Jeffery B. Vaden

During Mr. Vaden's tenure at DOJ, he tried eight cases to jury verdict in Federal District Court and served as a Senior Litigation Counsel and a Training Officer for the Terrorism and National Security Section. Before joining DOJ, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in Harris County, Texas for five years, trying 60 first-chair jury trials to verdict.

Representative Matters

Lead counsel in an export controls and sanctions investigation of a multinational oil field services company, which included collaboration with DOJ's Fraud Section and the SEC on potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations, as well as coordination with a parallel proceeding with the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control. 

Counsel in an ongoing investigation of a multinational company for violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Trading with the Enemy Act.

Led the successful prosecution for illegal sales of U.S.-origin computer equipment to Syria under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and coordinated a parallel administrative action and export denial order for the business.

Led an investigation and successful prosecution of a real estate broker for money laundering in a mortgage fraud case involving “straw purchasers,” fraudulent appraisals, false tax returns and the laundering of drug proceeds.

Lead counsel in a narco-terrorism case involving the AUC (Autodefensas Unidos de Colombia), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and its efforts to obtain weapons in exchange for cocaine. The case included the first defendant ever extradited from Colombia on terrorism charges.

Successfully prosecuted an individual attempting to sell an explosive device to an undercover agent posing as an Al-Qaeda operative.

Trial co-counsel in the largest loss-of-life alien-smuggling incident in modern United States history.

Publications and Speeches

Chair and co-presenter, "Cutting Edge Advice for an Evolving World," Global Compliance Seminar, South Texas College of Law, October 13, 2011.

"Preventing Domestic Terrorism: The Necessities, Methodologies, and Synergies of Collective Law Enforcement," Sheriffs' Association of Texas 133rd Annual Training Conference, Houston, July 19, 2011.

"Former First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas, Talks About Trends and Issues," Criminal Litigation Newsletter, ABA Section of Litigation, Committee on Criminal Litigation, Spring 2011.

Co-author, "The Brits Are Coming: Is Your Compliance Program Ready for the Bribery Act?, The Energy Law Advisor, June 2011.

Co-presenter, "Negotiating with the U.S. Department of Justice: Strategies for Optimal Results," Main Justice Webinar, April 13, 2011.

“Status of International Cooperation in Bribery Investigations/Prosecutions,” Global Compliance Seminar, South Texas College of Law, October 21, 2010.

“Export Controls and Sanctions,” University of Houston Law Center, April 8, 2010.

Co-presenter, “Discovery Training,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, December 9, 2009.

“Export Controls and Sanctions, From Compliance to Cooperation: A Government Perspective,” Global Compliance Seminar, South Texas College of Law, October 15, 2009.

Co-presenter, “Jury Selection,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, September 23, 2009.

“Jury Selection,” University of Houston Law Center, October 21, 2009.

Co-presenter, “Drafting Conspiracy Indictments,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas, October 22, 2008.

“Terrorism Trends,” International Law Enforcement Academy, San Salvador, El Salvador, August 26, 2008.