jennifer L. Achilles

Jennifer L. Achilles
Partner
White Collar Defense & Investigations

Biography

Jennifer Achilles focuses her practice on white collar criminal defense, regulatory enforcement and securities litigation, and internal investigations.

Jennifer defends public and private companies, as well as their officers and directors, in government investigations by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Department of Justice (“DOJ”), and New York District Attorney’s (“DA”) and Attorney General’s (“AG”) offices. She has significant experience representing clients in matters involving insider trading, market manipulation, accounting fraud, cryptocurrency-related activities, anti-money laundering, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”). She also leads internal investigations in advance of and in connection with government investigations, and counsels clients on cooperation and self-disclosure strategies. Jennifer leads Blank Rome’s internal working group on cryptocurrency enforcement.

Chambers USA reported that clients say that “Jennifer is a fantastic lawyer. She is strategic, knowledgeable and very experienced. She is reliable, responsive and adheres to deadlines.”

Jennifer is frequently called upon to speak at industry events and write for leading publications. Prior to joining Blank Rome, she led the Global Regulatory Enforcement Group of an Am Law 100 firm in New York City and practiced at a boutique litigation firm focused on high-profile white collar and regulatory matters and sophisticated business disputes.

Experience

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain

  • Conducted an internal investigation of a U.S. public company involved in the crypto mining industry following allegations of securities fraud and other misconduct.
  • Advised a crypto wallet provider regarding anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance.
  • Represented DeFi clients responding to government subpoenas and inquiries from law enforcement.
  • Advised a global investigations firm regarding regulatory and legal risks associated with engaging in crypto-related activities.

White Collar Criminal Defense

  • Represented a public company in a federal grand jury investigation and parallel SEC investigation involving allegations of accounting fraud.
  • Defended a senior executive charged with participating in an international insider trading ring.
  • Represented a prior board member of an entertainment company in parallel investigations by the NY DA’s office, NY AG’s office, and the DOJ amidst allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
  • Defended traders of a global investment bank in cross-border civil and criminal investigations of alleged market manipulation and collusive activity related to libor and forex benchmarks.

Regulatory Enforcement

  • Secured dismissal of all securities fraud charges against a senior executive facing an SEC enforcement action.
  • Represented a commodities trader in a CFTC investigation involving allegations of market manipulation in connection with prearranged trading.
  • Represented an international commodities trading firm regarding its self-report to CFTC Enforcement following an internal investigation on the firm’s reporting obligations.

Internal / Government Investigations

  • Conducted an internal investigation of a global healthcare company amidst allegations of violations of the FCPA.
  • Conducted an internal investigation of a global telecommunications company in connection with cross-border civil and criminal investigations of suspected telecom fraud and money laundering.
  • Conducted an internal investigation of a U.S. subsidiary of a global healthcare company following cyber-related misconduct and identity theft.

Commercial Litigation

  • Representing a non-U.S. medical device company in civil litigation involving allegations of bribery and FCPA violations.
  • Defended a large financial institution in a $10 billion securities litigation regarding allegations of fraud in connection with the sale of residential mortgage-based securities.

News & Views

See all News and Views

Recognitions

  • 2026, “Litigation Star,” listed in Benchmark Litigation
  • 2024–2025, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2016–2024, Criminal Defense: White Collar, listed in New York Metro Super Lawyers
  • 2016, “Client Service All-Star,” listed by BTI Consulting Group
  • 2013–2014, “Rising Star” for Criminal Defense: White Collar, listed in New York Metro Super Lawyers

Affiliations

Memberships

  • Federal Bar Council
  • New York City Bar Association
  • New York Women's Bar Association
  • Women's White Collar Defense Association
Professional Activities

Jennifer is Board Member of Day One New York, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending dating violence. She also volunteers with Grassroots Grocery and Food for Families in New York City, and is an active member of the Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College.

Credentials

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court - Colorado
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court - Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Education

  • Vassar College, AB
  • Tulane University School of Law, JD, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
  • Yale University, MS

A description of the standard or methodology on which the accolades are based can be found here.

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