Andrew M. Lawrence

Mr. Lawrence’s experience in securities-related matters includes the representation of corporations and their officers, directors and employees in investigations regarding accounting and financial reporting, disclosure, insider trading and corruption matters. He also represents broker-dealers and mutual fund complexes in SEC and other federal and state regulatory investigations related to trading, sales practices and disclosure matters.

Mr. Lawrence regularly conducts internal investigations on behalf of senior management, audit committees and boards of directors. In addition, he advises clients on SEC financial reporting, disclosure, compliance and corporate governance requirements, as well as on the development and enhancement of compliance structures and related policies and procedures designed to prevent and detect potential violations of law.

He also frequently counsels audit firms and their personnel in connection with SEC investigations into issues related to their work on audit engagements, as well as with respect to internal investigations conducted by audit clients.

Mr. Lawrence’s representations include:

Accounting and Financial Disclosures

• a pharmaceutical company in connection with an SEC investigation relating to various disclosure and accounting and internal controls issues
• an energy utility in an SEC investigation into the company’s accounting and internal controls related to its materials and supplies inventory for its energy generation plants
• a leading fashion retailer in an internal investigation regarding the company’s inventory reporting and related accounting and internal controls issues. Mr. Lawrence also represented the company in a related SEC investigation
• numerous companies and executives in SEC investigations related to revenue recognition practices
• an investor relations director in an SEC investigation regarding issues involving Regulation FD
• a real estate investment trust in an SEC investigation focused on the company’s disclosures, financial accounting and valuation in connection with certain commercial real estate sales transactions
• an engagement quality review partner of an audit firm in connection with an SEC investigation of the firm’s audit work
• a global reinsurance company in an SEC investigation into accounting issues related to an entity that the company had acquired, which involved nontraditional insurance and reinsurance transactions
• the chairman of the board of directors of an insurance company in an SEC investigation pertaining to compensation disclosure issues
• the general counsel of a technology company in investigations by the SEC and DOJ pertaining to revenue recognition and disclosure issues
• companies in internal investigations and in connection with SEC investigations regarding revenue recognition and “channel stuffing” issues
• an engagement partner in connection with an SEC investigation into the firm’s audit work

Cryptocurrencies and Digital Assets

• various companies in SEC and state regulatory investigations, including those involving major digital asset platforms, exchanges and protocols, and issuers of tokens and stablecoins
• various firms that invest in digital assets and digital asset projects and protocols

Cybersecurity Issues and Related Disclosures

• an audit firm in an SEC investigation pertaining to issues related to a cybersecurity breach of an audit client
• several companies in internal investigations related to cybersecurity breaches and related disclosure issues
• several companies in SEC investigations pertaining to disclosures related to cybersecurity breaches

Financial Services

• a global financial services firm in investigations by the SEC and FINRA into mutual fund sales and trading practices
• a former officer of a major financial services firm in investigations by the SEC, state attorneys general and the DOJ regarding the sale of residential mortgage-backed securities
• a provider of financial retirement services in an internal investigation and related investigations by the SEC and other regulators pertaining to marketing and sales issues

Anti-Corruption

• a leading vehicle manufacturer in internal investigations into potential corruption in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, as well as in related DOJ and SEC Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations
• a multinational retailer in fulfilling obligations of settlement with the DOJ and SEC, including working with an independent monitor and assisting in the design and implementation of compliance program enhancements
• an industrial services company in FCPA investigations by the DOJ and SEC related to matters in Brazil
• the audit committee of a medical care company in internal investigations in Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as in related DOJ and SEC FCPA investigations

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Lawrence worked in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, where he was responsible for investigating alleged violations of federal securities laws and SEC regulations, particularly with regard to accounting, financial disclosure and insider trading matters.

Mr. Lawrence is a frequent speaker on SEC enforcement developments, government and internal investigations, compliance and attorney ethics, and has written extensively on SEC enforcement and white collar criminal matters.