David B. Chenkin, Managing Partner

Attorney David B. Chenkin

David B. Chenkin is ZEK’s Managing Partner and chair of the firm’s Government Investigations, White Collar Defense and Anti-Money Laundering Group.

For more than forty years, Mr. Chenkin has represented global corporations and senior executives in complex litigation and government investigations. He has counseled clients in significant investigations conducted by the United States Congress and by federal, state and local prosecutors and regulators. Chenkin is nationally recognized for expertise in anti-money laundering (“AML”)/financial crime compliance and is certified as an Anti-Money Laundering Specialist by ACAMS (which is not affiliated with any governmental authority). He also frequently collaborates with other firms whose clients face government investigations, financial crime/AML/sanctions-related inquiries, civil litigation and prosecutions.

Chenkin is a frequent speaker on various government investigation/financial crime related topics. He also provides investigation training to global companies, other law firms, the U.S. Congress and federal, state and local law enforcement. He is a two-time recipient of the Department of Homeland Security’s HSI - New York Citizen’s Legacy Award, received for his efforts in counseling HSI agents in building relationships in the financial community and contributing to forging the HSI legacy by exhibiting the core values of honor, service, and integrity.

Representative government investigation clients include:

  • A senior executive of a global bank in parallel financial crime investigations conducted by the DOJ, the New York Department of Financial Services and other banking regulators.
  • Global financial institutions in investigations conducted by the U.S. Congress regarding human trafficking and child exploitation.
  • A global financial institution in an investigation conducted by the U.S. Congress regarding transnational financial crime.
  • A major financial institution in a worldwide sports corruption investigation conducted by the DOJ and various federal law enforcement agencies.
  • A global financial institution and senior executives in parallel investigations regarding the gaming industry conducted by various federal law enforcement agencies.
  • A global financial institution in parallel investigations conducted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office, the SEC, the NASD, the U.S. Congress and multiple banking regulators regarding alleged tax haven abuse, the use of offshore vehicles by U.S. citizens and alleged money laundering.
  • A senior executive of a global bank in a Congressional investigation regarding financial instruments.
  • A global financial institution in a Congressional investigation regarding international correspondent banking.
  • A global financial institution in a Congressional investigation into the causes of the 2008 financial crisis.
  • A global financial institution in a joint money laundering investigation by DOJ and IRS Criminal Investigation.
  • A global financial institution in a Congressional investigation regarding beneficial ownership, company formation and financial crime.
  • A global company in a Congressional investigation regarding subsidiaries of U.S. corporations located in offshore tax havens.
  • A global company in a Congressional investigation regarding the tax and accounting treatment of certain reserves.
  • A major financial institution in a Congressional investigation regarding kleptocracy and the global movement of illicit funds.
  • A major financial institution in parallel investigations regarding money service businesses conducted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office and multiple banking regulators.
  • A major financial institution in a Congressional investigation regarding dividend tax payments.
  • A senior executive of a global financial institution in a Congressional investigation into high frequency trading.
  • Additional experience representing clients in various financial crime, regulatory and cross-border investigations conducted by various federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and regulators.

*Not admitted to practice in the District of Columbia