SDNY General Crimes Unit Co-Chief Jordan Estes Joins Kramer Levin’s White Collar and Government Investigations Practice as Partner

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jordan Estes has joined Kramer Levin’s New York office as a partner in the firm’s White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice. Ms. Estes most recently served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), where she was co-chief of the General Crimes Unit and a senior member of the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force.

Ms. Estes served as lead or co-lead prosecutor on 13 criminal trials during her eight years with the Department of Justice, including trials involving securities fraud, insider trading, bank fraud, health care fraud and racketeering offenses. She also supervised more than a dozen trials and hundreds of cases related to financial crimes.

“Our White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice has long been recognized as one of the premier practices in the nation, and we are very pleased to add such a stellar new member to our team,” said Kramer Levin co-managing partners Paul H. Schoeman and Howard T. Spilko.

Barry H. Berke, chair of the firm’s Litigation department, said, “We could not be more excited that Jordan is joining us. We are trial lawyers here at Kramer Levin. With her extensive courtroom experience and outstanding record of success, Jordan will fit in well and provide the highest-quality representation to our clients.”

Dani James, co-chair of the White Collar Defense and Government Investigations practice and also a former federal prosecutor in the SDNY, said, “Jordan has compiled an outstanding track record as a prosecutor and trial lawyer and is a perfect addition to our group, which handles some of the nation’s most challenging white collar matters.”

Ms. Estes’ arrival continues the growth of the firm’s litigation practice. In April 2022, the firm combined with the prominent Washington, DC, litigation boutique Robbins Russell, which prompted the opening of Kramer Levin’s DC office and was soon followed by the launch of the firm’s Congressional Investigations and Crisis Management practices. The expanded investigations team is already securing numerous representations, particularly in connection with Securities and Exchange Commission investigations into the banking crisis.

“I chose Kramer Levin in large part because of the firm’s extensive work on major trials and investigations,” Ms. Estes said. “That’s what I look forward to focusing on as I return to private practice, and Kramer Levin stands out as among the very best firms in these areas.”

Prior to serving with the SDNY, Ms. Estes worked as a litigation associate with Hogan Lovells LLP. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School and her B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi.

Ms. Estes is the seventh lateral partner Kramer Levin has added so far this year, including Zachary Jacobs, a partner in the Private Equity practice; Scott Welkis, a partner in the Corporate department and chair of the firm’s Special Situations practice; fund formation partners Yasho Lahiri and Robert Bendiner Weiss in the Investment Management practice; Terry D. Novetsky, a partner in the Securitization and Structured Finance practice; and Alexander Woolverton, a partner in the Bankruptcy and Restructuring group.

About Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Kramer Levin provides its clients proactive, creative and pragmatic solutions that address today’s most challenging legal issues. The firm is headquartered in New York with offices in Silicon Valley, Washington, DC, and Paris and fosters a strong culture of involvement in public and community service. For more information, visit www.kramerlevin.com.