Kelly Currie is a partner in Crowell & Moring’s nationally-recognized White Collar & Regulatory Enforcement Group and a member of the firm’s Investigations Practice.
He is a former federal prosecutor and an experienced trial lawyer who defends companies and individuals in government investigations, white collar criminal defense matters, regulatory enforcement actions, and corporate internal investigations. Kelly has been recognized as a leader in the white collar and government investigations bar by Chambers USA. According to Chambers, he “comes recommended as ‘a very measured lawyer who prepares incredibly meticulously, has good diplomacy skills and is able to get the most out of a negotiation.’” Kelly was also named as a top-rated white collar criminal defense attorney by The Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers magazine.
Government Service
For over a dozen years, Kelly served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and held a number of leadership positions, including Acting U.S. Attorney, Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, and Chief of the Violent Crimes and Terrorism Section.
As Acting U.S. Attorney, he was responsible for all criminal and civil litigation in the district on behalf of the United States and supervised more than 175 Assistant U.S. Attorneys. He oversaw a number of high-profile matters, including the investigation and indictment of dozens of high-ranking FIFA officials and sports marketing executives on charges related to alleged bribery and kickback schemes corrupting FIFA and other international soccer governing bodies. In overseeing the EDNY's Civil Division, Kelly supervised investigations and matters involving the False Claims Act and the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA).
Earlier in his career at the EDNY, Kelly led numerous complex, global investigations and prosecutions, including those involving violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), money laundering, export control violations, the financing of terrorist organizations, and other national security matters. Kelly has tried over fifteen federal jury trials to verdict and argued many cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. His trials have involved securities and wire fraud, money laundering, international terrorist financing, multi-defendant RICO prosecutions, and tax fraud. He is a recipient of the Eastern District Association’s Charles E. Rose Award for outstanding service as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
In addition to his service as a federal prosecutor, Kelly has extensive experience in international negotiations and dispute resolution. During his career, he served as a senior advisor to former U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell, who chaired the Northern Ireland Political Negotiations that resulted in the historic Good Friday Agreement. Kelly also served as a senior advisor to Senator Mitchell in his role as chairman of an international fact-finding commission on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Selected Representations
- International financial institution in connection with U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation of money laundering, FCPA violations, and kleptocracy.
- Global professional services firm in FCPA investigation related to business transactions in the Middle East and North Africa.
- Managing director at a U.S. investment bank in a DOJ, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Federal Reserve Board investigation of possible FCPA violations in Asia. In defending enforcement action brought by the Federal Reserve, negotiated a settlement involving no monetary penalty or admission of liability.
- Executives at an international bank in a DOJ investigation of foreign currency exchange (forex) trading.
- Traders and compliance professionals at financial institutions in criminal and regulatory investigations by DOJ, SEC, and CFTC of alleged manipulation of benchmark rate settings and other alleged market manipulation.
- Internal investigation for publicly-traded Fortune 100 company related to products liability.
- National transportation corporation in a state criminal grand jury investigation.
- Executives of a pharmaceutical company in a DOJ criminal and civil False Claims Act investigation.
- Executives and other professionals of financial institutions in connection with DOJ, SEC, and state attorneys general investigations regarding residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS).
- Compliance professional at a major energy company in DOJ criminal investigation and related civil litigation resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion.
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, Kelly was in private practice at an international firm where he represented corporations and individuals in white collar criminal defense matters and securities litigation.
Kelly has served as a panelist and faculty member at DOJ and bar association conferences related to white collar prosecutions, federal criminal practice, and national security matters.
Affiliations
Admitted to practice: New York, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
Professional Affiliations
- New York Council of Defense Lawyers
- Federal Bar Council
- American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section
- Irish American Bar Association of New York
Highlights, News & Knowledge
Speeches & Presentations
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"Digital Asset Investigation and Enforcement Trends," Investigations: Readiness and Response Webinar Series
(April 28, 2021).
Presenters: Kelly T. Currie, Michelle Ann Gitlitz, Carlton Greene, and Daniel L. Zelenko.
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"Nuts & Bolts of Investigations: Protecting Privilege," Investigations: Readiness and Response Webinar Series
(April 27, 2021).
Presenters: Nimrod Haim Aviad, Kelly T. Currie, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Maarten Stassen, and Laurence Winston.
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"Navigating Enforcement Activity Regarding Wage Parity Act Compliance in the Home Health Industry," Crowell & Moring Breakfast Seminar, New York, NY
(June 20, 2019).
