Celia Cohen is a litigator and adviser who represents financial institutions and corporate clients in white collar defense, regulatory compliance, internal and government investigations, and related civil actions. Her significant experience across industries includes private practice as well as roles as a federal prosecutor and in-house counsel at one of the world’s largest financial institutions.
Celia has experience leading legal and trial teams in regulatory compliance and enforcement, as well as in court and alternative dispute resolution forums. A former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, Celia understands how the DOJ, SEC, and other government agencies conduct investigations and make prosecution decisions. In her role, she handled cases involving securities fraud, international wire fraud, cybercrime, and health care fraud, and successfully tried cases involving terrorism, racketeering, and murder.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Defended corporation concerning SDNY Civil Investigative Demand in False Claims Qui Tam litigation
- Handled state False Claim Act investigation related to the submission of false utility rebates from state programs
- Defended corporation in a DOJ investigation involving corruption allegations under the FCPA
Professional Highlights
Recognition & Accomplishments
U.K. Counterterrorism Unit, Greater Manchester Police, award for securing a major international terrorism conviction, 2015
Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance by an Assistant U.S. Attorney, 2014
Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Award, 2014
Detective Endowment Association's Person of the Year Award, 2014
Speaking Engagements
SIFMA Panelist: Rethinking Conduct Risk: Effective Frameworks, Industry Trends and Challenges, March 2022
YPO New York Roundtable: Bribery, Corruption, and Money Laundering, May 2022
Navigating the Interplay Between Government Investigations and Employment Issues, June 2022
Publications
“Cryptocurrency Crime: Examining Age-Old Fraud With a Modern Twist,” New York Law Journal, June 2022
“SDNY and SEC Bring First Cryptocurrency Insider Trading Case,” July 2022
“ESG: Key Regulatory Risks for Financial Services Firms in the U.K. and U.S.,” July 2022
Credentials
Education
Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1999)
Syracuse Law Review, Associate Notes and Comments Editor
University of Delaware (B.A. 1996)
Admissions
New York
New Jersey
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey