CLE: Ethics Considerations for Internal Investigations

September 2023

Williams & Connolly partners Katie Trefz and Simon Latcovich will join in-house panelists Todd Braunstein, General Counsel – International and Head of Global Investigations at Willis Towers Watson; Zoe Poulson, Vice President, Regional Ethics & Compliance Leader, North America and Head of Global Anti-Bribery Program at Visa, and Kate Smith, Counsel, Alphabet Regulatory Response, Investigations, & Strategy, to present “Ethics Considerations for Internal Investigations,” an in-person CLE hosted by the Association of Corporate Counsel – National Capital Region. The presentation will take place on October 3, 2023 from 11:30AM to 2:00PM ET. The panelists will discuss internal investigations arising in a variety of contexts—from workplace issues, to whistleblower complaints, to investigations arising from government inquiries. Regardless of the substantive issues involved, internal investigations can also be rife with ethical considerations, such as issues of preservation, employee representation, choosing the right investigators, and reporting findings of an investigation. This program will explore those issues through the lens of the Virginia Rules of Professional Responsibility, with a focus on how to address ethical concerns early on in anticipation of potential litigation and/or cooperation with a private adversary or government entity.  
 
Katie Trefz focuses her practice on criminal defense and government and internal investigations. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Internal Investigations practice group. Katie’s work for corporations and senior executives has involved a wide array of substantive allegations, including securities fraud, mail and wire fraud, violations of antitrust law, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), money laundering, tax fraud, and the False Claims Act (FCA), among others. Her matters have spanned many industries, including finance, technology, telecommunications, automobile manufacturing, social media, traditional media, law, accounting, food, health care, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and professional sports.
 
Simon Latcovich has broad experience representing clients in civil litigation, criminal litigation, government investigations, and internal investigations. He has represented corporations, professional firms, senior executives, and senior government officials facing trials or investigations conducted by grand juries, government agencies, and congressional committees. His clients include a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a United States Senator, the Chief Executive Officer of an international bank, and other senior executives and officials.
 
Todd Braunstein is General Counsel - International as well as Head of Global Investigations at Willis Towers Watson. He is also a Williams & Connolly alum. 

Zoe Poulson is Vice President, Regional Ethics & Compliance Leader, North America and Head of Global Anti-Bribery Program at Visa. She is also a Williams & Connolly alumna.

Kate Smith is Counsel, Alphabet Regulatory Response, Investigations, & Strategy.
 
WHEN: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 11:30AM to 2:00PM ET. In-person only.
 
WHERE: Westwood Country Club, 800 Maple Ave E, Vienna, Virginia, 22180
 
REGISTER HERE (For complimentary registration, please select “guest of sponsor”) 
 
CLE ACCREDITATION:
*ACC-NCR will provide 2.0 VA MCLE Ethics Credits. This will qualify for NY CLE credit under NY’s approved jurisdiction policy, and may qualify for reciprocal credit in other states as well.
* If you need CLE credit in another state, please contact Sherry Bridge at sbridge@wc.com.

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