Shearman & Sterling’s White Collar Defense & Global Investigations practice is composed of more than 100 partners and associates, including former government prosecutors and regulators who, collectively, have tried well over 100 jury trials. With more than a dozen attorneys that have previously served in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), our practice has firsthand knowledge of the way the government and other agencies operate and conduct investigations, which enables us to aid clients in achieving the best possible outcome. Financial institutions, companies and their executives seek our counsel in navigating complicated and highly sensitive investigations, due to our experience before major federal and state regulatory enforcement authority and in courtrooms nationwide.

We represent clients at all stages of high-stakes law enforcement and regulatory actions, including matters before the DOJ, SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Reserve Board (FRB), the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). We also have extensive experience counseling clients during their dealings with a range of law enforcement agencies and regulators in Europe (and Asia), including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and National Crime Agency (NCA) in the U.K.

Our areas of expertise include insider trading, securities fraud, criminal antitrust violations, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sanctions, accounting fraud and countless other more technical issues that can result in regulatory enforcement. We combine this substantive knowledge with investigative and tactical expertise to deal with the most delicate and complex situations financial institutions are facing.

The practice has yielded exceptional success in managing major investigations including, when necessary, in the courtroom. We have persuaded authorities to decline charges in many cases across a wide variety of industries, including financial services, technology, healthcare, industrials, among others. When charges are filed, we have been able to negotiate favorable resolutions that minimize financial and reputational impacts. And if an acceptable resolution is not possible we are more than ready to go to court, where we have prevailed in some of the most high-profile and significant matters in recent years, including the seminal U.S. v. Newman insider trading case in which our client was exonerated on all charges, and several rare acquittals in cases accusing business executives of price fixing. The quality of our practice has also been recognized by government regulators who have appointed our partners as independent monitors to conduct in-depth compliance reviews in dozens of countries, earning us a relationship of trust and credibility in the profession.

Recent White Collar Defense & Global Investigations Matters

• Independent Directors of Wells Fargo & Company | Counsel to, and conducted independent investigations for, the independent directors of Wells Fargo & Company with respect to retail banking and brokerage sales practices and related matters, including as the interface with the U.S. Congress, DOJ, SEC and other U.S. and state regulators.
• Gemini | Representing Gemini in connection with a CFTC investigation and enforcement action concerning representations relating to the listing of one of the first digital asset futures contracts.
• GlaxoSmithKline | Represented GlaxoSmithKline as lead investigations counsel in connection with the widely publicized criminal bribery investigation of GlaxoSmithKline in China. Assisted the company in reaching a comprehensive and historic resolution with the Chinese government.
• Danske Bank A/S | Represented Danske Bank in investigations by DOJ, the SEC, and Danish criminal authorities arising from its former Estonian branch, resulting in a USD 2 billion global settlement. This high-profile case, with media coverage of extensive money laundering activity, was resolved without money laundering charges.
• RELX Group | Representing RELX Group, the global publishing and information services conglomerate publicly traded in the U.S. and U.K., on compliance investigations around the world.
• UniCredit S.p.A. | Represented Italian banking conglomerate UniCredit S.p.A. in connection with a multi-year sanctions investigation and coordinated a $1.3 billion global settlement with multiple U.S. authorities, including obtaining from DOJ a declination to prosecute the parent entity.
• Rubycon | Representing one of the largest Japanese capacitor makers in DOJ cartel investigation and parallel civil class actions and direct-action lawsuits.
• Telecommunications Company | Representing one of the largest telecoms in the U.S. in managing all aspects of its response to inquiries from DOJ, SEC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI related to the telecom’s responses, over many years, to millions of requests for assistance from the government agencies in their sensitive criminal and national security investigations.
• Macy's | Conducted internal investigations relating to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Pakistan, Singapore and the U.S.
• Global Energy Company | Represented a global energy company in DOJ criminal and civil investigation and a KFTC investigation for alleged price fixing investigation of its non-operated foreign affiliate.

White Collar Defense & Global Investigations - Select Topics

• Major Global Banks | Representing major global banks in market-wide government investigations regarding U.S. treasuries, FX, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, ISDAfix, stock lending, silver trading, SSA bonds, European government bonds, Mexican government Bonds, GSE bonds, odd-lot bonds, VRDO/municipal bonds, ICE LIBOR, BBA LIBOR, CDOR and BBSW.
• SPACS | Counsel to multiple public companies, as well as banks and financial advisors, in separate SEC  investigations of individual SPAC transactions.
• Whistleblowers| Handled multiple internal investigations in response to internal whistleblower complaints, with an eye toward deciding whether company should self-  report to regulators and positioning clients for potential regulatory inquiries.
• Front-Running Investigations | CFTC investigation into potential market  manipulation and front-running by underwriters in connection with bond issuance accompanied byissuer swaps.
• ESG | Representing major financial institution in SEC investigation into ESG disclosures and advising numerous corporate clients in reviewing ESG  disclosures to mitigate risk of enforcement investigation.
• Monitorships | One of few firms to have been selected twice as independent FCPA compliance monitors by DOJ and SEC, involving, respectively, Baker Hughes and York International, in some of the largest and most complex monitorships.
• Insider Trading | Represented various individuals and entities in major insider trading trials and appeals, including Todd Newman in landmark insider trading litigation, which reshaped key aspects of insider trading. Counsel to numerous corporate clients in confidential insider trading investigations.
• Sanctions / AML | Representing U.S. and non-U.S. clients in investigations of possible non-compliance with U.S. sanctions and Bank Secrecy Act requirements, including assisting clients with voluntary self-disclosures to OFAC.

• Shearman & Sterling’s White Collar Practice Selected as Law360 Practice Group of the Year (2024)
  Shearman & Sterling’s White Collar Defense & Global Investigations practice has been recognized as one of five firms by Law360 as a “Practice Group of the Year” in the White Collar category. Winning practice groups are selected based on the breadth and significance of the matters highlighted and the complexity of the firm’s work during the past year.
  — Law360

• Shearman & Sterling Shortlisted by Global Investigations Review as “Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year” (2023)
  Shearman & Sterling shortlisted for “Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year” by Global Investigations Review. The nominees were selected based on extensive research on firms that have handled the largest and/or most complex investigations of the past 12 months and secured consistently good results for its clients.
  — Global Investigations Review
  
  
• Adam Hakki Named a “Litigator of the Year” by The American Lawyer (2021, 2023)
  Adam Hakki was named a “Litigator of the Year” by The American Lawyer. This prestigious recognition, which went to only eight lawyers in the United States, honors top litigators for their work on the highest-profile and precedent-setting matters of the year. Adam was recognized in both 2021 and 2023 for this recognition. 
  — The American Lawyer
  
  
• Katherine Stoller Nominated for “White Collar Crime Lawyer of the Year” in International Financial Law Review's Women in Business Law Awards (2023)
  Katherine Stoller was nominated for “White Collar Crime Lawyer of the Year” in International Financial Law Review's Women in Business Law Awards. The annual IFLR Women in Business Law awards showcase lawyers from across a spectrum of practice areas, jurisdictions and sectors are represented on the shortlist.
  — International Financial Law Review
  
  
• Philip Urofsky Receives “Outstanding Career Award” From Global Investigations Review
  Philip Urofsky received the “Outstanding Career Award” from Global Investigations Review. The awards celebrate the most impressive investigations practices and lawyers and the most noteworthy developments.
  — Global Investigations Review

• Shearman & Sterling Ranked by Global Investigations Review as Top Investigation Practice
  Shearman & Sterling was selected by Global Investigations Review, a guide to the world’s leading firms for handling sophisticated cross-border, government-led and internal investigations, as one of the world’s top investigation practices.
  — Global Investigations Review

• Shearman & Sterling Recognized by Chambers & Partners in White Collar & Government Investigations
  Shearman & Sterling has been named one of the top teams in the U.S. for White Collar & Government Investigations and FCPA by Chambers & Partners.
  — Chambers & Partners

• Stephen Fishbein, Katherine Stoller and Adam Schwartz Ranked by Chambers & Partners
  Stephen Fishbein, Katherine Stoller and Adam Schwartz have been recognized in the category Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations.
  — Chambers & Partners

• Stephen Fishbein Recognized by The Legal 500
  Partner Stephen Fishbein is ranked as a “Leading Lawyer” in White-Collar Criminal Defense.
  — The Legal 500 

• Katherine Stoller Recognized in ‘Rising Star’ List by the Euromoney Legal Media Group
  Partner Katherine Stoller has been named by the Euromoney Legal Media Group as a “Rising Star” in the white collar crime category.
  — Legal Media Group

• Litigation Practice Receives Top Ranking from Benchmark Litigation
  Shearman & Sterling’s Litigation practice was distinguished as “highly recommended,” the highest designation, while the team is highly ranked for white collar.
  — Benchmark Litigation

• Adam Hakki, Stephen Fishbein, John Nathanson, Agnès Dunogué, Christopher LaVigne, David Higbee, Grace Lee, Daniel Laguardia, Mark Lanpher, Djordje Petkoski, and Jeffrey Resetarits recognized by Benchmark Litigation
  Adam Hakki, Stephen Fishbein, John Nathanson and Jeffrey Resetarits were selected as a “National Practice Area Star”, Adam Hakki, Agnès Dunogué, Stephen Fishbein, David Higbee, John Nathanson, and Jeffrey Resetarits were selected as a local “Litigation Star.” Daniel Laguardia, Mark Lanpher, Christopher LaVigne, Grace Lee and Djordje Petkoski were also recognized by Benchmark as a “Future Star” or to the publications “40 & Under Hot List.”
  — Benchmark Litigation

• Paula Anderson Recognized in Crain’s ‘Notable Women in Law’ List
  Business publication Crain’s selected partner Paula Howell Anderson to its Notable Women in Law list. Crain’s described Paula as “a litigation expert with international flair,” and highlighted her experience with internal and government investigations, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act risk assessment and compliance reviews, cross-border litigation, shareholder class actions, antitrust litigation and international arbitration.
  — Crain’s

• Sara Raisner and Rachel Mossman Zieminski Recognized in Benchmark Litigation’s ‘40 and Under Hot List’
  Sara Raisner and Rachel Mossman Zieminski have been recognized by Benchmark Litigation in their eighth annual “40 & Under Hot List.” The feature honors the most notable up-and-coming litigation attorneys in the U.S. and is based on extensive research and feedback from peers and clients.
  — Benchmark Litigation

• Stephen Fishbein Recognized at FT North America Innovative Lawyers Awards
  Shearman & Sterling was named one of the 25 most innovative North American law firms and received the award for “Most Innovative North American Law Firm: Making a Difference” for challenging the definition of insider trading through its defense of Todd Newman, hedge fund trader, resulting in a landmark Second Circuit victory. Partner Stephen Fishbein, described as “brilliant and courageous,” was also recognized as one of the top ten most innovative lawyers in North America.
  — The Financial Times

• Dan Newcomb Receives “Outstanding Career Award” From Global Investigations Review
  Dan Newcomb received the “Outstanding Career Award” from Global Investigations Review. The awards celebrate the most impressive investigations practices and lawyers and the most noteworthy developments.
  — Global Investigations Review

• Shearman & Sterling Awarded “Matter of the Year” by Global Competition Review (2016)
  Shearman & Sterling received the “Matter of the Year Award” from Global Competition Review, the leading competition law and policy journal. The success follows the publication's inclusion of Shearman & Sterling in its list of "Global Elite" practices, naming the firm as one of the top 25 antitrust practices worldwide.
  — Global Competition Review

• Shearman & Sterling’s White Collar Practice Featured as Law360 Practice Group of the Year (2016)
  Shearman & Sterling’s White Collar practice was selected by Law360 as a White Collar Group of the Year. Described as a “go-to shop for financial institutions,” the group’s work on high-profile internal investigations and reputation as the “counsel of choice for heavyweight” financial institutions on numerous benchmarking class actions and investigations contributed to the group’s selection as a White Collar Group of the Year.
  — Law360

• Shearman & Sterling Receives American Lawyer Global Citizenship Lifetime Achievement Award
  The American Lawyer presented Shearman & Sterling with its highest honor, the Global Citizenship Award – Lifetime Achievement, at this year’s Global Legal Awards gala in New York City. The award, which hails as the most significant undertaking in global pro bono and social responsibility, recognizes the firm’s exceptional support of the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), which was established by the United Nations to prosecute persons responsible for committing genocide.
  — The American Lawyer

• Paula Anderson and Mark Lanpher Named to Global Investigations Review’s Inaugural ‘40 Under 40 List’
  Paula Anderson and Mark Lanpher were been named to Global Investigations Review’s inaugural ‘40 Under 40’ list of the world’s leading investigations lawyers under the age of 40. Lawyers were chosen for their superior technical skill, practical judgment and commitment to the law and practice of investigations.
  — Global Investigations Review

• Christopher LaVigne Selected as Law360 ‘Rising Star’
  Christopher LaVigne have been named a “Rising Star” by Law360 for White Collar. These awards recognize “attorneys under the age of 40 whose legal accomplishments belie their age,” according to Law360. LaVigne was one of five lawyers honored in white collar.
  — Law360