Jacquelyn Desch's practice focuses on civil and criminal litigation, government and internal investigations, white collar criminal defense, and corporate compliance. She advises domestic and international clients in dispute resolution with respect to complex commercial cases and compliance with money laundering statutes, the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the False Claims Act (FCA), economic sanctions, healthcare fraud, environmental litigation, and other anticorruption laws.
She counsels corporate and individual clients through cross-border litigation, government enforcement actions, monitorships, forfeiture, and crisis management.
Jacquelyn advises major multinational companies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, boards, employees, and an array of other entities. She has experience representing clients before the Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- Counsel to large global manufacturer in dispute with JV partner in connection with DOJ subpoena regarding FCPA and sanctions violations in Asia
- Advising global construction conglomerate on US legal issues in Brazilian commercial litigation with JV partner, and in successful completion of DOJ compliance monitorship
- Representing major international financial institution in successful dismissal or discontinuance of civil suits by customers in NY and DC
- Counsel to Middle Eastern product and logistics supplier in civil forfeiture action
- Advising on an internal investigation for a major Brazilian manufacturer regarding whistleblower allegations of fraud and misbranding, including negotiation of contractual remedies with customers and suppliers
- Counsel to major multinational company in environmental crimes litigation, including a parallel qui tam action in SDNY
- Counsel to former employees of financial institution in cryptocurrency fraud investigation by DOJ, the SEC, and banking regulators
- Representing current and former employees of Brazilian global conglomerate in DOJ investigations into allegations of corruption and money laundering in Brazil, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Colombia
- Representing a European private investment firm in DOJ investigation into conspiracy and money laundering in Venezuela, and in settling a civil dispute with vendor in connection with the alleged violations
- Representing a Baltic financial institution in response to a regulatory investigation of AML compliance
- Counsel to high profile client in Congressional investigation
- Conducting acquisition transactional due diligence related to corporate compliance programs
- Advising clients in compliance program enhancements
- Advising clients in FARA registration and enforcement trends
Jacquelyn received her JD from Georgetown University Law Center, cum laude, where she served as Senior Notes Editor of the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia. She is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, Washington D.C.
- +12029125901
- Email me
Career & qualifications
- University of Virginia (BA, English Language and Literature, American Studies) 2012
- Georgetown University Law Center (JD, cum laude) 2017
- Admitted as Attorney-at-Law in the District of Columbia 2017
- Joined Clifford Chance 2019