Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance welcomes Anti-Money Laundering and Data Governance executive Jamal El-Hindi as counsel

Washington, DC: Clifford Chance has today announced the appointment of former Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Deputy Director Jamal El-Hindi as counsel in its Americas Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice.

Having also previously worked as Office of Foreign Assets Control's (OFAC) Associate Director for Program Policy and Implementation, El-Hindi joins the firm from his most recent role as Interim Chief Data Officer for the United States Department of the Treasury, where he held responsibility for directing and enhancing the agency’s management and use of all its data sets, enabling more data-driven policymaking and operations.

At FinCEN, El-Hindi led all operational, policy, and strategic planning aspects of the group. He advised on rulemaking, guidance and interpretation efforts, and offered counsel on enforcement, regulatory analysis, and industry outreach. El-Hindi also spearheaded regulatory efforts with respect to new payment methods, including prepaid access and virtual currency. In his role at OFAC he handled of all aspects of OFAC engagements with industry and other stakeholders with respect to compliance with OFAC sanctions, rulemaking and licensing.

US Litigation & Dispute Resolution leader and co-head of the firm's Global Risk Team David DiBari says, "We are seeing a dramatic heightening in client demand for advice, risk management and defense of money laundering investigations, both domestically and internationally. Regulations are tightening, penalties increasing, enforcement expanding, and the new whistle blower bounty provisions added by the January 2021 enactment of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, adds further fuel to the fire, all while criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, commodities, crypto assets and other means to frustrate compliance systems. Jamal, whom we've known for more than 15 years, will add his deep experience and judgment to our expanding AML team and further enhance our offering in support of our clients in these challenging times. We're delighted to welcome him to the team."

Megan Gordon, co-head of the firm's US Cyber Security and Data Privacy Group says, "Of particular interest to our tech clients is Jamal's focus on data governance and regulation. Further tightening of the AML regulatory requirements applicable to crypto assets mean this will be a significant area of focus for the industry going forward."

El-Hindi says, “I am excited to be joining Clifford Chance's strong US team and to be part of their global network. I am looking forward to the many opportunities to use my experience and expertise in AML and data technology to assist clients in the Americas, Europe and APAC both to manage and to stay ahead of the growing AML risks in international commerce.

The firm is known for advising on some of the highest-profile matters in the market; in March 2020, delivering its Report on an extensive anti-money laundering and OFAC sanctions investigation into major Swedish bank Swedbank AB (publ) to the Swedbank Board of Directors. The firm also successfully argued United States v. Hoskins in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, obtaining a landmark ruling limiting the scope of the FCPA as it relates to foreign nationals and corporations.