Our People

Jenna
Burton

Managing Director

Europe, Middle East & Africa | London office

+44 (0)20 7079 5900

jburton@nardelloandco.com

Headshot of Jenna Burton

Jenna Burton has more than a decade of experience in business intelligence, investigations, and litigation/arbitration support, with a particular focus on the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Jenna specializes in complex global disputes and asset recovery, her work includes leading investigations in support of international arbitrations heard in ICSID, the ICC, UNCITRAL, the LCIA, and local tribunals, with individual claims ranging in value from millions to approximately $1.5 billion. Jenna has also led investigations and provided evidence for litigation in the US, UK, and other jurisdictions. This includes successful disclosure applications under §1782. She has also drafted statements and provided evidence submitted to OFAC, the NCA, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other government and multilateral authorities, both in support and in defense of allegations.

Jenna’s investigations have involved government corruption, bribery (including FCPA and UK Bribery Act), money laundering, terrorism financing, sanctions violations, embezzlement, and self-dealing. She has worked extensively on matters concerning Iraq and Kurdistan, as well as the energy and telecommunications sectors.

Jenna has conducted asset-tracing investigations spanning offshore jurisdictions, MENA, Africa, Europe, and the US, including against debtors undergoing restructuring or liquidation. She has extensive experience in recovery against sovereigns, identifying assets exempt from sovereign immunity and in enforcement-friendly jurisdictions.

Her fieldwork includes identifying witnesses and whistleblowers and conducting dozens of interviews in English and Arabic. She has also worked closely with communications teams in supporting clients’ PR strategies.

Clients quoted in Chambers and Partners say “Jenna delivers great human intelligence and she is very skilled in proceedings. Her input and intel is clear, structured and methodical in complex areas”. Another says “Jenna is incredibly dedicated. She goes the extra mile to understand the client and the case, and really adds value”, as well as her “work ethic and savvy are extremely impressive”.

Prior to Nardello & Co, Jenna worked at a London-based investigations firm specializing in global disputes. She previously worked for a business and market intelligence media organization where she focused on energy markets in EMEA. Her work included analytical reports as well as quantitative data analysis and LNG pricing. Jenna began her career at a New York City law firm where she supported the litigation and arbitration team.

Jenna has lived in Egypt, France, Italy, and New York, and has spent considerable time traveling and working in the Middle East.

Representative matters

  • Led a corruption investigation in support of an ICC arbitration concerning a multibillion-dollar infrastructure project in an emerging market. Tasked with identifying evidence of a corruption scheme that spanned decades and several jurisdictions, Jenna found indications of malfeasance by numerous individuals and developed proof of senior level government corruption.
  • Led an investigation of the head of a major government institution. Jenna gathered evidence that implicated the official in fraud, embezzlement, and illegal conflicts of interest, delivering the findings that underpinned her client’s claim.
  • Led an investigation on behalf of an asset management firm concerning a portfolio manager suspected of embezzlement. Her inquiry found the executive had limited, if any, professional history managing assets in the specialized sector in which his portfolio invested. Additionally, she found the individual had been accused of misconduct and misappropriation of assets in a prior role.
  • Led a financial investigation of individuals implicated in war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. After her global asset tracing exercise developed admissible evidence to support the allegations, she submitted her findings to law enforcement agencies. The evidence she gathered was used in legal proceedings, including criminal trials.

Languages spoken

  • English (Fluent)
  • Arabic (Advanced)
  • Italian (Advanced)

Education

  • MA, International Affairs, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
  • BA, Arabic Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
  • BS (Hons), International Business, RH Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park
  • Certificate, Terrorism Studies, US Department of Homeland Security START Consortium

Professional affiliations

  • Female Fraud Forum

Recognition & awards

  • GIR's Women in Investigations 2025
  • Arabic Language Flagship Award, US Department of State (2008)
  • Chambers and Partners 2025-2026 Litigation Support Guide: Band 3

Publications

  • Article: Moscow Rules: Asset Tracing Investigations During Wartime in Ukraine, with Nicholas Peck, Richard Bowles, Daria Plakhova-Freshville, and Warren Feldman (Global Investigations Review, 2023)