Jeff Knox, former head of the U.S. DOJ Fraud Section, is Co-Managing Partner of Simpson Thacher’s Washington, D.C. office and Global Co-Head of the Firm’s Government and Internal Investigations Practice. He represents multinational corporations and independent board committees in high-stakes investigations by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, CFPB, and other federal and state enforcement regulators. He has advised some of the world’s leading financial institutions, energy companies, life sciences companies, and technology firms in navigating criminal and civil investigations relating to the FCPA, securities and accounting fraud, market manipulation, False Claims Act, antitrust, international money laundering, economic sanctions, and environmental crimes. Jeff also represents senior executives, in their individual capacity, who are subjects of enforcement investigations. Jeff has served as a government-appointed independent compliance consultant, and represents companies in government and court-mandated monitorships. Prior to joining the Firm, Jeff served as a federal prosecutor for more than a decade, including as the Chief of the DOJ’s Fraud Section in Washington, D.C., and before then, as the Chief of the National Security Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
Chambers USA recognizes Jeff as a leading FCPA lawyer (Band 1). Jeff was named a White Collar MVP by Law360 in 2021, and is consistently recognized by Chambers USA, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 and Euromoney’s Benchmark Litigation, where sources note him as “outstanding, a DOJ veteran and one of the top defense lawyers in DC,” “spectacular, hardworking,” “smart, savvy and practical,” and “a master strategist with a unique insight into the way the DOJ works,” who “presents very charismatically and effectively,” and has “a good combination of substantive expertise and practical knowledge” that “really adds value to the client.” He is a respected voice on corporate compliance and enforcement policy, and serves on advisory boards dedicated to these issues at NYU School of Law and the American Law Institute. Jeff is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Jeff's representative matters include:
Company Representations
- Global financial institution in investigations by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC and federal banking regulators relating to anti-money laundering and economic sanctions controls
- Audit committee of a Chinese automotive energy company in an investigation into possible corruption and bribery issues in China
- Energy trading firm in DOJ and CFTC investigations relating to alleged violations of the FCPA and Commodity Exchange Act
- Global financial institution in a multi-regulator investigation related to the alleged offering of unregistered securities
- Global oil company in DOJ investigation of alleged environmental crimes
- India-based multinational conglomerate relating to DOJ investigation of potential fraud
- SEC-mandated Independent Consultant to global life sciences company, relating to FCPA internal control failures
- Global financial institution in DOJ, SEC, and CFTC investigations of alleged market manipulation and spoofing in derivatives markets
- Special board committee of a financial services firm in an independent review of allegations relating to compliance with a regulatory Consent Order with the CFPB
- A global securities firm in connection with a CFTC investigation into a cryptocurrency exchange and alleged evasion of CFTC regulatory requirements
- U.S.-listed South American construction company in an SEC FCPA investigation relating to potential corruption issues and internal control failures
- U.S. technology company in resolution with the DOJ relating to alleged accounting and securities fraud violations
- Global financial institution in monitorship mandated by a financial regulator relating to anti-money laundering and economic sanctions controls
- Multinational hedge fund in DOJ investigation of alleged insider trading
- Leading global pharmaceutical manufacturer in FCPA investigation focused on alleged misconduct in multiple jurisdictions
- Board Committee of international cruise line in connection with environmental-related corporate monitorship
- Brazil-based food company in DOJ and SEC investigations of alleged product quality fraud and corruption
Individual Representations
- Senior executive of a financial services company in a CFPB investigation of alleged deceptive practices
- Former executive of an aerospace and defense company in connection with a DOJ investigation into FCPA and compliance issues
- Senior executive of cryptocurrency firm in DOJ, SEC and NYAG investigations into alleged securities and investment fraud
- Senior member of Board of Directors of a global financial institution in a DOJ criminal investigation relating to alleged collusion among competitors
- Former executives of a Swiss bank in a DOJ investigation related to alleged tax fraud
- Executive of international airline manufacturer in DOJ FCPA investigation
- Chairman and CEO of U.S.-listed educational company in DOJ and SEC corruption investigation
- Acting Secretary General of FIFA in DOJ investigation relating to the global corruption scandal
- General Counsel of global financial institution in DOJ criminal antitrust investigation
- Senior political fundraiser in DOJ criminal FARA investigation
- Chairman and CEO of India-based technology company in FCPA investigation
- Senior derivatives trader in DOJ investigation of alleged spoofing and market manipulation
During his tenure in the Justice Department, Jeff was the recipient of the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Service (DOJ’s highest award), the Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for Trial of Litigation, the Attorney General’s Award for Furthering the Interests of U.S. National Security, the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation’s Federal Prosecutor of the Year Award, and the EOUSA Director’s Award for Superior Performance.
Jeff received his J.D., cum laude, from Northwestern University School of Law, and his B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Arizona.