Nekia Hackworth Jones

Partner

Atlantic Station
201 17th Street NW
Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30363

T 404.322.6465
F 404.322.6050

nekia.hackworth@nelsonmullins.com

Nekia Hackworth Jones handles white collar criminal defense matters, government investigations, and business litigation. Nekia is a seasoned litigator with over a decade of experience in federal trial and appellate courts. Nekia rejoined Nelson Mullins in 2018 after a 10-year career with the United States Department of Justice, where she served both as a trial attorney handling complex criminal investigations and as a legal advisor to senior-level government officials. From 2008 to 2018, Nekia was an Assistant U.S. Attorney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, handling criminal matters ranging from healthcare and financial fraud to organized crime and human trafficking. In 2015, Nekia was selected by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to work in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in Washington, DC, as Senior Counsel and, later, as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

attorney handling complex criminal investigations and as a legal advisor to senior-level government officials. From 2008 to 2018, Nekia was an Assistant U.S. Attorney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, handling criminal matters ranging from healthcare and financial fraud to organized crime and human trafficking. In 2015, Nekia was selected by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to work in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in Washington, DC, as Senior Counsel and, later, as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Atlanta (2008-2015, 2017-2018)
- Investigated and prosecuted approximately 100 federal criminal cases, including mortgage fraud, tax fraud, healthcare fraud, securities and investment fraud, human trafficking, criminal street gangs, firearms violations, public corruption, and drug trafficking
  - Complex Frauds Section (2013-2015, 2017-2018)
    - Devised strategy and provided counsel to federal law enforcement officers regarding ongoing investigations of individuals and organizations to determine nature and scope of possible violations of federal law, including securities and investment fraud, bank and mortgage fraud, tax fraud, and healthcare fraud
    - Collaborated and consulted with federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, to strategically evaluate and assess potential violations of federal law
  - Violent Crimes Section (2008-2013)
    - Served as trial counsel in more than 10 federal criminal jury trials, including trials involving a racially motivated prison murder by two supremacist gang members (life and 31-year sentences), a sex trafficking defendant who exploited five adult women and a 13-year-old child (life sentence), and father-son defendants who robbed local Atlanta businesses (40- and 20-year sentences)
    - Argued three appeals before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals with favorable results, including an opinion affirming a life sentence in a human trafficking case and a published opinion defining the scope of the derivative citizenship defense in criminal immigration matters
U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC (2015-2017)
- Associate Deputy Attorney General (October 2016 to January 2017) & Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (August 2016 to January 2017).
  - Served as an advisor to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States, as well as senior Department officials, regarding policies and programs designed to combat financial fraud. Led an interagency task force charged with facilitating coordination in identifying financial fraud trends, driving enforcement initiatives, and setting priorities for fraud prosecutors and regulatory agencies
- Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General (July 2015 to September 2016).
  - Provided advice and counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States on a range of legal, policy, and programming matters of national significance, including criminal justice reform, corrections, prisoner reentry, alternatives to incarceration, and Indian country
Litigation Associate, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (2006-2008)
Corporate Restructuring Associate, New York office of international law firm (2004-2005)

Education

Harvard Law School, JD (2004)
- Co-Managing Editor, Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal
- Treasurer and Spring Conference committee co-chair of the Harvard Black Law Students Association
Harvard Business School, Master of Business Administration (2004)
Emory University, BBA, cum laude (1999)

Admissions

Georgia
New York

Clerkships

The Honorable Sterling Johnson Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2005 - 2006)

Practice Areas

Industries

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Atlanta (2008-2015, 2017-2018)
- Investigated and prosecuted approximately 100 federal criminal cases, including mortgage fraud, tax fraud, healthcare fraud, securities and investment fraud, human trafficking, criminal street gangs, firearms violations, public corruption, and drug trafficking
  - Complex Frauds Section (2013-2015, 2017-2018)
    - Devised strategy and provided counsel to federal law enforcement officers regarding ongoing investigations of individuals and organizations to determine nature and scope of possible violations of federal law, including securities and investment fraud, bank and mortgage fraud, tax fraud, and healthcare fraud
    - Collaborated and consulted with federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, to strategically evaluate and assess potential violations of federal law
  - Violent Crimes Section (2008-2013)
    - Served as trial counsel in more than 10 federal criminal jury trials, including trials involving a racially motivated prison murder by two supremacist gang members (life and 31-year sentences), a sex trafficking defendant who exploited five adult women and a 13-year-old child (life sentence), and father-son defendants who robbed local Atlanta businesses (40- and 20-year sentences)
    - Argued three appeals before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals with favorable results, including an opinion affirming a life sentence in a human trafficking case and a published opinion defining the scope of the derivative citizenship defense in criminal immigration matters
U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC (2015-2017)
- Associate Deputy Attorney General (October 2016 to January 2017) & Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (August 2016 to January 2017).
  - Served as an advisor to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States, as well as senior Department officials, regarding policies and programs designed to combat financial fraud. Led an interagency task force charged with facilitating coordination in identifying financial fraud trends, driving enforcement initiatives, and setting priorities for fraud prosecutors and regulatory agencies
- Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General (July 2015 to September 2016).
  - Provided advice and counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States on a range of legal, policy, and programming matters of national significance, including criminal justice reform, corrections, prisoner reentry, alternatives to incarceration, and Indian country
Litigation Associate, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (2006-2008)
Corporate Restructuring Associate, New York office of international law firm (2004-2005)

