Investigations & Enforcement (International & Cross-Border) | Global

The law firm's offices across the USA play a significant role in international work. Washington DC hosts the largest proportion of the firm's resources and acts as a key hub for the firm's global practice, particularly in relation to investigations, international trade and compliance. Its highly regarded investigations and white-collar crime team is widely recognised for its expertise. Reinforced by a New York team with a growing reputation, the firm advises established multinational corporations, pharma companies and high-profile individuals on global investigations and cross-border enforcement proceedings. Also noted for its involvement in controversial 'Me Too' cases.

Debevoise & Plimpton offers an exceptional multidisciplinary and international practice with notable capabilities in the global contentious space. Renowned for handling complex multi-jurisdictional disputes, it also holds an impressive track record for coordinating cross-border transactions. The New York office, often regarded as the central hub of the law firm’s international operations, is known to coordinate highly complex international work and regularly co-counsels with colleagues in the UK, Asia and Europe.

The law firm has a market-leading corporate crime team which is widely recognised for globally coordinating multi-jurisdictional and high-profile anti-corruption investigations. It is also highly regarded for its cross-border FCPA work and advice on global compliance programmes. Additionally highlighted for a pioneering focus on 'Me Too' cases. The firm has nine offices, spanning three continents, with a focus on the financial sectors such as New York, London and Hong Kong. The New York office plays a pivotal role in spearheading the international strategy of the firm, boasting a formidable bench of investigators. For key markets beyond its office coverage - notably Switzerland and Brazil - the firm engages with local counsel, enjoying strong relationships with a selection of acclaimed independent firm

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is an international firm with strong US foundations. Its offices across Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York play vital coordinating roles in multi-jurisdictional proceedings, supported by strategically located teams in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Clients also benefit from Gibson Dunn’s sharp sector focus; its practitioners are accustomed to advising tech giants and energy multinationals on complex global mandates.

The law firm has a pre-eminent investigations offering, spearheaded by leading practices in D.C. and California, bolstered by a strong New York team. Renowned for its peerless FCPA expertise and skill, the firm's dedicated specialists frequently deal with US agencies, such as the DOJ and SEC, as well as facing an array of regulators across the globe, with numerous members of the team offering cultural knowledge and multilingual capabilities. Frequently acts as global coordinator in multi-jurisdictional investigations, facilitated by effective cross-office collaboration, including particularly established outposts in Hong Kong and Singapore. For jurisdictions where the law firm is without an on-the-ground presence, it readily coordinates with local counsel.

Latham & Watkins is recognised as an excellent option for clients who require counsel on highly complex and multifaceted cross-border matters. The law firm provides an impressive, well-integrated team across its global offices and is praised for consistently excelling across multiple practice areas and sectors, while delivering an internationally oriented approach and comprehensive global support. The law firm has an unsurpassed global strength, and its effective coordination across its international network is key to its appeal among high-profile multinational corporations, banks and investment funds.

With its vast global footprint, Latham & Watkins is well equipped to manage multi-jurisdictional investigations as global coordinating counsel. The US team represents multinational financial institutions, large tech companies and high-profile individuals in enforcement actions brought by US agencies, as well as regulators across the globe. The cross-border practice is constituted by strong teams in California, Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago, along with an active presence in London and continental Europe. 

WilmerHale is a globally-renowned law firm with a substantial focus on contentious issues and particularly adept at cross-border investigations and regulatory matters, with a strong offering across both sides of the Atlantic. The firm also boasts a highly-acclaimed international arbitration practice. Operating across 13 office locations, which include established practices in London, New York, Washington, D.C. and the USA's West Coast, the firm's global platform is concentrated in major financial centres with a strong international outlook. For multi-jurisdictional work which extends beyond the firm's own office coverage, it engages with trusted local counsel, often selected from WilmerHale's own shortlist, to provide a bespoke and flexible team for each client. 

The law firm's US practice includes a strong D.C. team, in addition to notable offerings in New York and California specialising in global investigations and high-stakes crisis management. This includes multi-year cartel investigations and cases concerning money laundering and fraud. Additionally, the team is experienced in FCPA matters, boasting a client base that consists of an assortment of international financial institutions. The practice often utilises its transatlantic strength for the benefit of its clients, teaming up with a strong investigations and white-collar team in London. It also works in close collaboration with its prominent international arbitration practice to leverage knowledge and expertise across the world. 

New York-headquartered Davis Polk has high-end capabilities across transactional, regulatory and contentious areas. It is set up to serve global clients and project-manage matters from key financial centres, including London, Paris, Beijing and Hong Kong, and collaborates with selected partner firms in other jurisdictions for local law aspects. Primarily serving large US and international investment banks, financial institutions and corporates, the firm has extensive experience handling sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional M&A, financing and capital markets offerings, as well as running international investigations and disputes, including global antitrust files.

