Washington, DC (October 20, 2025) – Venable LLP announced today that former Associate Deputy Attorney General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and first-chair trial lawyer Jeffrey S. Nestler has joined the firm’s Litigation Group as a partner in the Washington, DC office. Mr. Nestler brings extensive experience in white collar defense, complex litigation, national security enforcement, and regulatory investigations, following more than a decade as a prosecutor and senior DOJ leader. His superior trial skills add depth to Venable’s already deep bench of first-chair trial lawyers.
"We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to Venable," said Stacie Tobin, a co-chair of Venable’s Litigation Division. “His impressive background handling some of the most complex and high-profile federal prosecutions, combined with his exemplary trial skills, makes him an exceptional asset to our clients navigating both commercial disputes and government enforcement actions.
"Jeff's addition strengthens our capabilities at the intersection of commercial law, criminal law, cybersecurity, and regulatory risk," added Caroline Gately, chair of Venable’s Washington Litigation Group. "His combination of courtroom experience and strategic leadership enhances our ability to guide clients through complex disputes and high-stake investigations. We are excited to have him on board."
Mr. Nestler most recently served as a senior assistant United States attorney in the District of Columbia, where he first-chaired more than 50 trials and supervised dozens of other prosecutors conducting hundreds of their own trials. While at DOJ, Mr. Nestler also served as associate deputy attorney general, where he advised DOJ leadership on law enforcement priorities and helped oversee the work of all 94 United States Attorneys’ Offices.
"I'm excited to join a firm with such a strong platform and talented team," said Mr. Nestler. "Venable’s deep bench and collaborative culture provide a unique opportunity to help clients navigate complex legal and reputational challenges with strategic, trial-tested solutions."
Mr. Nestler holds a J.D. from University of Pennsylvania Law School and a B.A. in political science and political communication, magna cum laude, from George Washington University. Before joining the DOJ, he was a counsel focusing on complex commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense at an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm in Washington, DC.
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Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC, which serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 900 professionals across the country, including in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.venable.com/.