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David B.Kent

Of Counsel
David Kent

David Kent brings more than 20 years of experience handling complex white-collar investigations and enforcement litigation from both sides of the courtroom. As a former federal prosecutor and CFTC trial attorney, he has investigated and prosecuted some of the government’s most sensitive fraud and public corruption cases. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to defend clients facing similar allegations.

David’s practice spans financial fraud, public corruption, FCPA violations, healthcare and government contracting fraud, securities and commodities violations, cybercrime, money laundering, and emerging issues involving virtual currency and decentralized finance (DeFi). Before joining Verdi & Ogletree, he served as director and associate general counsel of global investigations at a leading blockchain data analytics company, where he oversaw risk management and litigation support, including in United States v. Roman Sterlingov (“Bitcoin Fog”)—a case that resulted in precedential admissibility rulings for blockchain analytics expert testimony. His unique combination of prosecutorial experience, regulatory enforcement background, in-house perspective, and cutting-edge technology expertise positions him to handle highly complex issues, investigations, and litigation.

Relevant Experience

  • White-Collar Defense & Government Investigations

    Financial fraud, public corruption, FCPA violations, healthcare fraud, government contracting fraud, cybercrime
  • Virtual Currency & DeFi Investigations

    Cryptocurrency fraud, blockchain analytics, money laundering, and emergent technology disputes
  • Securities & Commodities Enforcement

    Market manipulation, disruptive trading practices, and regulatory investigations
  • Civil Litigation

    False Claims Act defense, anti-kickback litigation, breach of contract, procurement fraud
  • Internal Investigations & Compliance

    FCPA compliance programs, anti-money laundering (AML) training, and risk management

Government Service & In-House Counsel

  • U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia – Assistant U.S. attorney handling high-profile fraud and public corruption cases
  • U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission – Trial attorney investigating and litigating market manipulation and financial fraud
  • Blockchain analytics company – Director and associate general counsel overseeing global investigations and litigation support

Bar Admissions

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Education

  • Stanford Law School
    J.D., 2002
  • Georgetown University
    B.S., Foreign Service, 1994