The law firm's US-based contentious practice, divided between New York and Washington, D.C., is known for conducting high-stakes investigations and FCPA cases involving the DOJ and the SEC, with an active presence in the cross-border space. The team's approach to multi-jurisdictional matters is characterised by its effective cross-office collaboration, as well as strong partnerships with international co-counsel. It is particularly noted for its investigations expertise in Asia and regularly advises on enforcement actions before Hong Kong regulators. 

Sidley Austin is frequently sought out by international clients for its global sector expertise, with the firm's focus built around strong relationships with clients in financial service, energy, life sciences and biotechnology. While the firm's US base remains the key central hub of its global operations, Sidley Austin also attracts ample praise for its ability to join up experts across its platform throughout Europe and Asia, with offices in London, Singapore and China among others also playing a vital role in the firm's international appeal. The firm has an impressive ability to handle global transactions, disputes and investigations, enabling it to provide a comprehensive service on sophisticated matters for clients in its key industry groups.

The law firm's Washington, D.C. office acts as the primary location for its notable investigations and enforcement team and is routinely involved in international investigations in relation to the FCPA and other anti-corruption matters. Additionally highlighted for its regulatory expertise across a range of sectors including life sciences and healthcare. Its clientele includes global financial institutions and large corporations. Regularly manages cross-border investigations concerning Asian, African and Latin American jurisdictions.

 Skadden has a premium global practice which has built widespread coverage and expertise across regions and areas of law on the foundation of its longstanding, market-leading reputation for US law advice. The firm has strength in depth across UK and European teams in transactional and contentious areas which make the firm a leading choice for sophisticated transatlantic matters. It has an excellent presence in key Asian markets, plus a São Paulo office which also boosts the firm’s global offering. The firm is a dominant force on international M&A, finance and energy transactions. It also regularly navigates clients through cross-border disputes, investigations and arbitration as coordinating counsel.

The law firm's investigations practice is highly capable of coordinating all global aspects of multi-jurisdictional investigations and cross-border enforcement matters. Its US practice is typically highlighted for its expertise in the financial sector and frequently represents global banks in cases concerning corruption and securities fraud. In addition to a strong New York team and a notable offering in Washington, D.C., the law firm's cross-border capability is further fuelled by its broad international office coverage.

Sullivan & Cromwell has developed a stellar reputation as an international law firm, combining a leading US law practice headquartered in New York with top-end expertise throughout its offices across Asia-Pacific and European financial centres. The firm provides broad international capabilities on substantial transactions and high-value contentious cases, appealing to a broad range of international companies and banks based both within and outside the USA.

The law firm's globally integrated investigations and white-collar crime team operates with the New York office at its heart. It is renowned for its focus on the financial sector and has a strong track record of representing banks in a variety of disputes and investigations arising from the 2008 crisis. The law firm is noted for its capacity to handle cross-border cases, including large class action claims, with the aid of teams overseas such as those in Hong Kong, London, Paris, Frankfurt and a recently established practice in Brussels. For jurisdictions outside the firm's office coverage, the team coordinates impressively with local counsel, typically drawn from its pool of relationship firms across the globe. 

Long-term, concerted international expansion from Cleary Gottlieb's US base has enabled the firm to become one of the most globally-recognised brands in numerous areas of international law. The firm's broad office network incorporates established teams stationed across key financial and political centres in the USA, Europe, South-East Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Kirkland & Ellis is frequently recognised as a global powerhouse supporting multinational clients in a wide range of practice areas. Its rapid expansion has seen it increase in prominence in European and Asian jurisdictions, including China, Germany and the UK. The firm continues to handle some of the most complex and sophisticated cross-border transactions and contentious proceedings, and has been particularly successful in building a strong global brand around the law firm's impressive work in the private equity sector.

Spearheaded by a market-leading Chicago practice, with additional presence in Washington, D.C., the firm boasts expertise in cross-border investigations and criminal proceedings. Kirkland & Ellis also offers a dedicated FCPA practice and is additionally adept at securities matters. The team comprises ex-DOJ and SEC officials, well equipped to represent multinational corporations and global financial institutions before US agencies, as well as regulators across the world. Beyond its offices in Asia, Europe, and North America, the law firm is part of a global network of legal professionals, to facilitate an effective cross-border service for multi-jurisdictional investigations and enforcement proceedings. 

