Global Investigations Review Just Anti-Corruption recently gave WilmerHale's Washington DC office an “elite” ranking for its Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) practice, putting it among the top firms in the nation's capital.

Of the 55 ranked firms, only seven were given “elite” status. The firm's Washington DC office was assessed on the quality of its lawyers, case work and current clients. The rating categories were: elite, highly recommended and recommended. 

GIR noted that WilmerHale's FCPA practice, with involvement from lawyers in the DC office, helped negotiate four FCPA settlements between June and August 2016. This included settlements for Analogic and LATAM Airlines with the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, the firm achieved settlements with the SEC and declinations from the DOJ for Johnson Controls and Key Energy. Earlier in the year, the firm had resolved an FCPA matter with the DOJ and SEC for client PTC.

GIR highlighted WilmerHale's extensive government experience within its FCPA practice. It noted that three of the firm's department chairs, who are based in the DC office, advise on FCPA matters and all have held high-level government posts. This includes Howard Shapiro, chair of the Litigation/Controversy Department and former general counsel at the FBI and former assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York; Jamie Gorelick, chair of the Regulatory and Government Affairs Department and former deputy attorney general; and William McLucas, chair of the Securities Department and former director of enforcement for the SEC.

It also noted the FCPA experience of DC Partners Kim Parker, Ron Machen, Matt Jones, Mike Leotta, Mark Cahn, Chris Davies and Matt Martens. GIR highlighted that many of WilmerHale's key FCPA attorneys also reside in the firm's New York office, including Roger Witten and Jay Holtmeier, among others.