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Jeffrey L. Bornstein

Partner
+1.415.249.1059
Fax +1.415.882.8220

Mr. Bornstein joined K&L Gates in 2005 following an almost 20-year career in the criminal and civil divisions of the San Francisco United States Attorneys Office.  Mr. Bornstein concentrates his practice in white collar crime/criminal defense, securities enforcement matters, and internal investigations, as well as environmental, class actions and other types of civil litigation.  Mr. Bornstein is a highly experienced trial attorney, having tried approximately 36 criminal and civil jury and non-jury trials, primarily in federal court.  He is also an experienced appellate litigator.  He has been involved in, among other types of matters:  securities investigations including insider trading, revenue recognition and other accounting fraud; commodities manipulation; Clean Water Act, and other environmental prosecutions; ERISA and other mail and wire fraud cases; government contracting, healthcare, theft of trade secrets; import and export violations, including ITAR; Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; money laundering; false claims; and criminal antitrust cases.

Since joining K&L Gates, Mr. Bornstein has represented individuals and companies in a variety of United States Attorney and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations, prosecutions, and civil enforcement actions.  His work includes conducting a number of important internal investigations, including those involving FCPA allegations.  Mr. Bornstein recently defended the pilot involved in the Cosco Busan oil spill and the former chair of the audit committee in the Brocade stock option backdating criminal and civil litigation. In October 2010, he successfully defended an investment management firm in a two week jury trial in Los Angeles.

Mr. Bornstein also advises on Internet gaming compliance, primarily as it relates to federal criminal enforcement issues including the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, Wire Act, and the US Department of Justice’s position on those laws.

Professional Background

Mr. Bornstein's career with the United States Attorneys' Office included services as an Assistant United States Attorney, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Criminal Division, Supervisor of the Major Crimes Unit, and a member of the White Collar/Securities Fraud Unit.  His prior work experience includes seven years as a civil litigator with the United States Attorneys' Office, a San Francisco law firm, and the San Francisco City Attorneys' Office.

Achievements

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in San Francisco, Criminal Defense – White Collar, 2010-2012
  • Selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers, 2010
  • Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist, Public Justice Foundation, 2010
  • United States Department of Justice Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney
  • United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division Award for Outstanding Performance and Invaluable Assistance
  • United States Attorney General's Award for Furthering Equal Employment Opportunity
  • Commendations from numerous federal agencies including United States Secret Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Postal Service, United States Coast Guard, United States Department of Health and Human Services, United States Customs Service, United States Drug Enforcement Agency and United States Department of Labor

Professional/Civic Activities

  • Bar Association of San Francisco
  • American Bar Association (Criminal Law Section, White Collar Subcommittee)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney for NDCA, 2006-2009; 2010 to the present
  • K&L Gates ProBono Coordinating Partner
  • K&L Gates Assistant General Counsel
  • Created and implemented Building Our Leaders of Tomorrow (BOLT) drug education and violence prevention program for youth in the Northern District of California
  • Founding Board Member: Nicaraguan Children's Friendship Committee

Speaking Engagements

  • “Identifying Changes to the Global Anti-Corruption Compliance Landscape to Maintain and Upgrade Your Existing Compliance Program,” 9th Annual FCPA and Anti-Corruption Compliance Conference, September 19-21, 2012. 
  •  “Insider Trading: Life After Galleon,” K&L Gates Government Enforcement Presentation, March 3, 2010.
  • "Spill Oil - Go to Jail: The New Paradigm for Mariners," Passenger Vessel Association Annual Conference, February 15, 2010.
  • "Spill Oil - Go to Jail: The New Paradigm for Mariners after the Cosco Busan," San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Insurance Women, October 20, 2009.
  • "Conflicts of Interest for Hedge Fund Managers and Prime Brokers," May 16, 2007.
  • "You are Alerted to an Incident of Employee Theft of Company Intellectual Property.  What do you do?" March 16, 2007.
  • "Be Prepared: What You Need to Know about the Criminalization of Securities Laws," July 31, 2006.