Miller & Chevalier is a single-office law firm based in Washington, D.C. exclusively specialised in cross-border investigations and FCPA work with global implications. The team, which has around 100 highly-specialised lawyers, comprises individuals boasting considerable expertise in compliance and well equipped to deal with the various regulators, domestically and internationally. 

For multi-jurisdictional investigations, the law firm utilises close partnerships with local counsel to expand its reach and influence across the globe, often opting to collaborate with highly rated individual investigators. To further facilitate the practice's international approach and cross-border coordination, it houses an array of lawyers with multiple language capabilities.

Paul Hastings has a highly respected corporate offering with an excellent reputation for its cross-office collaboration and strong global network. The team stands out for its work on complex cross-border cases, frequently directing negotiations and advising clients in relation to deals in key foreign markets, particularly in Europe, Africa and Asia jurisdictions. Clients praise the firm's deep bench consisting of highly qualified and capable lawyers, with the commercial awareness and legal expertise to successfully achieve transactional goals. The firm is regularly sought after by US and overseas investors for its international appeal, ability to collaborate seamlessly with local counsel and provide timely legal support worldwide.

The law firm's notable white-collar team primarily operates out of Washington, D.C. and regularly represents global financial institutions and large corporations in FCPA investigations. It is also highlighted for its international sanctions practice. The team demonstrates cross-border capacity, frequently coordinating multi-jurisdictional cases involving countries in Latin America, Asia and Europe.

New York-headquartered Paul, Weiss has a strong corporate identity and culture, offering high-end M&A capabilities. The firm's typical clients include financial institutions, multinational companies and large private equity houses and asset managers. For global work anchored in the USA or with US aspects, the firm is a strong choice for transactional work such as M&A, financing and private equity investments. The firm's own offices connect its US base with presence in Europe and Asia and it is also known to collaborate effectively with high-end firms in other jurisdictions.

The New York practice has a formidable reputation in internal investigations and cross-border enforcement. Renowned for representing large international banks in white-collar and securities litigation, the team is recognised for its ability to handle global matters, aided by its partnering with highly rated co-counsel overseas. The law firm's impressive team, which includes ex-DOJ officials with specific FCPA expertise, is well equipped to face up against US agencies, as well as regulators around the globe.

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has impressive global coverage including 11 offices across the USA and seven located throughout the world in key jurisdictions in Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe. The firm supports multinational clients by utilising this global network to coordinate cross-border transactions and investigations as well as drawing on carefully selected local counsel from jurisdictions outside of its network.

The law firm's corporate crime practice is driven by a highly rated New York team, which represents multinational corporations, global financial institutions and individuals in internal investigations, as well as white-collar issues concerning money laundering and insider trading. It is also noted for its experience in Congressional investigations. The practice is bolstered by an impressive Washington, D.C. offering focusing on investigations, in addition to various FCPA matters, often with significant cross-border aspects. 

A distinguished full-service law firm, Freshfields is recognised for its international mindset and its ability to lead cross-border work from its London centre. The law firm has outstanding international capabilities and can utilise widespread offices in its top-tier, integrated network, which incorporates highly rated teams across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa. Equally, the firm has established the 'Stronger Together' group of local firms, serving clients' needs in jurisdictions where collaboration with co-counsel is required.

An increasingly prominent presence in the investigations and enforcements sector, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer houses an impressive white-collar practice with global scope. The law firm is well suited for complex cross-border matters, regularly acting on behalf of large international corporations in high-profile corporate investigations. It is renowned for its expertise in conducting internal probes into allegations of tax crime, and representing financial institutions before the DOJ. Its clients benefit from the law firm's extensive resources and ability to navigate multiple jurisdictions.

Hogan Lovells is an internationally-oriented law firm which combines a well-established presence in the USA with an impressive network of offices in other key jurisdictions throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. The firm's US presence remains an important contributor to its worldwide success and provides a strong transatlantic platform through frequent collaboration with the firm’s London office.

The firm's international practice is predominantly driven by its notable Washington, D.C. team, which is well versed in multi-jurisdictional investigations for large corporations, with particular strength in the healthcare sector. It also houses a well-regarded international sanctions practice. The firm utilises its extensive global office coverage when coordinating cross-border work, offering local expertise in a wide range of jurisdictions. 

 Jones Day’s US offices are often referenced as the central pillar of its global operations and offer excellent cross-border capabilities to US-headquartered multinationals and international clients. Teams across the law firm's US offices are relied upon to coordinate complex cross-border mandates and utilise the firm's broad global presence across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific to give clients a practical advantage when dealing with international issues. The US practice represents the firm's largest concentration of resources and its most in-depth hub of expertise worldwide, covering a full-service range of practice areas and having lawyers with international experience across its platform.

