An experienced former prosecutor, Adam Kaufmann practices in the areas of investigations, cross-border asset tracing and judgment enforcement, white-collar crime, sanctions, and complex commercial fraud. He represents U.S. and international clients—both individuals and companies—in criminal, civil and investigative matters throughout the world.
An expert in U.S. sanctions, Adam advises clients on compliance with OFAC regulations, conducts internal investigations into alleged sanctions violations, guides clients through self-reporting situations, and represents them in unblocking funds and delisting petitions.
Much of Adam’s practice involves cross-border matters, both criminal and civil. He represents clients in criminal extradition proceedings and white-collar cases and handles complex multi-jurisdictional cases involving the intersection of U.S. and foreign law. He also regularly represents foreign clients seeking evidence in the United States pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 and has represented clients tracing assets all over the world. A recognized expert in international criminal law, corruption, and fraud, Adam has lectured on these topics in jurisdictions around the world and has testified twice before the United States Senate. He is recognized by Lexology (formerly Who’s Who Legal) for Asset Recovery and by Chambers for Asset Tracing & Recovery (global-wide) and International Counsel: Corporate Crime and Investigations (Latin America).
Adam also advises clients facing crises and reputational challenges, providing a strategic approach tailored to each client’s unique circumstances and risks. Clients who have relied on him in such circumstances include Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks in relation to allegations of sexual harassment by the Mavericks CEO, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, and real estate developer Michael Shvo.
Prior to entering private practice, Adam served as a prosecutor for 18 years at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, focusing on international financial crime. Under legendary District Attorney Robert Morgenthau he headed the International Financial Crime Bureau and later led the White-Collar Division. He supervised and worked on numerous international money laundering and corruption matters, including the investigation that led to the indictment of former São Paulo mayor and governor Paulo Maluf of Brazil, the seizure of his assets in the Isle of Jersey, as well as the seizure of tens of millions of dollars in black market funds from Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
During his years as a prosecutor, Adam also played a key role in matters related to illicit Iranian money movement, including investigations that led to the indictments of the Iranian Shipping Line and of a Chinese proliferator of weapon of mass destruction (WMD) materials. He led the investigation of the Alavi Foundation in New York, which culminated in the federal forfeiture of the skyscraper at 650 Fifth Avenue, as well as the prosecutions of foreign banks for laundering billions of dollars on behalf of Iran and Sudan in violation of U.S. sanctions. These cases interdicted a global network of sanctions-violating banks, led to forfeitures totaling billions of dollars, and spurred reforms in international payment processing. In 2007, the bureau he led received a commendation from the United States Central Intelligence Agency for “Valuable Support to the National Security of the United States.”
Adam’s extensive experience in international matters—both as a prosecutor and in private practice—provides him with a deep understanding of global financial systems and a wide network of contacts around the world. Clients benefit from his ability to analyze complex fraud schemes, trace the movement of funds across jurisdictions, and recover misappropriated assets. Whether addressing criminal, civil, regulatory, or reputational challenges, Adam is known for strategic, creative solutions.