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Jennifer Borum Bechet
Areas of Emphasis:
• Complex Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Securities Litigation and Arbitration
• Appellate
Ms. Bechet is an experienced litigator and a member of the firm. She has a practice concentrated in commercial and corporate litigation, compliance and ethics, as well as appellate and professional liability matters. She is admitted to practice law in Louisiana, New York, District of Columbia, Texas and Virginia. Ms. Bechet is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.
Prior to joining Stone Pigman, Ms. Bechet served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. During her service as a federal prosecutor, she handled a wide variety of white collar matters including corruption, embezzlement, and bank fraud investigations. She was a member of that office's Public Corruption Unit. In addition to trying cases to verdict, Ms. Bechet argued numerous appeals before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Subsequently, she practiced law in Richmond, Virginia; including representing a global financial services firm in securities arbitration matters.
Representative Matters
Advised large accounting firm and certified public accountant on compliance with subpoenas issued in connection with concurrent investigations by federal and state law enforcement agencies alleging embezzlement and violation of ERISA and tax laws.
Advised advertising executive in high-profile Department of Justice Antitrust investigation involving kickback and fraud conspiracy allegations.
Advised gaming company regarding compliance with Coast Guard law enforcement directive.
Represented accused in state criminal matter through case dismissal and record expungement.
Defending risk retention group in suit involving claim of legal malpractice.
Advocated before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, on behalf of major insurance company against challenge to policy conversion.
Represented owner of artwork in ownership rights matter in Federal District and Appellate Courts.
Defended major insurance company against claims alleging bad faith handling of property damage claims.
Counseled corporate owner of multiple nursing home facilities in challenge to Medicare intermediary proposed payment reimbursement rule.
Served as Liaison Counsel for major pharmaceutical company in multi-district Vioxx litigation.
Representing individuals in succession proceedings challenging the validity of testament. Education
Ms. Bechet received her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1990 where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. She received her B.A. with Highest Honors from Hampton University in 1987, graduating first in her class. In 2007, she was recognized as that university's Outstanding Twenty-Year Alumnus.
Upon graduation from law school, she served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable James M. Sprouse of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Professional and Civic Activities
Ms. Bechet is co-chair of the Ethics and Professionalism Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation and immediate past co-chair of the Minority Trial Lawyer Committee. She is also a member of the ABA Litigation Section's Criminal Litigation and Appellate Practice Committees. Ms. Bechet is a member of the Editorial Board of the Louisiana Bar Journal as well as the Louisiana State Bar Association Ethics Advisory Service and Publications Subcommittees and Public Information Committee. She is also a member of the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics, New Orleans Bar Association, Louisiana Association of Black Women Attorneys, Federal Bar Association, Louis A. Martinet Society, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and American MENSA, Ltd. In 2004, Ms. Bechet received state-wide recognition as "Big Sister of the Year" for her volunteer activities and legal work on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters Services, Inc. She has served as an officer and Master of the John Marshall Inn of Court. Ms. Bechet is the author of several nationally-published articles and has lectured on ethics and trial technique.
Publications
ABA's The Sound Advice Audio Library, "Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Working with Private Investigators " (April 2010)
In the Know: Institutional Notice of Potential Litigation Sufficient to Trigger an Organization's Duty to Preserve Evidence, E-DISCOVERY CONNECTION (Defense Research Institute, April 2009)
Undercover Ethics: Working with Private Investigators, PRETRIAL PRACTICE & DISCOVERY (Spring 2008)
Biting the Hand That Feeds You: An Undercover Investigation Gone Bad May Result in Evidentiary and Monetary Sanctions, PI MAGAZINE: JOURNAL OF PROFESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS (April 2005)
What's Good for the Goose Gets the Gander in Hot Water, FRANCHISE LAW JOURNAL (Spring 2004)
Note: "And Forgive Them Their Trespasses: Applying the Defense of Necessity to the Criminal Conduct of the News Gatherer," HARVARD LAW REVIEW (Vol. 103, 1990) Teaching Positions
As an adjunct professor at Tulane University School of Law, Ms. Bechet taught a course in Negotiation and Mediation Advocacy. Presentations
Panelist, Criminal Law for the Civil Law Lawyer, New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators' CLE Program (December 2011)
Lecturer, Gramps v. Slacker: Bridging the Generation Gap with Professionalism, New Orleans Bar Association Procrastinators' CLE Program (December 2011)
Program Chair, The Ethics Quiz Show: Are You Ready to Be a Player? ABA National Conference for the Minority Lawyer (September 2009)
Lecturer, Ethics Panel, New Orleans Bar Association Bench Bar Conference, (March 2009)
Lecturer, "I Spy: Ethical Considerations When Retaining Private Investigators in Civil Matters," Ethics CLE Presentation, New Orleans Bar Association (August 2008)
Lecturer, Cross-Examination Technique, Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Institute (July 2003, July 2004)
Honors and Awards
Ms. Bechet is a 2011 CityBusiness Women of the Year Honoree, a coveted annual recognition of 50 women in the New Orleans area based on their successes in helping to move the region forward with energy, innovative ideas, achievements and a commitment to service.
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