Presenters: Kelly T. Currie, Brian McGovern, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, and Eric Su.
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"Privilege and Work Product Protections: Ethical Considerations for In-House Teams," SIFMA C&L Annual Seminar, Phoenix, AZ
(March 27, 2019).
Presenter: Kelly T. Currie.
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"Divided Government: What the Democrats’ Control of the House of Representatives Means for Congressional Investigations and Business in 2019," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(January 31, 2019).
Speakers: Kelly T. Currie, James G. Flood, Paul M. Rosen, Byron R. Brown, and Danielle Rowan.
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"Looking Ahead: EDNY and SDNY Corruption Enforcement Moving Forward," 19th Annual New York Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, New York, NY
(April 21, 2017).
Presenter: Kelly T. Currie.
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"Investigations 101 for In-House Counsel — The Do's, the Don'ts, and the Why's," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(March 23, 2017).
Presenters: Gail D. Zirkelbach, Cari N. Stinebower, and Kelly T. Currie.
Publications
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"COVID-19 Stay-At-Home And Traveler Quarantine Orders Pose Enforcement Challenges For Local Officials," American City and County
(April 22, 2020).
Authors: Kelly T. Currie and Tyler Brown.
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"No Reasonable Suspicion Required for Forensic Searches of Electronic Devices at the Border," Crowell & Moring's International Trade Law
(May 25, 2018).
Authors: Kelly T. Currie, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Paul M. Rosen, Joel Mallord and Christopher D. Garcia.
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"Investigations – Under Pressure and Out of Time," Crowell & Moring's Litigation Forecast 2017
(January 2017).
Contributors: Kelly Curie, Kent Gardiner, Philip Inglima, Gail Zirkelbach, Angela Styles, Trina Fairley Barlow, Cari Stinebower, and Stephen Byers.
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"Importance of Disclosures and Cooperation During and After Internal Investigations," Crowell & Moring's Government Contracts Legal Forum
(May 31, 2016).
Authors: David Robbins, David Hammond, and Kelly Currie.
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Congress Passes the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, Significant Changes to the Bank Secrecy Act Ahead,"
International Trade Bulletin
(January 19, 2021).
Contacts: Carlton Greene, Caroline E. Brown, Nimrod Haim Aviad, Kelly T. Currie, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Paul M. Rosen, Nicole Sayegh Succar, Brian McGrath
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"FCPA Guidance Update: DOJ and SEC Release Second Edition of Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act,"
White Collar Alert
(July 9, 2020).
Contacts: Thomas A. Hanusik, Kelly T. Currie, Derek A. Hahn, Nimrod Haim Aviad, Arlen Pyenson
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"White House Issues Guidance on “Opening Up America Again”,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(April 17, 2020).
Contacts: Kelly T. Currie, Peter Eyre, Olivia Lynch, Kris D. Meade, Gabrielle Trujillo
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"CARES Act Means Welcome Relief for Many, But Not Without Plenty of Scrutiny for Those Who Partake,"
White Collar Alert
(April 3, 2020).
Contacts: Kelly T. Currie, James G. Flood, Thomas A. Hanusik, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Paul M. Rosen, Tiffany Wynn
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"U.K. Serious Fraud Office Issues Guidance on Corporate Cooperation,"
White Collar Alert
(August 8, 2019).
Contacts: Michelle J. Linderman, Robert Weekes, Laurence Winston, Laura Schwartz, Kelly T. Currie
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"DOJ Resets Bar for Corporate-Cooperation Credit and Shifts Emphasis in False Claims Act Cases from Individual Accountability to Monetary Recovery,"
White Collar Alert
(November 30, 2018).
Contacts: Stephen M. Byers, Kelly T. Currie, Brian Tully McLaughlin, David W. O'Brien, Paul M. Rosen, Bridget Carr
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"Second Circuit Rejects Government’s Attempt to Expand the Extraterritorial Reach of the FCPA Utilizing Accomplice and Conspiracy Liability,"
White Collar Alert
(August 29, 2018).
Contacts: Kelly T. Currie, Alan W. H. Gourley, Thomas A. Hanusik, Paul M. Rosen, Matt Gander, Derek A. Hahn
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"New DOJ Policy Encourages Coordination Among Regulators To Limit "Piling On" Corporate Penalties,"
White Collar Alert
(May 10, 2018).
Contacts: Kelly T. Currie, Thomas A. Hanusik, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Paul M. Rosen, Lisa Nicole Umans
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"DOJ Creates Presumption of Corporate Declination in FCPA Cases,"
White Collar Alert
(November 30, 2017).
