Criminal Sentencing: How to Tell your Client’s Story (Presented by the Federal Bar Association’s Federal Litigation Section, Younger Lawyers Division, and the Kansas and Western District of Missouri Chapter)

Teny Geragos, Founding Partner | Agnifilo Intrater LLP

Teny Geragos, a founding partner of Agnifilo Intrater LLP, defends individuals in federal and state criminal cases at both the trial and appellate level. Most recently, Ms. Geragos helped secure an acquittal for Sean Combs for the charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy in the Southern District of New York. Teny is particularly experienced in defending and investigating allegations of sexual misconduct, which involve complex legal issues and emotionally charged situations. She has represented numerous individuals accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or other types of sexual misconduct. Teny has also regularly represented victims of sexual assault and violence, helping them navigate the difficulties of reporting to the police, and cooperating with law enforcement investigations. Finally, Teny has led several internal investigations, including in the construction and healthcare industries.

• Education & Credentials

Teny Geragos is a founding partner of Agnifilo Intrater LLP and represents individuals in federal and state criminal matters at both the trial and appellate levels. She has extensive experience handling complex and high-stakes criminal cases across jurisdictions. (Specific academic credentials are not included in the provided biography.)

• Recognition & Leadership

Ms. Geragos has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years in recognition of her professional excellence. She serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Criminal Bar Association and regularly publishes and speaks on criminal law topics, including gag orders, protective orders, and electronic discovery management.

• Professional Involvement

In addition to her active trial and appellate practice, Ms. Geragos advises individuals navigating sensitive allegations of sexual misconduct and has represented both accused individuals and victims in such matters. She also conducts internal investigations across industries, including construction and healthcare, and remains actively engaged in the broader criminal defense bar through leadership and speaking roles.

• Experience

Ms. Geragos has defended a broad range of criminal matters, including sexual assault, securities fraud, wire fraud, public corruption, tax evasion, narcotics offenses, and FCPA cases, as well as cases involving significant collateral consequences such as deportation. Most recently, she helped secure an acquittal in the Southern District of New York on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. Prior to founding her firm, she spent approximately eight years at Brafman & Associates, P.C., where she handled numerous complex and high-profile criminal defense matters.

Dan Webb, Co-Executive Chairman | Winston & Strawn LLP

Dan is co-executive chairman of Winston & Strawn and one of the most distinguished and sought-after trial lawyers in the United States. He has tried more than 100 jury cases involving a wide variety of claims and been named a fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. Notably, Dan achieved international acclaim for his successful prosecution of retired Admiral John Poindexter in the Iran-Contra Affair. He served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and has served in special prosecutor or similar roles on several occasions, including for the successful prosecution of actor Jussie Smollett in Chicago, for which he was named Am Law’s “Litigator of the Week” in December 2021.

• Education & Credentials

Dan serves as Co-Executive Chairman of Winston & Strawn and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has tried more than 100 jury cases across a broad spectrum of civil, criminal, regulatory, and commercial matters. He previously served as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois and has been appointed to serve in special prosecutor and similar independent roles in significant public matters.

• Recognition & Leadership

Dan has received national and international recognition for his trial work, including achieving international acclaim for his successful prosecution of Admiral John Poindexter in the Iran-Contra Affair. He was named Am Law’s “Litigator of the Week” for his successful prosecution of actor Jussie Smollett. As U.S. Attorney, he led the landmark “Operation Greylord” investigation into judicial corruption in Cook County, Illinois. His leadership roles and courtroom record have established him as one of the most sought-after litigators in the country.

• Professional Involvement

Throughout his career, Dan has concentrated his practice on major commercial litigation, civil and regulatory enforcement matters, antitrust disputes, securities litigation, defamation cases, and white collar criminal defense. He has represented multinational corporations in lengthy, high-stakes jury trials, many lasting two months or longer, and has led high-profile internal investigations, including the New York Stock Exchange investigation that culminated in the widely known “Webb Report.” His practice reflects decades
of experience handling matters at the intersection of business, government enforcement, and complex litigation.

• Experience

Dan has tried more than 100 jury cases and secured significant victories in some of the most consequential matters in modern litigation. He successfully defended General Electric against criminal price-fixing allegations, represented Microsoft in antitrust litigation, defended Philip Morris in major tobacco-related litigation, and obtained a $58 million patent verdict for Verizon. He led the defense of BPI in one of the largest defamation cases in U.S. history against ABC News, resulting in a settlement that vindicated the company. His experience also includes major securities class actions for Ernst & Young, Cisco Systems, and Scientific-Atlanta; antitrust victories for Pfizer (Wyeth), C.R. Bard, and Monsanto; and serving as lead trial counsel in the landmark Engle tobacco class action and other high-profile complex civil trials.

Richard E.N. Federico, Circuit Judge | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Rich Federico began his legal career serving as a Navy Officer in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). He served on active duty from 2002 to 2015, including tours of duty as a military prosecutor (Norfolk, Virginia), the senior Navy prosecutor for Europe and Southwest Asia (Naples, Italy; Bahrain), defense counsel for Guantanamo detainees charged with war crimes and being tried before military commissions (Washington, DC; Guantanamo Bay, Cuba), and as Officer in Charge of Navy defense offices (Jacksonville, Florida). During these assignments, he also served at sea and led investigation missions to Afghanistan and Korea.

• Education & Credentials

Judge Rich Federico is a United States Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, confirmed by the U.S. Senate and commissioned by President Biden in December 2023. He assumed office on December 14, 2023. Judge Federico earned an LL.M. with honors from Georgetown University Law Center, a J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law, and a B.A. from the Indiana University School of Journalism.

• Recognition & Leadership

Judge Federico served more than two decades in the U.S. Navy, retiring in July 2024 at the rank of Captain. During his distinguished military career in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, he held senior leadership roles, including senior Navy prosecutor for Europe and Southwest Asia and Officer in Charge of Navy defense offices. He also served as a military judge and appellate defense counsel in the Navy Reserves.

• Professional Involvement

Judge Federico’s legal career spans military prosecution, defense, and judicial service. On active duty from 2002 to 2015, he served as a military prosecutor, senior regional prosecutor overseas, defense counsel for Guantanamo detainees before military commissions, and leader of Navy defense offices. His assignments included service at sea and investigative missions to Afghanistan and Korea. After leaving active duty, he served as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in the District of Oregon and later in the District of Kansas, handling federal trials, habeas litigation, and appellate advocacy before the Ninth Circuit.

• Experience

Across military and civilian practice, Judge Federico has extensive courtroom and appellate experience. He prosecuted and defended complex cases under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, represented detainees charged with war crimes before military commissions, tried high-profile federal criminal cases in district court, litigated habeas corpus petitions, and argued appeals in the federal courts of appeals. His combined experience as prosecutor, defense counsel, military judge, and federal public defender informs his work on the federal appellate bench.

I. Relevant Law | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

A concise review of the statutory framework governing federal sentencing, including key provisions, §3553(a) factors, and the post-Booker advisory nature of the Guidelines.

II. United States Sentencing Commission Guidelines | 2:10pm – 2:20pm

An explanation of how the Sentencing Guidelines are calculated and applied, including offense levels, criminal history categories, departures, and variances.

III. Optimal Strategy and Presentation at Criminal Sentencing | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

Practical guidance on crafting persuasive sentencing arguments, presenting mitigating or aggravating factors effectively, and maintaining credibility before the court.

IV. Examples of “Do’s and Don’ts” and Case-Specific Examples | 2:40pm – 3:00pm

Real-world illustrations of effective and ineffective sentencing advocacy, highlighting common pitfalls and best practices drawn from actual federal cases.