Jody Gilzene, MBA, LLM
Founder & Managing Attorney
Practice Areas:
+ Business & Regulatory Counsel
+ Investigations & White-Collar Defense
Direct Email: [email protected]
Main Phone: 214-896-6054
Direct Phone: 469-382-6088
Social Media: LinkedIn
Jody is a strategist for high-consequence legal environments.
With over 20 years of experience spanning federal prosecution, military service, and Fortune 500 global corporate counsel, grounded by her early career discipline as an NCAA Division I student-athlete, she provides a rare 360-degree perspective on business law, regulatory compliance, and white-collar defense.
The Advantage: A Multi-Lens Perspective
Jody’s practice is defined by her ability to anticipate risk before it manifests. Her counsel is informed by a career built at the highest levels of government and industry:
+ Federal Prosecution & Military Service: As a former Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney and Air Force JAG, Jody led complex investigations into financial fraud, money laundering, and corruption. She understands the tactical maneuvers of government agencies because she once directed them.
+ Global Enterprise Leadership: As a former Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Jody advised senior executives on global financial crimes and cross-border regulatory risk. She understands the operational realities of high-stakes legal issues and global institutions.
+ Investigative Roots: Her foundational experience as a criminal investigator for a government Economic Crimes Unit gives her a "ground-up" understanding of how cases are built, and how they can be dismantled.
Current Practice
Today, Jody serves as a strategic partner to companies, government agencies, and individuals navigating highly regulated sectors. Her practice focuses on:
+ Strategic Business & Regulatory Counsel: Serving as Outside General Counsel to strengthen operations and mitigate enterprise-wide risk.
+ Investigations & White-Collar Defense: Guiding clients through high-stakes internal reviews, regulatory inquiries, and complex criminal matters. She is a resolute advocate for those facing significant civil, reputational, and financial exposure.
Education & Credentials
+ Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Cornell University
+ Master of Laws (LLM), Securities & Financial Regulation | Georgetown University
+ Juris Doctor (JD) | Cooley Law School
+ Bachelor of Arts (BA), Criminal Justice | University of Illinois at Chicago (NCAA Division I Four-Year Scholarship Student-Athlete, Basketball)
Admissions
+ Bar Admissions: Texas; Michigan; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
Professional Honors & Memberships
+ Sustaining Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation | An invitation-only honor extended to 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys based on professional excellence and community commitment.
+ Member, Texas Bar College | An honorary society of legal scholars recognized for high ethical standards and commitment to advanced legal education.
+ Military Decorations: Recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, recognizing leadership, sustained excellence, and distinguished service in high-demand and combat environments.
Community Leadership & Service
+ Board Member, Library Advisory Board | Appointed by the Plano City Council to advise on policy, operations, and strategic improvements for the City’s library system.
+ Undergraduate Interviewer, Alumni Admissions Program | Georgetown University.
+ Career Readiness Coach, FourBlock | Mentoring veterans through high-impact military-to-civilian career transitions.
+ Pro Bono Attorney, The Veterans Consortium | Providing legal advocacy for U.S. military veterans.