Frances McLeod

Investigations

Monitorships

Disputes

Advisory

Data & Technology

Audit and Accounting Advisory

Fraud

Bribery and Corruption

Anti-Money Laundering and Sanctions

Cryptocurrency

Head of FRA’s US offices, Frances McLeod has 30 years’ global experience with high-profile investigations, compliance monitorships and expert testimony. Among a select few to be appointed multiple times by the US DOJ as independent compliance monitor, she is trusted by global clients across complex industries. A “highly respected expert” (Lexology Index), she is known for her creativity, pragmatism, and ability to navigate high-stakes regulatory challenges.

Selected matters include:

Binance: Appointed by the US DOJ to serve as an independent compliance monitor to the global digital asset exchange, assessing the company’s compliance with AML and US sanctions laws.

Balfour Beatty: Serving as the DOJ-appointed independent compliance monitor for the global real estate company, evaluating the implementation and enforcement of its corporate compliance program and adherence to anti-fraud laws.

FCA US LLC: Acting as the court-appointed independent compliance monitor for a large American automobile manufacturer following its settlement with the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, assessing internal controls and adherence to federal labor laws.

IAV GMBH: Served as the independent compliance monitor for a monitorship imposed on IAV by the DOJ in connection with “Dieselgate” and the conspiracy to defraud a US agency in connection with environmental regulations.

Global Mining Group: Supporting the Independent Consultant appointment by the SEC to review the company's risk management processes and internal controls as they relate to the impairment process, company’s disclosure, and reporting obligations.

Asia Pacific Group: Led the team providing technical advice to the Asia Pacific Group on money laundering under a mandate from the Asian Development Bank.

Alstom: Led the FRA team responding to anti-corruption investigation data requests in all jurisdictions for Alstom in the US, the UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Poland, Sweden, etc., which included addressing French data privacy and Blocking Statute issues.

Medical Device Company: Supported an international medical devices company that entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with regulators over compliance failures related to FCPA violations.

Holocaust Settlements: Designed and implemented claim evaluation and administration systems for the USD 1.3b Swiss Bank and USD 2.5b German Slave Labor Holocaust settlements.

2024-2026 Global Elite Thought Leader - Consulting Experts – Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2026

2024-2026 Thought Leader - GIR - Investigations Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2026

2023-2026 Thought Leader - USA - Investigations Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2026

2023-2024 Thought Leader - USA - Experts - Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2023

2022-2023 Global Leader - Consulting Experts - Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2022

2021-2022 Global Leader - Investigations Forensic Accountants

Lexology Index

2021

2021 Top FCPA Practitioners

Global Investigations Review

2021

2018 Women in Investigations

Global Investigations Review

2018