LAWYER PROFILE
Ruti Smithline

Ruti Smithline

Global 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Morrison Foerster

Practice Areas

FCPA; Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations

Career

Ruti Smithline is co-chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Investigations + White Collar Defense group and co-chair of the firm’s Latin America Desk. She is also a member of the firm’s FCPA + Global Anti-Corruption group. Her practice focuses on complex litigation, with an emphasis on white collar criminal defense, SEC enforcement, securities litigation, and corporate internal investigations.

She regularly advises clients on cross-border investigations, global compliance programs and anti-corruption due diligence for acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity transactions. Ruti has represented individual and corporate defendants in cross-border criminal investigations, SEC enforcement matters, and other regulatory proceedings, including matters related to trade sanctions and anti-money laundering. She has experience conducting corporate internal investigations both domestically and internationally, often advising clients on remedial measures responsive to the issues investigated.

Ruti was born and raised in Colombia and is fluent in Spanish. She has conducted investigations, seminars and anti-corruption training in Spanish throughout Central and South America.

Personal

J.D., The George Washington University Law School; B.A., Cornell University

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Corporate Crime & Investigations - Latin America - International Counsel

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Ruti Smithline is co-chair of Morrison & Foerster's Latin America Desk. She benefits from her solid knowledge and extensive experience in the Latin American corporate crime and investigations space, including both internal and external investigations.

FCPA - USA

Band 5
Band 5

Individual Editorial
Ruti Smithline is cochair of Morrison Foerster's Latin America Desk where she is noted for her significant experience leading both internal and external investigations for clients with operations in Latin America.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Ruti Smithline is fantastic; I come across her often and have great respect for her. I hold her in high regard.

    Corporate Crime & InvestigationsChambers Global Guide
  • Ruti is very knowledgeable.

    FCPAChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Morrison Foerster (91)

Belgium

China

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    Tim Blakely

    Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Chen Zhu
    Chen Zhu

    Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Marcia Ellis
    Marcia Ellis

    Corporate/M&A: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Tim Blakely
    Tim Blakely

    Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Marcia Ellis
    Marcia Ellis

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Xiaoxi Lin
    Xiaoxi Lin

    Private Equity: Buyouts & Venture Capital Investment (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Gordon Milner
    Gordon Milner

    Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Chuan Sun
    Chuan Sun

    Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Paul D McKenzie
    Paul D McKenzie

    TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Gordon Milner
    Gordon Milner

    TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

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  • Profile image of Chuan Sun
    Chuan Sun

    TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

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Germany

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