Jerry D. Bernstein

Jerry D. Bernstein
Senior Counsel
White Collar Defense & Investigations

Biography

Jerry Bernstein concentrates his practice in the areas of white collar criminal law and complex civil litigation. He represents both individuals and companies, and handles high-profile cases throughout the country including:

  • Criminal prosecutions and grand jury investigations involving antitrust, securities, public corruption, FCPA, tax, money laundering, environmental, government contracts, and insurance fraud
  • Commercial litigation in state and federal courts
  • Corporate internal investigations
  • SEC and other federal regulatory proceedings
  • Arbitrations before the American Arbitration Association and the International Chamber of Commerce

Jerry has been recognized by Chambers USA as a leading white collar defense attorney. Chambers has stated, “Jerry is praised for his strategic approach to every issue.” He is the co-chair of the firm’s white collar practice, which is recognized by Chambers USA as a Band 1 firm for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in New York.

Prior to entering private practice, Jerry was a federal prosecutor for more than 10 years, serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C., and then as a Special Attorney at the Organized Crime Strike Force in the Eastern District of New York. While at the Strike Force, Jerry annually received the Justice Department’s Special Achievement Award.

Jerry serves as the Village Justice in Larchmont, New York.

Outside the Firm

Jerry is a Classical pianist and hiker.

Experience

  • Representation of international accounting firm Mazars USA in connection with N.Y. Attorney General, House Oversight Committee, and Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutions and civil cases involving Mazars USA, Donald J. Trump, and the Trump Organization.
  • Representation of Board Special Committee of U.S.-based public Chinese cryptocurrency company in federal criminal securities fraud investigation and parallel SEC investigation.
  • Representation of Creative Artists Agency (“CAA”) and Frank Darabont in lawsuit against AMC Network over licensing fees involving the hit show The Walking Dead, resulting in $200 million settlement for Darabont and CAA.
  • Representation of key figure in 1MDB investigations into theft of billions of dollars from Malaysian and Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds.
  • Representation of company and principal in International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) federal criminal investigation and parallel State Department regulatory proceeding.
  • Representation of company CEO in DOJ Antitrust Division criminal investigation of multinational chemical company for price fixing.
  • Defended high-level executive of international shipping company in DOJ Antitrust Division criminal investigation and prosecution of Japanese and European shipping companies for market allocation and bid rigging.
  • Obtained acquittal after 11-month trial of high-level Marsh & McLennan executive in criminal antitrust prosecution brought by N.Y. Attorney General. Following the verdict, Jerry was named American Lawyer’s “Litigator of the Week.”
  • Representation of public company employees in DOJ Antitrust Division and European Commission criminal investigation of automobile parts industry.
  • Defended Chairman/President/CEO of publicly traded shipping company in DOJ Antitrust Division criminal investigation.
  • Representation of managing directors of major investment bank in DOJ Antitrust Division criminal investigation into bid rigging and kickbacks in issuance of municipal bonds.
  • Defended hedge fund in SEC high-speed trading “spoofing” investigation.
  • Defended public official in high-profile federal public corruption trial in Las Vegas.
  • Representation of world-wide internet gaming companies and their executives in federal criminal investigations and civil forfeiture cases.
  • Defended the country’s largest mortgage due diligence firm in connection with sub-prime mortgage investigations by the N.Y. Attorney General, SEC, and Connecticut Attorney General.
  • Representation of securities firm and principals in U.S. Attorney’s Office and SEC “Squawk Box” investigation and prosecution of “front-running” by firm’s traders.
  • Representation of national cosmetics company in federal civil RICO trial.
  • Defended bank president in federal criminal bank fraud trial.
  • Representation of U.S. software manufacturer in ICC arbitration proceeding in Paris, France.
  • Defended sports agent in federal bribery and kickback investigation.
  • Representation of companies as well as high-profile media figures and professional athletes who are victims of criminal behavior and extortion.

News & Views

See all News and Views

Recognitions

  • AV Preeminent, listed by Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2008–2025, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2024, Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2007–2024, New York “Super Lawyer” in White Collar Criminal Law, listed in Super Lawyers

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Judges Association
  • New York State Magistrates Association
  • New York Council of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Credentials

Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • District of Columbia
  • New York
  • 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 District of Columbia Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania, BA, with Honors in Political Science
  • Antioch University School of Law, JD
  • University of Pennsylvania, MA

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

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