Anti-Corruption Investigations and Compliance
Our attorneys are experienced in all aspects of anti-corruption matters, including internal investigations and the defense of government investigations, enforcement actions and criminal/civil proceedings. Skadden has successfully resolved numerous matters that resulted in declinations or other settlements favorable to our clients, including a rare complete victory in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Sharef et al., which decision remains a key jurisdictional holding in the FCPA space to this day.
Anti-corruption matters invariably involve multiple locations, countries and regulators. Cross-border cooperation between United States authorities and their international counterparts in these matters continues to increase, and prosecutors outside of the U.S. have made anti-corruption investigations and prosecutions a priority. Our global reach, depth and experience enable us to perform fact-finding and analysis in connection with complex business matters in every country in which our clients conduct business. Our experience in anti-corruption spans six continents and a host of industries, including life sciences, technology, telecommunications, oil and gas extraction and services, media and advertising, construction and infrastructure, food and beverage, and consumer goods. We are well-versed in the issues that arise in cross-border investigations and are experienced in successfully navigating the complicated legal landscape when business conduct results in international proceedings that require a strategically coordinated response.
Skadden also helps multinational companies develop and implement anti-bribery compliance programs and conduct anti-corruption due diligence on transactions. Our attorneys have helped numerous corporations across industries develop or enhance state-of-the-art compliance programs. We train boards, senior management and employees on anti-bribery issues. Our vast experience in compliance and investigations enables us to provide this advice in an efficient, cost-effective manner.
In recognition of Skadden’s work, we have been named to Global Investigations Review’s (GIR’s) 2025 GIR 30 list, which described our investigations practice as “a cornerstone of the firm’s global litigation offering, with a track record shaped by decades of high-stakes mandates and a deep bench of former government officials.” We are also ranked as a leading firm in the Corporate Crime & Investigations: The Elite category and FCPA category in Chambers USA.
Our team members have held senior leadership positions at a variety of government agencies, including the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, the DOJ, U.S. attorneys’ offices, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Enforcement Division and the Department of the Treasury. Moreover, Skadden’s international reach extends to Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and São Paulo. Our bench of highly skilled international lawyers helps provide us with the necessary resources to address anti-bribery issues wherever and at the time they arise and offers cost efficiencies to our clients.