About
Jeff Wertkin is Chief Compliance Officer at The Fortune Society, a New York nonprofit that supports people returning home from incarceration.
A former U.S. Department of Justice attorney who, following his own journey through the criminal justice system, rebuilt his career in compliance and reentry, he shared that story at the White Collar Conference.
At the White Collar Conference
Jeff Wertkin gave three takeaways on employment after prison: rebuilding is not a straight line, have patience, and find community. He described going from collecting rental scooters to warehouse manager to freelance litigation support, and how agreeing to tell his story on a panel led to his role as senior director of compliance at The Fortune Society.
“Reentry is not a ladder that you can climb rung by rung.”
Watch at 18:09
“So my counsel is have patience, right? It will come. It doesn't have to come all at once.”
Watch at 23:45
“Asking friends and family for help and accepting it where it's been offered.”
Watch at 24:43
Chapters
- 0:00 Jeff Grant introduces the panel
- 1:22 Jeffrey Abramowitz, from federal prison to the Petey Greene Program
- 7:00 Kaysia Earley on arrest, faith and becoming a criminal defense attorney
- 10:49 Kaysia Earley: tell your story and keep the faith
- 16:45 Jeff Wertkin on rebuilding a career after prison
- 18:55 Jeff Wertkin on a scooter job and freelance litigation support
- 22:00 Jeff Wertkin on patience and rejected job applications
- 24:18 Jeff Wertkin on finding community at The Fortune Society
- 27:25 Jeff Grant on living within your means
- 29:17 Jeff Grant on seminary, ministry and getting his law license back
With Jeff Grant (moderator), Jeffrey Abramowitz and Kaysia Earley
Join us in fall 2027.
The fourth annual White Collar Conference is planned for fall 2027, virtual on Zoom and open to all.