Zandi Marinzel is a seasoned litigator with over a decade of experience defending businesses and individuals in government investigations and in civil litigation. She routinely represents clients facing investigations and enforcement actions brought by the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, FINRA, and state securities regulators, as well as cross border investigations conducted by foreign law enforcement authorities and regulators. She also has significant experience in defending clients against allegations of wrongdoing brought in civil litigation or arbitration, including in the FINRA, JAMS, and AAA forums.
Zandi helps clients in a wide range of industries, including financial services, crypto, fintech, energy, oil and gas, telecommunications, government contracting, and healthcare. She argues cases at both the federal and state levels and has taken many cases to trial. Her expertise and insight into white-collar criminal defense, regulatory enforcement defense, and complex litigation provides clients with comprehensive representation through all phases a matter may take.
Relatedly, Zandi also regularly conducts internal investigations and advises clients on compliance matters. She also serves as an outside compliance expert to companies subject to compliance monitoring imposed by the SEC and FINRA.
White Collar Criminal Defense
Defense of DOJ anti-corruption investigation*
Represented numerous sales executives in FCPA investigations brought by DOJ, a number of which included cross-border investigations in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Brazil, the Netherlands, and India.
Defense of DOJ spoofing investigation and trial
Represented compliance officer of one of the world's largest banks in DOJ investigation into alleged spoofing and other market manipulation crimes.
Defense of DOJ accounting fraud investigation*
Represented employees of multi-national government contracting company in DOJ investigation into alleged accounting fraud.
Defense of DOJ Ponzi scheme investigation and related civil litigation*
Represented financial services company and its owner in DOJ investigation into alleged Ponzi scheme and accompanying civil litigation.
Regulatory Enforcement Defense
Defense of SEC investigation and administrative trial*
Represented registered investment advisor (RIA) and its CEO in SEC investigation and administrative trial regarding alleged books and records and compliance rule violations.
Defense of CFTC and DOJ market manipulation investigations*
Represented broker and trader in CFTC investigations into allegations of market manipulation, including joint criminal investigations by DOJ.
Defense of SEC and CFTC registration investigation
Represented decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) in joint SEC and CFTC investigations into alleged failure to register.
Defense of CFTC fraud and registration investigation
Represented founders of crypto token in CFTC investigation into allegations of fraud and failure to register.
Complex Civil Litigation and Arbitration
Defense of broker-dealer and RIA firms in high-stakes customer arbitrations
Regularly defend broker-dealer and RIA firms and firm employees in large and complex FINRA, JAMS, and AAA arbitrations brought by customers.
Major U.S. Bank RMBS litigation*
Represented major US bank in complex residential mortgage baked securities litigation.
Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia, 2013
- Maryland, 2011
Education
- J.D., The George Washington University Law School, 2011, with honors
- B.A., Psychology, Villanova University, 2003
Memberships & Affiliations
Women's White Collar Defense Association