Maali_Sahar

Sahar Maali

Maali_Sahar

Sahar Maali

Counsel

  • *Sahar is on secondment and not currently practicing at WilmerHale.
San Francisco + 1 628 235 1014

Sahar Maali’s practice focuses on white collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, complex civil and securities litigation, and regulatory compliance. She routinely represents officers, directors, and corporations in investigations conducted by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Foreign Assets Control, state attorney general offices, and federal banking regulators. Ms. Maali has particular expertise in matters involving financial fraud, accounting improprieties, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, economic sanctions, money laundering, internal controls, and disclosure issues.

Ms. Maali’s practice is international in scale, and she represents clients in a diverse range of industries—including financial services, technology, consumer products and services, healthcare, and cryptocurrency—across the United States, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Ms. Maali also maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals in various immigration-related matters.

Experience

  • Representative Matters

    • Represented a leading AI company in connection with an SEC inquiry concerning potential insider trading. 
    • Represented the independent directors of Silicon Valley Bank in litigation and regulatory proceedings in connection with the financial institution’s entry into receivership.
    • Represented a Fortune 100 technology company in an internal investigation in India concerning alleged fraud within the company’s Cloud business. 
    • Represented a prominent restaurant chain in a New York Attorney General investigation of the company’s use of consumer data in its pricing practices.
    • Obtained an SEC termination letter closing without charges an investigation of a prominent quick-service restaurant concerning the company’s public disclosures.
    • Represented a prominent investment adviser in connection with SEC, DOJ, and OFAC inquiries involving the investment firm’s management of funds from a trust operated by the family of a Russian oligarch.
    • Represented the audit committee of a global food distributor in an internal investigation involving the company’s accounting and revenue recognition practices. 
    • Represented the audit committee of a major data center company in SEC and US Attorney’s Office investigations involving allegations of accounting fraud. 
    • Advised a large Africa-based company on anti-corruption and trade compliance risks and developed a comprehensive compliance policy focused on the FCPA, UK Bribery Act, sanctions, and anti-money laundering.
    • Obtained a closing letter from the SEC terminating without adverse action an inquiry concerning a product offered by a major cryptocurrency company.
    • Represented the chief financial officer of a California-based public construction company in shareholder and derivative litigation and an SEC inquiry.
    • Successfully resolved SEC and DOJ inquiries concerning alleged FCPA violations in the Middle East on behalf of a major international software company.
    • Represented a large technology company in conducting an internal investigation into allegations of racial discrimination involving a senior company executive.    
    • Represented Theranos, Inc. in inquiries by the US Attorney’s Office and the SEC.
    • Represented a prominent California developer in a public corruption inquiry by the US Attorney’s Office.

  • Pro Bono

    • Obtained a green card on behalf of an Afghan interpreter for the United States Armed Forces, as well as on behalf of members of his family following their forced emigration from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s return to power.
    • Represented a University of California student in connection with his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) petition. 
    • Secured U nonimmigrant status (U visa) for a Guatemalan minor who was the victim of sexual abuse.

Recognition

Insights & News

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Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 2015

    • Certificate of Specialization in International Law Miller Institute for Global Challenges and the Law

    • MS, Columbia University, 2012

      Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, magna cum laude

    • BA, Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, 2009

      cum laude

  • Admissions

    • California

  • Languages

    • Persian

Credentials

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