Spearheaded by an impressive team in Washington, D.C., the law firm acts for both corporations and individuals on cross-border investigations and is adept at FCPA matters, domestically and overseas. It houses an impressive roster of lawyers including ex-prosecutors primed to face US governmental agencies. The law firm is able to draw upon its own local experts in many jurisdictions and is well equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional investigations and international fraud cases. It is particularly noted for its fruitful cross-office collaboration with the Dubai, Tokyo, Sydney and Brazil teams.

Kobre & Kim is a specialised white-collar crime boutique garnering increased international recognition for its cross-border enforcement and criminal defense work. The law firm regularly acts as co-counsel in multi-jurisdictional investigations and litigation concerning corporate fraud and money laundering. It also acts as lead global coordinator, advising clients on regulatory defense strategy and enforcement actions, and is particularly adept in proceedings involving offshore jurisdictions. 

The team consists of investigators who are well equipped to deal with US agencies, such as the SEC and the CFTC, as well as a whole host of regulators across the globe. The law firm's lawyers are primarily stationed in Miami, New York and Washington, D.C.; however, the firm also has an impressive global footprint, with additional offices in Asia, Europe and offshore jurisdictions, such as the BVI and the Cayman Islands. The group boasts an increasingly prominent Latin America practice, characterised by leading asset recovery expertise in Brazil and an active presence in Argentina. 

Morrison Foerster particularly stands out in the market for its grasp of cross-border work between the US and Asian markets, which is driven by the firm's longstanding investment into its technology sector expertise. The firm is an appealing choice for large corporations and established players invested in areas such as electronics and biopharma and has a particularly strong track record in handling inbound and outbound transactions involving the USA, Japan and China, frequently representing clients on both sides of the Pacific.

An increasingly prominent player in the FCPA space, Morrison Foerster advises on complex anti-corruption investigations and high-profile monitorships brought by the US and international governments. The law firm has a strong focus on the technology sector and is notably active in the Asia-Pacific region.

Quinn Emanuel is an esteemed US law firm with an exclusive focus on contentious work and a fast-developing profile across the globe. It seeks to provide a globally integrated service for its clients, building upon its strong New York and Washington, D.C. base. The law firm's increasingly global outlook is characterised by its rapid international expansion, and its practice has grown to a size requiring multiple offices around the world, including teams in London, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Brussels and Sydney. In addition to its impressive office coverage, the firm regularly collaborates with carefully selected local counsel in other jurisdictions to maintain an effective cross-office service in locations not covered within its own office network. 

The law firm's impressive Washington, D.C. practice is led by a group of highly rated white-collar crime lawyers and also acts as chief coordinating office for the firm's international work in the area. The team regularly handles multi-jurisdictional investigations, in addition to sensitive white-collar crime proceedings, representing high-profile individuals and globally recognised corporations. Frequently collaborates with local counsel in key non-US jurisdictions, such as Brazil and Mexico. 

Ropes & Gray provides an integrated international offering with a strong global focus on financial services, life sciences and pharmaceuticals. The law firm's US offices act as its primary driving force for international work, with Boston and New York frequently leading cross-border work, typically coordinating global transactions for major private equity funds and corporations. Key areas of geographic strength include Asian markets, and Ropes & Gray is often considered a popular choice by US and Asian clients for investments from the USA into China and Japan, where the firm can also offer locally based US law-qualified experts. The US team also works in a seamless manner with the firm's London office, particularly for the funds and corporate side of the practice. 

The law firm boasts an impressively broad investigations and enforcement offering, headlined by a leading practice in Boston and supplemented by notable teams in New York, Washington, D.C. and Chicago. The group is widely recognised for its focus on the healthcare sector, frequently handling investigations on behalf of pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers concerning fraud and violations of the FCA. In addition to its demonstrable expertise in multi-jurisdictional FCPA investigations, Ropes & Gray is well versed in non-US anti-corruption matters.

A&O Shearman is well equipped to handle cross-border M&A, financing and project development matters on a truly global scale. Its integrated practice across offices in North and Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East combines to efficiently perform as lead counsel on multi-jurisdictional matters. It maintains relationships with an extensive variety of firms for the provision of local law advice outside the USA and Europe.

A&O Shearman is recognised for its international investigations and enforcement practice, offering deep expertise in navigating complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. The firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, and senior executives on high-stakes regulatory and criminal investigations, often involving simultaneous scrutiny from authorities across the US, UK, EU, and Asia-Pacific. The firm is also noted for its ability to manage sensitive cross-border issues involving anti-corruption, sanctions, money laundering, securities fraud, cyber incidents, and ESG-related misconduct. Clients benefit from the firm’s global reach and coordinated approach, with lawyers on the ground in key jurisdictions.

