Kurt is an experienced white collar litigator and former federal prosecutor who defends companies and individuals in the context of government or internal investigations, enforcement actions, and civil or criminal trials.
Kurt served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida (SDFL) for 13 years, leading a wide range of high-profile investigations. He first chaired or supervised nearly 30 trials to verdict, including prosecution of international drug trafficking, money laundering, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations, alien smuggling, maritime crimes, environmental crimes, health care fraud, kickback schemes, and financial fraud.
Widely respected in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kurt received numerous recognitions and was promoted to several leadership posts, most recently deputy chief in the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section and, prior to that, deputy chief in the Major Crimes Section. Kurt also worked in private practice for six years as a white collar criminal defense attorney in New York City and Philadelphia before going into government.
In his current practice, Kurt defends clients who are witnesses, subjects, or targets of government inquiries and investigations, leads internal and whistleblower claim investigations, and partners with corporate clients to audit and enhance compliance with federal and state laws. He also advises on the FCPA and other U.S. legislation and policy relating to anti-corruption enforcement and compliance. Kurt represents individuals and sophisticated business organizations in government and internal investigations involving allegations of overseas corruption, financial fraud, and money laundering. He also uses the lessons learned from his prosecutorial experience to help clients develop and update effective compliance programs and Know-Your-Customer policies and respond to violations when they arise in a strategic and effective manner.
Kurt earned his A.B. from Princeton University in 1999 and his J.D., cum laude, from Duke University School of Law in 2003, where he was an editor for the Alaska Law Review. Kurt completed a clerkship with the Honorable Richard J. Leon in the District Court for the District of Columbia.
A former NCAA Division I athlete, Kurt was captain of Princeton University’s lacrosse team, winning three national championships and co-captaining the 1996 World Champion U.S. Under-19 team. He is still deeply involved in the lacrosse community, serving as a member of the disciplinary committee of the professional Premier Lacrosse League and as a volunteer high school lacrosse coach.