Devon specializes in representing financial institutions, broker-dealers, wealth management firms, financial advisors and registered representatives in connection with regulatory investigations and proceedings. Devon takes a collaborative approach to developing legal strategies, outlining the pros and cons of every decision, and encouraging her clients to contribute their perspectives.
Devon has led numerous internal investigations on behalf of a financial services firm and routinely defends that firm and its supervisory officers in regulatory proceedings and in connection with regulatory inquiries.
She has also defended companies and individuals in criminal investigations in a range of industries, from public affairs to health care and financial services, including representing targets, defendants, subjects and witnesses in connection with the DOJ investigations of FIFA and the former New York City Mayor and his political donors, and cases involving money laundering and wire fraud.
An active contributor of legal scholarship, Devon has co-authored articles in the New York Law Journal and BNA’s Health Care Fraud Report on the size of U.S. Supreme Court cases and enforcement trends in health care investigations, respectively. Devon has also co-authored amicus briefs on behalf of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), the US Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of International Bankers (IIB) urging the Supreme Court to review whether the bankruptcy trustee for Bernard Madoff’s investment fund could claw back property from certain foreign subsequent transferees.
An avid animal lover, Devon volunteers with various dog rescues and regularly fosters dogs from her local animal shelter.
Experience
Represents a leading global investment bank and financial services company in connection with various regulatory investigations, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Represented a defendant in connection with the Department of Justice’s investigation of FIFA.
Represented an international sports marketing company and its chief executive in complex litigation, persuading a New York state judge to dismiss a civil suit against his client notwithstanding the client’s prior guilty plea in federal court. Confederacion Sudamericana De Futbol v. International Soccer Marketing, Inc., Dkt. No. 655619/2016 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Co, Commercial Division)
Represented the former General Counsel of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in lengthy parallel SEC and state grand jury investigations into allegations of federal securities fraud and violations of New York’s Martin Act; no charges filed.
Defended individuals charged with money laundering and gunpoint robbery (as Criminal Justice Act counsel).
Counseled a major financial services company in connection with various investigations by federal and state regulators.
Represented individual sales representatives of a major pharmaceutical company in a federal investigation involving allegations of off-label promotion and anti-kickback violations.
Served as part of a trial team that defended an investment adviser against charges of securities fraud throughout the course of a four-week administrative proceeding.
Activities
Professional Affiliations
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Western New York Chapter
- New York State Bar Association