Former Assistant US Attorney in the Central District of California Carolyn Small Boosts Jenner & Block’s Investigation, Compliance, and Defense Practice in Los Angeles
News
January 9, 2024
(LOS ANGELES – January 9, 2024) Jenner & Block has expanded its Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice in Los Angeles with the addition of Carolyn Small, a former Assistant US Attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the Criminal Division in the Central District of California.
Carolyn follows the arrivals of Partners Alex Romain and Jennifer Lee in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively.
“We are delighted to welcome Carolyn to Jenner & Block’s Investigations, Compliance and Defense team,” said Co-Managing Partners Katya Jestin and Randy Mehrberg. “Our Los Angeles office is experiencing significant growth. Her addition will only bolster our strength in one of our core areas of expertise on the West Coast, allowing us to further expand our capabilities and support our clients.”
During her time at the US Attorney’s Office, Carolyn served on the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force and investigated and prosecuted complex financial crimes, including securities fraud, corporate embezzlement, COVID-related fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. Carolyn was one of the lead prosecutors in the high-profile investigation into Wells Fargo’s sales-practice misconduct. The case resulted in a $3 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the company and a guilty plea by a former bank executive.
“Carolyn will help expand our existing white-collar expertise on the West Coast and deepen our nationwide bench of former assistant US attorneys,” said Brandon Fox, Co-Chair of the firm’s Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice and Office Managing Partner of Los Angeles and Century City. “She will be a pillar and key component to the continued expansion of our Los Angeles offices. I am thrilled to be working with her once again.”
Carolyn is a seasoned trial lawyer and has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a wide range of cases involving fraud and constitutional issues. She has also investigated government procurement and antitrust violations.
Carolyn has joined the firm as a special counsel and will be based in our Downtown LA office. She previously clerked for the Honorable Sandra S. Ikuta of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
January 9, 2024
(LOS ANGELES – January 9, 2024) Jenner & Block has expanded its Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice in Los Angeles with the addition of Carolyn Small, a former Assistant US Attorney in the Major Frauds Section of the Criminal Division in the Central District of California.
Carolyn follows the arrivals of Partners Alex Romain and Jennifer Lee in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively.
“We are delighted to welcome Carolyn to Jenner & Block’s Investigations, Compliance and Defense team,” said Co-Managing Partners Katya Jestin and Randy Mehrberg. “Our Los Angeles office is experiencing significant growth. Her addition will only bolster our strength in one of our core areas of expertise on the West Coast, allowing us to further expand our capabilities and support our clients.”
During her time at the US Attorney’s Office, Carolyn served on the Corporate and Securities Fraud Strike Force and investigated and prosecuted complex financial crimes, including securities fraud, corporate embezzlement, COVID-related fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. Carolyn was one of the lead prosecutors in the high-profile investigation into Wells Fargo’s sales-practice misconduct. The case resulted in a $3 billion deferred prosecution agreement with the company and a guilty plea by a former bank executive.
“Carolyn will help expand our existing white-collar expertise on the West Coast and deepen our nationwide bench of former assistant US attorneys,” said Brandon Fox, Co-Chair of the firm’s Investigations, Compliance, and Defense Practice and Office Managing Partner of Los Angeles and Century City. “She will be a pillar and key component to the continued expansion of our Los Angeles offices. I am thrilled to be working with her once again.”
Carolyn is a seasoned trial lawyer and has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a wide range of cases involving fraud and constitutional issues. She has also investigated government procurement and antitrust violations.
Carolyn has joined the firm as a special counsel and will be based in our Downtown LA office. She previously clerked for the Honorable Sandra S. Ikuta of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News and Insights
Publications
Meghan Greenfield Discusses Top Environmental Policies to Watch in Law360
Partner Meghan Greenfield spoke to for an article highlighting the key environmental regulatory developments expected in the second half of 2026. Meghan discussed the legal reasoning the agency may rely on as it considers further rulemaking addressing greenhouse gas pollution, and hurdles the agency may face.
July 22, 2026
Publications
Partner Meghan Greenfield Quoted in The Associated Press on Offshore Wind and National Security
Partner Meghan Greenfield spoke with The Associated Press for an article examining the Trump Administration's use of national security justifications to halt offshore wind development.
July 21, 2026
Podcasts
Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon Discusses Fintech Enforcement, Debanking, and Regulatory Risk on Fintech Layer Cake Podcast
Partner Laurel Loomis Rimon was featured on the Fintech Layer Cake podcast, where she discussed how fintech enforcement and prosecution actually work in practice, and what exposes fintechs and banks to regulatory risk.
July 15, 2026
Event
Partner Suedeen Kelly to Speak at ABA SEER's 34th Fall Conference
On Thursday, October 15, Partner Suedeen Kelly will speak on a panel at the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (ABA SEER) 34th Fall Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
October 15, 2026
Publications
Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Private Rights of Action Under the Investment Company Act, Private Equity Law Report
Partners Charles Riely, Todd C. Toral, and Martin Glass authored a guest article for Private Equity Law Report examining the US Supreme Court's June 11, 2026, ruling on the scope of private rights of action under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
July 14, 2026
Podcasts
Associate Christian Hatten Featured on Georgetown Law's NatSec EmTech Podcast
Associate Christian Hatten was featured on Georgetown Law's NatSec EmTech podcast, where he joined Professor Laura K. Donohue to discuss how radio spectrum is regulated and why it has become increasingly critical to space, telecommunications, and national security.
July 9, 2026