Internal Investigations
With our team’s robust white-collar defense and international experience both from within firm and from elsewhere, we are exceptionally well-equipped to handle both domestic and cross-border internal investigations, be they in the context of either criminal or civil enforcement. Our collective investigations experience covers virtually every type of alleged business impropriety, from economic sanctions violations, money laundering, securities fraud, insider trading, foreign bribery, antitrust offenses, accounting fraud, cyber-based offenses including cryptocurrency and blockchain matters, embezzlement, false billing, and off-label marketing.
FCPA & Anti-Corruption
Akrivis counsels and defends U.S. and foreign companies and individuals in matters relating to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-corruption laws. We are frequently contacted when a potential corruption issue arises and are counsel for investigations and enforcement proceedings before the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), among other agencies. In addition, we advise clients considering transactions in high-risk markets or with business partners with high anti-corruption risks. We also counsel clients who are designing the implementation of compliance policies and programs, reviewing their worldwide anti-bribery compliance, conducting risk assessments, and/or drafting anti-bribery contractual provisions for, among others, M&A, shareholder, supplier and other third-party agreements.
Sanctions Enforcement
Akrivis has strong expertise in the legal and regulatory requirements governing export and import activity, and a wealth of experience in representing clients before the relevant government agencies, including the DOJ, Commerce, Treasury, and Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection, OFAC, and the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS).
Anti-Money Laundering
We provide legal advice on all aspects of anti-money laundering (AML) rules and regulations and helps companies navigate this complex and overlapping legal and regulatory AML landscape, both with respect to implementation of robust compliance measures with AML requirements, counter-terrorist financing (CTF) regimes, know-your-customer (KYC) rules, Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) obligations, and other requirements by the Office of Foreign Assets Controls (OFAC) and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Matters
Cryptocurrency and blockchain matters occupy a unique area of the law that sees new technologies and business processes overlap with traditional financial enforcement and regulatory oversight. The shifting legal landscape in that sphere requires representation that is both nimble and up-to-date on the latest developments from regulators. Akrivis has a proven track record of successfully counseling clients pondering their next move and providing shrewd defense strategies for clients who faced government investigations or enforcement actions, both in seeking resolutions and being poised to defend those clients at trial. Akrivis’s team, with their extensive governmental and prosecutorial experience, can bridge the gaps that form in this unpredictable landscape and steer clients past the pitfalls and through rough patches.
Securities Fraud
Akrivis’ partners have a deep understanding of U.S. securities laws and are well-versed in defending clients accused of market manipulation, securities fraud or other claimed violations of the securities law. The firm regularly counsels individuals and corporations who have received a DOJ or SEC subpoena or Wells notice, and at every other stage of a government inquiry or investigation, including in circumstances where criminal charges arise. As with other areas within the white-collar practice, this is a discipline that requires a multi-pronged strategy that addresses DOJ, SEC, and other agencies’ concerns at the same time. Akrivis’ team is especially tailored for such an approach.
Akrivis also represents its clients in response to regulatory inquiries, regularly interfacing with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), OFAC, and the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS).