October 22, 2020
The firm was named “Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year” and honored for its role in the “Most Important Case of the Year.”
On October 22, Willkie was named “Most Impressive Investigations Practice of the Year” by Global Investigations Review at its annual awards event, which was held virtually this year. The event recognizes “the most outstanding firms, lawyers and cases from the past year” in the area of investigations.
Willkie’s team was recognized for working on many of the largest, most complex and closely watched matters across the United States, United Kingdom and Continental Europe. GIR highlights Willkie’s successful handling of a blockbuster UK fraud case, resulting in a ruling that was eagerly anticipated by the UK investigations bar for two years. The decision clarified how the directing mind and will test can be applied to prosecute a company. Willkie is also lauded for recently winning the acquittal of a Lebanese businessperson who Brooklyn federal prosecutors charged in connection to the Tuna Bonds embezzlement and bribery scandal in Mozambique, and for ushering a company to the US’s first corporate settlement concerning North Korea sanctions breaches.
In addition, Willkie was honored for its role in “The Most Important Court Case of the Year,” which recognizes the lead parties to a recent litigation that will have significant “consequences for future investigations for years to come.” Willkie is honored for successfully defending a major bank and former senior bank executives in one of the most ambitious cases in the UK Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) history. The long-running case, which concerned certain billion-dollar fundraising deals, ended with the acquittal of three former senior bank executives following a retrial.
Willkie’s international Compliance, Investigations & Enforcement practice is regularly sought to handle high-profile investigations, market leading enforcement actions and complex white collar cases across multiple jurisdictions. The majority of the partners in the group have significant prior government experience, including one who was the former White House sanctions advisor, two who held senior positions at the SEC, and six who served as federal U.S. prosecutors. In 2019, the group launched the Willkie Compliance Concourse app which offers legal and compliance teams free, on-demand access to comprehensive practical guides, real-time news and analysis, and CLEs covering a range of matters.
GIR is dedicated to analyzing the law and practice of international investigations. The service covers daily news on global enforcement actions and legal developments, alongside data, surveys and practical guides.
