A recognized leader in investigations and crisis management, Katya Jestin’s experienced and strategic guidance helps companies, universities, and individuals navigate complex, high-stake matters with confidence. A former federal prosecutor, she serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice where she represents clients in criminal, regulatory, and congressional investigations. In addition, Katya helps companies, universities, executives, and boards conduct sensitive internal investigations on matters ranging from global compliance to culture risk. Katya is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and clients say she fosters a sense of calm and order as she provides strategic guidance to clients in crisis.
Katya represents clients in government facing matters, including before the US Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Known as a diligent, practical, and honest fact-finder, she brings credibility to her clients' dealings with government investigators and prosecutors. Outside of the investigative context, clients rely on her insight when building efficient and sustainable compliance programs. Notably, Katya served as the DOJ-appointed independent compliance monitor for Glencore Ltd. until March 2025.
As an Assistant US Attorney and supervisor in the Criminal Division of the Eastern District of New York, Katya investigated and prosecuted fraud, money laundering, and other white-collar offenses. She also prosecuted leaders of three of the five Mafia organized crime families and served as co-counsel in the RICO prosecution of Gambino boss Peter Gotti and 16 co-defendants.
Katya served for five years, from 2020 until the end of 2024, as Jenner & Block’s Co-Managing Partner. During her tenure, the firm experienced a period of transformational economic growth while also deepening its commitment to pro bono service and inclusion. As a member of the firm’s Policy Committee, Katya continues to provide strategic leadership and direction for the firm.
A very strong criminal defense attorney with really good judgment and common sense.
Chambers USA
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Representing universities in sensitive campus investigations, both government-directed and internal related to allegations of civil rights violations.
- Served as the DOJ-appointed monitor of Glencore Ltd. until March 2025.
- Represented a major airline in a DOJ corruption investigation resolving with a declination.
- Represented a major tech company in a high stakes DOJ investigation which resolved with no charges.
- Represented a major airline in a DOJ corruption investigation resolving with a non-prosecution agreement.
- Represented individuals in market manipulation investigations and prosecutions.
- Represented a major university in a DOJ bribery investigation.
- Represented Guantánamo detainee Majid Khan as pro bono counsel for more than a decade, culminating in his release and resettlement in Belize in February 2023. Mr. Khan is the first high-value detainee to be transferred out of Guantánamo.
- Counsel to the examiner in the Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy examination.
- Investigated sexual misconduct allegations at an international independent school, producing a report for the board of directors and advising on policy reform.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
A recognized leader in investigations and crisis management, Katya Jestin’s experienced and strategic guidance helps companies, universities, and individuals navigate complex, high-stake matters with confidence. A former federal prosecutor, she serves as Co-Chair of the firm's Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice where she represents clients in criminal, regulatory, and congressional investigations. In addition, Katya helps companies, universities, executives, and boards conduct sensitive internal investigations on matters ranging from global compliance to culture risk. Katya is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and clients say she fosters a sense of calm and order as she provides strategic guidance to clients in crisis.
Katya represents clients in government facing matters, including before the US Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Known as a diligent, practical, and honest fact-finder, she brings credibility to her clients' dealings with government investigators and prosecutors. Outside of the investigative context, clients rely on her insight when building efficient and sustainable compliance programs. Notably, Katya served as the DOJ-appointed independent compliance monitor for Glencore Ltd. until March 2025.
As an Assistant US Attorney and supervisor in the Criminal Division of the Eastern District of New York, Katya investigated and prosecuted fraud, money laundering, and other white-collar offenses. She also prosecuted leaders of three of the five Mafia organized crime families and served as co-counsel in the RICO prosecution of Gambino boss Peter Gotti and 16 co-defendants.
Katya served for five years, from 2020 until the end of 2024, as Jenner & Block’s Co-Managing Partner. During her tenure, the firm experienced a period of transformational economic growth while also deepening its commitment to pro bono service and inclusion. As a member of the firm’s Policy Committee, Katya continues to provide strategic leadership and direction for the firm.
A very strong criminal defense attorney with really good judgment and common sense.
Chambers USA
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Representing universities in sensitive campus investigations, both government-directed and internal related to allegations of civil rights violations.
- Served as the DOJ-appointed monitor of Glencore Ltd. until March 2025.
- Represented a major airline in a DOJ corruption investigation resolving with a declination.
- Represented a major tech company in a high stakes DOJ investigation which resolved with no charges.
- Represented a major airline in a DOJ corruption investigation resolving with a non-prosecution agreement.
- Represented individuals in market manipulation investigations and prosecutions.
- Represented a major university in a DOJ bribery investigation.
- Represented Guantánamo detainee Majid Khan as pro bono counsel for more than a decade, culminating in his release and resettlement in Belize in February 2023. Mr. Khan is the first high-value detainee to be transferred out of Guantánamo.
- Counsel to the examiner in the Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy examination.
- Investigated sexual misconduct allegations at an international independent school, producing a report for the board of directors and advising on policy reform.
Credentials
Admissions
- New York, 1997
Education
- Georgetown University Law Center, JD, cum laude, 1996
- University of Texas at Austin, BA, 1991
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 2001
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York, 2001
- US District Court, Southern District of New York, 2007
- New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, 1997
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The American Lawyer, Best Mentor: Law Firm, 2023; Litigator of the Week, 2022
- Crain’s New York Business, Notable Women in Law, 2021, 2026
- Chambers USA, Litigation: White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations (New York), 2018-2026
- Corporate Counsel, Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards, Managing Partner of the Year, 2023
- Department of Justice, Director's Award, For Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney, 2004
- The National Law Journal, "Trailblazer," White Collar, Regulatory and Compliance, 2018
- New York Law Journal, Distinguished Leaders, 2017
- Legal 500, Dispute Resolution - General Commercial Disputes, 2016, 2017; Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense, 2020, 2021
- New York Metro Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White Collar, 2012-2023
- Office of Appellate Defender, Milton S. Gould Award for Outstanding Oral Advocacy, 2025
- Jenner & Block, Albert E. Jenner, Jr. Pro Bono Award, 2012; Associates Committee Mentoring Award, 2012
Community
- Directors' Council of Institute to End Mass Incarceration, Harvard Law School, Member
- The Brooklyn Museum, Advisor
- The Blanton Museum, National Leadership Board Member
- The Berkeley Carroll School, Board Member, former
- ECNY – The Economic Club of New York, former
Service to the Bar
- ALAS (Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society), Board Member
- Association of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Board Member, Vice President
- Office of Appellate Defender, Board Member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Board Member, former
