Bethany K.Biesenthal

Partner

Chicago + 1.312.269.4303

Bethany Biesenthal is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Chambers-rated litigator, and a former federal prosecutor. She has served as a lead trial lawyer in more than 20 trials and has argued more than a dozen federal circuit appeals. Bethany has successfully led litigation teams in high-stakes matters, including litigation brought by attorneys general and defending against allegations of corporate misconduct. Bethany is routinely called upon to try difficult cases and recently secured a complete acquittal for a client accused of racketeering and fraud.

As a prosecutor, Bethany led hundreds of investigations involving financial fraud, national security, health care fraud, securities fraud, and public corruption. As a result, clients now routinely seek Bethany's assistance in handling corporate and government investigations, including those involving allegations of government fraud and compliance audits led by government agencies.

Bethany currently serves as general counsel to the City of Chicago Police Board, where she counsels the Board in navigating a court-appointed monitor. Bethany also serves as Jones Day's lead for global human trafficking-related litigation and routinely counsels clients on corporate supply chain diligence and the impact of emerging technologies, including generative AI, and risks relating to trafficking and human rights abuses.

Bethany has received numerous honors for her government service, was named one of the Top 50 Exceptional Women Lawyers in Chicago by Chicago Lawyer, and was named a Law360 2023 MVP, which recognizes the top five lawyers nationally by practice area.

Bethany serves on the Seventh Circuit Committee on Pattern Jury Instructions, is active in numerous women's initiatives, and teaches trial practice at the request of district court judges.

Experience

  • Multinational manufacturing firm receives full declination in federal forced labor and securities grand jury investigationJones Day successfully represented a publicly traded multinational manufacturing firm in a federal grand jury investigation into alleged forced labor and securities offenses related to its operations in China.
  • Client charged with two counts of federal conspiracy is fully acquittedJones Day represented an individual facing federal racketeering and conspiracy charges in connection with the individual's time working as a salesperson at a large financial institution.
  • Non-profit organization responds to grand jury investigationJones Day represented a non-profit organization in connection with a federal grand jury investigation related to incidents that occurred at the organization.
  • Client facing potential unlawful export and fraud felony charges receives plea deal for misdemeanor and sentence of conditional dischargeJones Day represented an individual facing potential felony charges for unlawful export and fraud in connection with a federal grand jury investigation.
  • Consulting firm responds to parallel federal grand jury and Securities and Exchange investigationsJones Day represented a consulting firm in responding to parallel federal grand jury and Securities and Exchange Commission investigations related to allegations of insider trading.
  • Development and investment firm defends grand jury investigation relating to public corruptionJones Day represented a development and investment firm in connection with a federal grand jury investigation pertaining to public corruption.
  • Health care professional defends against fraud and identity theft claimsJones Day defended a former health care professional charged in an eight-count federal indictment alleging violations of health care fraud and aggravated identify theft in a multimillion dollar fraud scheme.
  • Child pornography victim recovers $93,532.57 in restitutionJones Day represented a child pornography victim and her family in obtaining a $93,532.57 criminal restitution award on July 25.
  • Multinational company conducts internal investigation relating to accounting practicesJones Day assisted a multinational company by conducting an internal investigation into complaints regarding the accounting practices of the client.
  • Chevron buys Pasadena Refining System for $350 million from Petrobras America Inc.Jones Day advised Chevron U.S.A. Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, in its purchase of all of the equity interests of Pasadena Refining System Inc. ("PRSI") and PRSI Trading, LLC from Petrobras America Inc. for $350 million, subject to adjustments for working capital.
  • Food company undertakes compliance review relating to human trafficking lawsOn behalf of a company in the food industry, Jones Day conducted an internal investigation involving human trafficking issues related to an overseas subcontractor.
  • Additional Speaking Engagements

    • September 9, 2021
      Legal Privilege in Cross-Border Investigations
    • August 3, 2021
      Spoofing and Disruptive Trading in the Derivatives Market
    • August 2, 2021
      The Knoble: Supply Chain 101
    • June 10, 2019
      The Judicial Seminar on Human Trafficking, Forced Labor, and Child Exploitation in Thailand
    • June 6, 2019
      Jones Day MCLE University Chicago 2019
    • May 7, 2019
      Working Together to End Human Trafficking -- Jones Day and Rotary
    • February 6, 2019
      Hot Trends in DOJ and SEC Enforcement and Litigation Conference
    • January 22, 2019
      Hyatt Women -- A Conversation in Support of Human Trafficking Awareness Month
    • September 26, 2018
      The 2018 Corporate Risk, Ethics and Compliance Forum At the Crossroads of Risk Management, Data Privacy, and Emerging Technology
    • June 7, 2018
      We're Not in Kansas Anymore: Managing Risks for International Companies, Jones Day University

    Speaking Engagements Prior to Jones Day

    January 2018
    Chicago Bar Association, Fireside Chat about Human Trafficking in Chicago

    August 2017
    Crimes Against Children Conference, A Case Study on Sex Trafficking
    Dallas, Texas

    August 2017
    Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Conference, Working with Survivors of Trauma as they Engage with the Criminal Justice System
    Chicago, Illinois

    January 2017
    Federal Bar Association, Human Trafficking Seminar
    Chicago, Illinois

    August 2016
    Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force Annual Conference, Case Study on Violent Traffickers
    Chicago, Illinois

    September 2015
    Domestic Terrorism Conference, National Advocacy Center, Case Study on Domestic Terrorism

    September 2013
    Gangsters:  America's Most Evil, Reelz TV Channel

    September 2013
    NBC News, gun trafficking segment