Career
Sharon Cohen Levin is Co-Head of the Firmās National Security Practice and a partner in the Firmās Litigation Group and Criminal Defense and Investigations Group. She is a leading expert on anti-money laundering (AML), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), economic sanctions and asset forfeiture matters. She represents a diverse group of clients, including financial institutions, multinational companies, and individuals in connection with criminal, regulatory, and civil enforcement actions. Ms. Levin also represents collectors, dealers, galleries, auction houses, museums, and financial institutions in civil and criminal investigations and asset forfeiture proceedings related to the art market, including with respect to issues of ownership, theft, and fraud as well as the recovery of stolen and looted art and cultural property. In addition, Ms. Levinās practice includes BSA/AML and sanctions compliance counseling. Ms. Levin served for almost 20 years as Chief of the Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit in the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Under her leadership, the SDNY was responsible for nearly 60% of all forfeitures in the United States, with most of the proceeds remitted to victims of crimes. During her tenure, Ms. Levin prosecuted and supervised many of the DOJās most complex and significant money laundering, sanctions and asset forfeiture cases. Ms. Levin has worked closely throughout her career with state and federal banking regulators, OFAC, FinCEN, SEC and NYDFS, giving her a broad understanding of how these agencies work together, especially in matters involving civil and criminal liability.