Contacts: Kelly T. Currie, Stephen M. Byers, Paul M. Rosen, Jared Engelking, Matt Gander
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"D.C. Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Challenge to FinCEN Section 311 'Finding of Primary Money Laundering Concern' for Banca Privada d'Andorra,"
International Trade Bulletin
(June 5, 2017).
Contacts: Carlton Greene, Kelly T. Currie
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"District Court Upholds FinCEN Rule Imposing Special Measures on Tanzanian Bank FBME,"
International Trade Bulletin
(May 23, 2017).
Contacts: Carlton Greene, Kelly T. Currie
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"Investigation and Disclosure Best Practices,"
Government Contracts Bullet Points
(June 6, 2016).
Contacts: David C. Hammond, Kelly T. Currie
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"FinCEN’s Final Rule on Beneficial Ownership and the Administration’s New Initiatives on Financial Transparency: What You Need to Know,"
International Trade Bulletin
(May 11, 2016).
Contacts: Carlton Greene, Kelly T. Currie, James G. Flood
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"Where Fraud Leads, We Will Follow: DOJ to Heighten Focus on Corporate Health Care Fraud, Health Care Executives, and Adequacy of Compliance,"
White Collar Alert
(April 19, 2016).
Contacts: David W. O'Brien, John T. Brennan Jr., Troy A. Barsky, Stephen M. Byers, Kelly T. Currie, Nimrod Haim Aviad, Laura Schwartz
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"And Now the Carrots: DOJ Announces FCPA Self-Reporting Pilot Program,"
White Collar Alert
(April 6, 2016).
Contacts: Stephen M. Byers, Kelly T. Currie, Thomas A. Hanusik, Alan W. H. Gourley
Media Mentions
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New York Attorneys Praise Schumer's Picks For 3 U.S. Attorney Posts
March 26, 2021 — New York Law Journal
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Schumer Announces U.S. Attorney Picks For Eastern, Southern Districts
March 23, 2021 — Newsday
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Longtime Federal Prosecutor, Former Brookhaven Supervisor Takes The Helm Of Eastern District
March 22, 2021 — Newsday
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Seth DuCharme Announces Resignation As Acting US Attorney For The Eastern District Of New York
March 8, 2021 — New York Law Journal
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New Acting US Attorney In Brooklyn Brings Local Background, Law Enforcement Experience
July 13, 2020 — New York Law Journal
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Richard Donoghue To Replace Former Brooklyn Colleague At Main Justice
July 6, 2020 — New York Law Journal
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'Something Stinks': What Lawyers Are Saying About Barr's Move to Oust Berman
June 21, 2020 — Law.com
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Who Can Fire A Court-Appointed U.S. Attorney? An Abrupt Legal Fight, Explained
June 20, 2020 — The New York Times
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Geoffrey Berman Resigns As Manhattan US Attorney, Ending Standoff With William Barr
June 20, 2020 — New York Law Journal
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'Unimpeachable Character:' John Gleeson, Former Judge And Prosecutor, Returns To Court To Take On Bill Barr
May 15, 2020 — National Law Journal
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Outsider Tapped In Flynn Case Regarded As 'Straight Arrow'
May 14, 2020 — The New York Times
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Flynn's Lawyers Argue 'No Further Delay' As Judge Opens Door To Barr Criticism
May 12, 2020 — National Law Journal
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Huawei Executive’s Arrest Could Chill Commercial Ties Between The U.S. And China
December 6, 2018 — The Washington Post
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Cross-Border FCPA Collaboration A Product of Counterterrorism Enforcement, Says Former Prosecutor
March 1, 2016 — Global Investigations Review
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Currie Returns to Crowell After Stint as Prosecutor
February 26, 2016 — New York Law Journal
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Top NY Prosecutor Joins Crowell & Moring
February 25, 2016 — Bloomberg BNA
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Crowell & Moring Rehires Top NY Federal Prosecutor
February 25, 2016 — Law360
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Brooklyn Federal Judge, Top Prosecutor Head to Private Practice
February 25, 2016 — Reuters
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Top Brooklyn Prosecutor Heading to Crowell & Moring
February 25, 2016 — The Wall Street Journal
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Statement by Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch on the Departure of Kelly T. Currie from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern District of New York
February 25, 2016 — U.S. Department of Justice
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Lynch's Deputy Takes Over Eastern District Prosecutor's Office
April 28, 2015 — New York Law Journal
Firm News & Announcements