Articles & Speeches

Visit Idea Exchange

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney’s inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Women Worth Watching Leadership Award, Profiles in Diversity Journal (2018)
Community Service Award, Atlanta Bar Association (2014)
Excellence in Appellate Advocacy, United States Attorney’s Office Award (2013)
Georgia Lawyers On the Rise, Daily Report (2012)

Professional Activities

State Bar of Georgia
- Committee on Professionalism, Member (2013-2015)
Atlanta Bar Association
- Board of Directors (2014-2015)
- Committee Co-Chair, Summer Law Internship Program (2007-present)
- Law Week (2013-2015)
Gate City Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Secretary (2015)
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
- Foundation Board of Directors (2017-present)
- Board of Directors & Committee Co-Chair, Political Action (2008-2009)
- Legal Education (2009-2010)
- Inter-Bar Relations (2010-2011)
Georgia Association of Women Lawyers
- Programs Committee (2017-present)

Leadership

Master, Bleckley Inn of Court (2018-2020)

Overview

Nekia Hackworth Jones handles white collar criminal defense matters, government investigations, and business litigation. Nekia is a seasoned litigator with over a decade of experience in federal trial and appellate courts. Nekia rejoined Nelson Mullins in 2018 after a 10-year career with the United States Department of Justice, where she served both as a trial... attorney handling complex criminal investigations and as a legal advisor to senior-level government officials. From 2008 to 2018, Nekia was an Assistant U.S. Attorney of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta, handling criminal matters ranging from healthcare and financial fraud to organized crime and human trafficking. In 2015, Nekia was selected by Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to work in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General in Washington, DC, as Senior Counsel and, later, as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force.

Experience

Following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Previous Professional Experience

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Atlanta (2008-2015, 2017-2018)
- Investigated and prosecuted approximately 100 federal criminal cases, including mortgage fraud, tax fraud, healthcare fraud, securities and investment fraud, human trafficking, criminal street gangs, firearms violations, public corruption, and drug trafficking
  - Complex Frauds Section (2013-2015, 2017-2018)
    - Devised strategy and provided counsel to federal law enforcement officers regarding ongoing investigations of individuals and organizations to determine nature and scope of possible violations of federal law, including securities and investment fraud, bank and mortgage fraud, tax fraud, and healthcare fraud
    - Collaborated and consulted with federal regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Internal Revenue Service, to strategically evaluate and assess potential violations of federal law
  - Violent Crimes Section (2008-2013)
    - Served as trial counsel in more than 10 federal criminal jury trials, including trials involving a racially motivated prison murder by two supremacist gang members (life and 31-year sentences), a sex trafficking defendant who exploited five adult women and a 13-year-old child (life sentence), and father-son defendants who robbed local Atlanta businesses (40- and 20-year sentences)
    - Argued three appeals before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals with favorable results, including an opinion affirming a life sentence in a human trafficking case and a published opinion defining the scope of the derivative citizenship defense in criminal immigration matters
U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, DC (2015-2017)
- Associate Deputy Attorney General (October 2016 to January 2017) & Executive Director of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (August 2016 to January 2017).
  - Served as an advisor to the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General of the United States, as well as senior Department officials, regarding policies and programs designed to combat financial fraud. Led an interagency task force charged with facilitating coordination in identifying financial fraud trends, driving enforcement initiatives, and setting priorities for fraud prosecutors and regulatory agencies
- Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General (July 2015 to September 2016).
  - Provided advice and counsel to the Deputy Attorney General of the United States on a range of legal, policy, and programming matters of national significance, including criminal justice reform, corrections, prisoner reentry, alternatives to incarceration, and Indian country
Litigation Associate, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough (2006-2008)
Corporate Restructuring Associate, New York office of international law firm (2004-2005)

Education

Harvard Law School, JD (2004)
- Co-Managing Editor, Harvard BlackLetter Law Journal
- Treasurer and Spring Conference committee co-chair of the Harvard Black Law Students Association
Harvard Business School, Master of Business Administration (2004)
Emory University, BBA, cum laude (1999)

Admissions

Georgia
New York

Clerkships

The Honorable Sterling Johnson Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York (2005 - 2006)

Practice Areas

Industries

Articles & Speeches

Visit Idea Exchange

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

Women Worth Watching Leadership Award, Profiles in Diversity Journal (2018)
Community Service Award, Atlanta Bar Association (2014)
Excellence in Appellate Advocacy, United States Attorney’s Office Award (2013)
Georgia Lawyers On the Rise, Daily Report (2012)

Professional Activities

State Bar of Georgia
- Committee on Professionalism, Member (2013-2015)
Atlanta Bar Association
- Board of Directors (2014-2015)
- Committee Co-Chair, Summer Law Internship Program (2007-present)
- Law Week (2013-2015)
Gate City Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Secretary (2015)
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
- Foundation Board of Directors (2017-present)
- Board of Directors & Committee Co-Chair, Political Action (2008-2009)
- Legal Education (2009-2010)
- Inter-Bar Relations (2010-2011)
Georgia Association of Women Lawyers
- Programs Committee (2017-present)