Kelly A. Lenahan-Pfahlert is an accomplished litigator whose practice centers on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and anti-money laundering compliance. Kelly excels in crafting and implementing case strategies, conducting legal research and drafting comprehensive memoranda, preparing and taking depositions, and managing complex discovery and eDiscovery processes.
Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Kelly had nearly two decades experience helping organizations navigate securities regulation as they make strategic moves to reach their business goals.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented an Arizona-based producer, manufacturer, and retailer of cannabis products in responding to two civil investigative demands issued by the Arizona Attorney General in September 2023 and June 2024. Worked with the client to gather all information and documents responsive to the demands' requests, which Ballard then reviewed and finalized for production.
- Representation of a lease-to-own financing company and three affiliates in a broad-sweeping 16-count complaint brought by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General under Pennsylvania's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law and other consumer Pennsylvania statutes.
- Represented an international bank based in Puerto Rico in a complex review of the company's BSA/AML compliance and related independent testing and communicated in detail with the Fed regarding the bank's compliance and extending the closing process to account for the many practical and regulatory issues implicated by the same. Extended the wind-down process for many months, thereby saving the bank losses and potential liability to customers.
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Kelly has represented nongovernmental organizations in the research and drafting of stakeholder reports regarding human rights and death penalty issues in connection with Universal Periodic Reporting for the United Nations.
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Joel A. Pisano, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Publications
Kelly contributes to the firm's Money Laundering Watch blog.
Credentials
Education
Rutgers University School of Law (J.D.)
Duquesne University (B.A., magna cum laude)
Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania