Our team includes enforcement attorneys on the ground in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the United States. We understand the primary and collateral consequences of investigations, whether it be pre-investigation prevention and mitigation, internal investigations or defense of a government investigation, or resolution through settlement or trial. Due to the deep and wide-ranging experience of Kirkland’s attorneys, we are particularly well-equipped to handle cross-border, multiregulator matters, including investigations with both civil and criminal components.
We have defended companies in numerous cross-border enforcement proceedings involving the DOJ, the SEC, UK Serious Fraud Office, the World Bank, and various government and quasi-government bodies throughout the world, including Latin America, EMEA, and APAC.
We have conducted hundreds of investigations, relating to a wide variety of issues, geographies, and industries. We can leverage additional resources as needed (for example, other specialists at Kirkland, local counsel, forensic accountants, IT vendors, etc.) to ensure we effectively manage the matter. Our experience spans large, complex, high-profile and highly sensitive internal investigations to smaller, more discrete investigations that maintain our client’s confidentiality.
Representative Matters
Lead counsel for U.S.-based multinational medical technology company in connection with an anti-corruption and international risk internal investigation regarding potential misconduct involving their operations in Portugal and Spain.
Representing individuals of a Canadian transportation technology company in connection with an SEC investigation into alleged fraud and bribery involving Chinese state owned entities. Ongoing.
Representing a private equity firm in an internal investigation into alleged corruption by executives at a telecommunications-sector portfolio company in Brazil, including conducting in-person interviews in São Paulo. Ongoing.
Successfully represented a large multi-national telecommunications company into investigations in the U.S. and Central America of alleged bribery and corruption. Case resolved by case being closed, without any charges or settlement payment.
Lead counsel for U.S.-based multinational medical technology company in connection with a World Bank investigation involving allegations of corruption and fraud in South Asia. Negotiated a successful resolution with a substantially reduced debarment term for the company, no charges for corruption and collusion, and limited ongoing cooperation obligations.
Representing one of the largest alternative investment firms in the world related to their Brazilian real estate SPEs in responding to a notice of inquiry from the Sao Paulo Public Prosecutor's office regarding a civil inquest into allegations that companies paid bribes to municipal tax inspectors in exchange for a reduction in service taxes. The inquest is a spin-off from a larger investigation into widespread bribery in the real estate development industry which has been ongoing since 2013 and involves dozens of companies and individuals. Ongoing.