With an illustrious legal career spanning nearly three decades, Joanna C. Hendon has established herself as a leading authority in white-collar defense and government investigations. As the co-leader of Alston & Bird’s White Collar, Government & Internal Investigations Team, she brings a wealth of trial experience and strategic insight to her practice. Joanna is celebrated for her relentless advocacy and exceptional courtroom prowess. She provides sophisticated legal counsel to clients embroiled in investigations or litigation.
Her extensive experience includes representing corporations and individuals in trials, arbitrations, and civil litigation. Joanna navigates complex legal matters before an array of federal and state agencies, such as the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Reserve, the New York Department of Financial Services, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the New York Attorney General’s Office, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Her ability to effectively interact with these agencies underscores her comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks and enforcement actions.
Joanna Exceptional Work
Joanna’s exceptional work has not gone unnoticed. Chambers USA has awarded her a Band 1 ranking in White Collar Crime and Government Investigations. This placed her among the top practitioners in this field. In 2019, she was shortlisted for Chambers’ prestigious New York White Collar Crime & Government Investigations Lawyer of the Year award. Client testimonials featured in Chambers highlight her as “exceptionally brilliant” and “outstanding.” Hence, this reflects the high esteem with which she is held by those she represents.
Early in her career, Joanna honed her litigation skills as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. While serving in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, she handled numerous jury trials, gaining invaluable experience in prosecuting complex financial crimes. Her outstanding performance as a federal prosecutor earned her the John Marshall Award, the Department of Justice’s highest honor bestowed upon a lawyer for excellence at trial.
Before her tenure as a prosecutor, Joanna was a law clerk to the Honorable Frank M. Coffin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Hence, this clerkship gave her deep insights into the appellate process and enriched her legal acumen. Joanna’s combination of public service and private practice experience equips her with a unique perspective, enabling her to navigate the most challenging legal landscapes confidently and skillfully.
