Cadwalader Partner Jodi Avergun Speaks at U.S. Sentencing Commission's Annual National Conference

NEW YORK, June 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Cadwalader), a leading counselor to global financial institutions and corporations, today announced that Jodi Avergun, a partner in the firm's Business Fraud and White Collar Defense Litigation Practice, will discuss "Organizational Guidelines" at this year's U.S. Sentencing Commission's Annual National Seminar, a two day conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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"Even 20 years after their enactment, the federal sentencing guidelines for organizations continue to have an enormous impact on companies – whether or not they are charged with or convicted of a crime." Avergun commented. "The organizational guidelines offer concrete standards for self-policing and corporate ethics best practices. The importance of having a measurable and effective system in place that ensures compliance through all layers of an organization cannot be overstated."

A highly esteemed panel of federal judges and practitioners will participate in discussions that delve into relevant statistical data, and examine emerging case law under the Organizational Guidelines.

Established in 1984, the U.S. Sentencing Commission was created by the Sentencing Reform Act to operate as an independent conduit between Congress and the federal judiciary. The Commission's guidance has become increasingly vital to the health of the federal court system, and its constant monitoring of the impact of the guidelines is a critical component of policy making on a wide array of sentencing related issues. 

Avergun is an experienced former federal prosecutor whose practice focuses on representing corporations and individuals in criminal and regulatory matters involving, among other things, FCPA, securities enforcement, health care, and general white collar matters. She has successfully represented both companies and senior executives in internal investigations, matters before regulatory bodies including the SEC and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and in civil and criminal matters in federal court. Avergun has also designed and implemented compliance programs for a variety of her clients.

Prior to joining the firm, Avergun was a senior official in the Department of Justice, where she served as chief of staff of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and in several leadership positions within the Criminal Division and the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.

About Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established in 1792, is one of the world's leading international law firms, with offices in New York, Washington, Charlotte, Houston, London, Hong Kong, Beijing and Brussels.  Cadwalader serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's top financial institutions, undertaking business in more than 50 countries in six continents.  The firm offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, business fraud, corporate finance, corporate governance, energy, environmental, financial restructuring and reorganizations, healthcare, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private client, private equity, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, and tax.  More information about Cadwalader can be found at www.cadwalader.com.

Contacts:

Adam Segall +1 212 504 6492
[email protected]
Elizabeth Hyland +1 212 850 5633
[email protected]

SOURCE Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft