PUBLISHED:February 22, 2023

ABA taps Duke Law Journal note by Michael Biondi ’23 for session on money laundering and asset forfeiture

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3L Michael Biondi says inclusion of his Building Trust(s) note is indicative of growing interest in asset forfeiture on global stage.

Michael Biondi linkedin

The American Bar Association (ABA) has selected a recent Duke Law Journal (DLJ) note by Michael Biondi ’23 – Building Trust(s): Rethinking Asset Return in Kleptocracy Forfeitures – to include with its course materials for a session at this year’s National Institute on White Collar Crime. 

Biondi said he received the request from the ABA last Wednesday. The organization asked to feature his note in a continuing legal education, or CLE, session entitled “Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture – Trends and Expectations.” 

“I think it speaks to the growing importance of asset forfeiture as a tool in the U.S. foreign policy toolbox. Especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, policymakers have turned with renewed attention to forfeiture as a way to counter kleptocracy and achieve other policy objectives,” Biondi said. 

He attributes his interest in anticorruption policy to his work as a policy adviser at the U.S. Department of State, prior to law school. There, Biondi was introduced to asset forfeiture as a means of combatting foreign public corruption. In "Building Trust(s),” he explores procedures for returning assets after these forfeitures; in particular, the diplomatic and administrative challenges that arise when returning assets to kleptocratic states. 

“It’s neat to think that practitioners will be engaging with my scholarship, and I’m grateful to all of the peers, professors, and DLJ editors who helped to prepare my Note for publication!,” Biondi said. 

The 38th annual National Institute on White Collar Crime, regarded as the leading American conference on white-collar practice, including the conduct of investigations by prosecutors and grand jury, and the handling of motions practice and trials, is being held by the ABA from March 1-3.