Jeff Severson
Overview
Jeffrey M. Severson represents individual and corporate clients facing complex, high-stakes criminal and regulatory investigations initiated by the full slate of federal and state regulators. Jeff uses his experience navigating the complex demands of regulatory investigations and criminal prosecutions to fashion effective defense strategies and collaborate with his clients to guide them to successful outcomes.
Career & Education
- Fordham University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2013
- Carleton College, B.A., magna cum laude, history
- Columbia University, M.A., political science
- California
- Colorado
- New York
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Jeff's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 07.29.25
Current political priorities in Congress will continue to push many industries under the microscope of Congressional investigations, including universities, tech companies, entities that receive federal funds, and energy-sector companies. When the chambers of Congress and the executive branch are controlled by the same party, Congressional oversight of the executive branch is less intense and instead public and private sector, state, and local entities are more likely to find themselves in the crosshairs. If a chamber of Congress changes hands in the midterm elections, the focus of the oversight may shift to reflect the policy priorities of the moment and include more executive branch oversight, but even the executive branch is often contending with requests for information that may implicate their dealings with third parties; for example, there is a risk that agency oversight triggers requests for privileged material belonging to a government contractor or grantee. The topics and industries of highest interest may play musical chairs, but entities across sectors would do well to incorporate a few best practices that will mitigate their risk should they end up in the hot seat, either directly or through a government partner.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 05.13.25
DOJ Reprioritizes Corporate Enforcement with Key Policy Revisions
Representative Matters
- Represented a managing director at a U.S. investment bank in a DOJ, SEC, and Federal Reserve Board investigation into possible FCPA violations in Asia. In defending an enforcement action brought by the Federal Reserve, negotiated a settlement involving no monetary penalty or admission of liability.
- Representing multiple corporations in investigations into hiring practices (no-poach/nonsolicitation).
- Representing an international pharmaceutical company in a New Jersey Office of the Attorney General inquiry into potential fraud in a tax incentives program.
- Representing a pool of employees at a publicly traded pharmaceutical company as part of a DOJ health care fraud investigation.
- Representing multiple traders as part of SEC securities fraud investigations.
- Representing multiple broker-dealers in FINRA enforcement actions.
Jeff's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 07.29.25
Current political priorities in Congress will continue to push many industries under the microscope of Congressional investigations, including universities, tech companies, entities that receive federal funds, and energy-sector companies. When the chambers of Congress and the executive branch are controlled by the same party, Congressional oversight of the executive branch is less intense and instead public and private sector, state, and local entities are more likely to find themselves in the crosshairs. If a chamber of Congress changes hands in the midterm elections, the focus of the oversight may shift to reflect the policy priorities of the moment and include more executive branch oversight, but even the executive branch is often contending with requests for information that may implicate their dealings with third parties; for example, there is a risk that agency oversight triggers requests for privileged material belonging to a government contractor or grantee. The topics and industries of highest interest may play musical chairs, but entities across sectors would do well to incorporate a few best practices that will mitigate their risk should they end up in the hot seat, either directly or through a government partner.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 05.13.25
DOJ Reprioritizes Corporate Enforcement with Key Policy Revisions
Insights
Trends in Business and Human Rights Law in the Group of Seven (G7)
|08.01.20
Human Rights and Business Initiative, UC Berkeley
Jeff's Insights
Client Alert | 7 min read | 07.29.25
Current political priorities in Congress will continue to push many industries under the microscope of Congressional investigations, including universities, tech companies, entities that receive federal funds, and energy-sector companies. When the chambers of Congress and the executive branch are controlled by the same party, Congressional oversight of the executive branch is less intense and instead public and private sector, state, and local entities are more likely to find themselves in the crosshairs. If a chamber of Congress changes hands in the midterm elections, the focus of the oversight may shift to reflect the policy priorities of the moment and include more executive branch oversight, but even the executive branch is often contending with requests for information that may implicate their dealings with third parties; for example, there is a risk that agency oversight triggers requests for privileged material belonging to a government contractor or grantee. The topics and industries of highest interest may play musical chairs, but entities across sectors would do well to incorporate a few best practices that will mitigate their risk should they end up in the hot seat, either directly or through a government partner.
Client Alert | 5 min read | 05.13.25
DOJ Reprioritizes Corporate Enforcement with Key Policy Revisions
