Former university counsel and vice president of strategy and department of justice prosecutor Jenelle Beavers has been appointed as a managing director in the disputes and investigations (DI) practice at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M). Beavers adds higher education sector experience to A&M’s investigations and compliance offering and highlights A&M’s strategic expansion plan to help clients navigate current and anticipated challenges.
Beavers specializes in investigating alleged fraud, false claims and conflicts of interest and in advising clients on compliance and strategic preventive management in regulated industries. With more than a decade and a half of litigation and investigation experience, Beavers advises clients on legal, governance and strategic aspects of federal and state investigations across a range of industries.
“Jenelle’s hire spotlights the steady growth of our investigations and compliance capabilities, developed to deliver transformative value for clients,” Jerry Dent, managing director and North America practice leader of A&M’s disputes and investigations group, said. “As clients navigate complex regulatory environments and rising compliance costs, having the counsel of former regulators and law enforcement professionals is invaluable. Jenelle exemplifies A&M’s results-oriented approach and shares our commitment to driving change.”
Before joining A&M, Beavers served with the civil frauds section of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she led large and complex investigation and litigation teams comprised of agents from the departments of health and human services, education, energy, defense, treasury, interior and homeland security. These teams included interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary experts and law enforcement personnel.
During her more than decade-and-a-half career, Beavers has tackled a broad range of assignments including serving as vice president for strategy at a large, public research institution, where she developed and executed internal and external policy priorities; led a comprehensive strategic planning process; and coordinated identification, analysis and management of institutional risks.
Before that she advised a four-campus university system and major healthcare services organization, providing legal advice regarding Title VII, Title IX, federal, state and local employment laws, constitutional claims and internal grievances, government investigations, litigation, public sector union labor relations, trusts and donor relations, federal regulatory compliance and the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
“Jenelle’s background aligns with A&M’s heritage of operational excellence and mission of solving clients’ complex problems,” Steve Spiegelhalter, managing director and North American investigations practice leader at A&M, said. “Her knowledge of DOJ and ability to translate its inner workings, against the backdrop of an increasingly complex regulatory environment, provides tangible benefits to our clients.”
“Higher education institutions, reeling from the combined pressures of the pandemic and economic dislocations, face unprecedented challenges and opportunities,” Erin Covington, managing director and education practice leader at A&M, said. “Jenelle’s background enhances and deepens our performance improvement focus across the education ecosystem.”