Highly rated for its international work across a broad range of regulated industries, Arnold & Porter frequently acts as global counsel to a host of leading multinational companies in the life sciences sector. The law firm is particularly highlighted for its high-end expertise in regulatory issues and product liability cases, coordinating advice on the global development and distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices across the USA, the EU and Asia. 

The law firm has a well-regarded investigations offering, driven by a strong D.C. practice, alongside a solid white-collar team in New York. Arnold & Porter is reputed for its expertise in fraud investigations, most notably in the healthcare sector. Its practice also encompasses alleged violations of the FCPA, FCA and securities laws. In addition to representing clients before the DOJ and SEC, the team is experienced in dealing with non-US regulatory bodies. The law firm's global profile facilitates its handing of complex cross-border matters. 

Baker McKenzie offers one of the most expansive and established international footprints in the legal industry, and its global reach is frequently referenced by multinational clients as one of its primary assets. The New York office acts as an important hub of lawyers with international experience and expertise across multiple areas, offering a full-service scope. The law firm enjoys an excellent reputation for its international and cross-border capabilities and is often praised for the smooth execution and collaboration clients experience across the firm's network. 

For corporate investigations, the law firm has a large, globally integrated practice with a particularly coordinated offering between its London, New York and Chicago teams to provide an effective cross-border service to its clients. It offers experience in internal investigations related to FCPA matters and is able to draw upon the local expertise of a wide array of countries, due to its impressively vast global network.  

Cravath, Swaine & Moore is highlighted as an elite-level example of an independent, lockstep firm with significant global influence. Its approach towards international work revolves around maintaining a high-quality partner-led practice in New York which collaborates effectively with other elite independent firms based overseas to advise on cross-border matters. The firm's work is driven predominantly from its New York base, where the bulk of its expertise and resources are situated. It also has a long-established London office which provides clients with a European centre of gravity and a high-performing capital markets group.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore is recognised for its impressive investigations and enforcement practice, particularly in matters involving complex international and cross-border dimensions. The firm advises major global corporations, boards, and executives on internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, and enforcement actions brought by U.S. and foreign authorities. The team has further expertise in cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, sanctions, securities fraud, and financial misconduct, often coordinating responses across multiple jurisdictions.

Dechert's extensive international footprint enables it to handle major complex matters concerning multiple jurisdictions. With a significant focus on the financial sector, private equity and life sciences industries, the firm is able to provide clients with assistance on a myriad of mandates, including fund formation, transactions and disputes from key offices across the major markets in the USA, Europe and Asia. To complement its significant global reach, the firm also frequently collaborates with co-counsel from other jurisdictions to provide a complete service.

Dechert LLP is widely recognised for its strength in managing complex, high-stakes international investigations and enforcement matters. The firm’s white collar and regulatory team is frequently sought out by multinational corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms for its ability to navigate multi-jurisdictional investigations involving the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and other federal and state agencies.

King & Spalding has expanded from its US base to offer on-the-ground expertise in transactions, project development and disputes to a global clientele. It is well established in the global energy sector, with complementary expertise in international arbitration. It delivers high-quality international support to clients via a network of offices and affiliated firms that spans the USA, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

King & Spalding is highly regarded for its global investigations and enforcement practice, with deep experience handling complex, multi-jurisdictional matters across all continents. The firm is a go-to advisor for multinational corporations, boards, and senior executives facing cross-border regulatory scrutiny, internal investigations, and enforcement actions. The team is particularly noted for its work in anti-corruption securities enforcement, sanctions, AML, and congressional investigations, with sector strengths in life sciences, energy, financial services, and technology.

As a top-tier New York practice, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is regularly sought out by major private equity firms and global corporations as a go-to firm for advice on international transactional mandates. Primarily handling high-end corporate/M&A deals as well as sophisticated fund formation, financing and cross-border tax matters.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is recognised for its handling of international investigations and enforcement matters, particularly those involving complex cross-border regulatory scrutiny. The firm advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, and private equity firms on internal investigations, government inquiries, and enforcement actions involving agencies such as the DOJ, SEC, FTC, OFAC, and foreign regulators. Simpson Thacher is especially active in areas such as FCPA and anti-corruption, antitrust enforcement, AML, sanctions, securities fraud, and cybersecurity breaches. Its multijurisdictional approach enables seamless coordination across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The firm has further expertise in CFIUS-related advisory and international trade compliance.