The FCPA and AML Statutes
December 28, 2011
Last month, we began to discuss how federal prosecutors are increasingly combining charges under the FCPA and the U.S. anti-money laundering laws to reach more defendants and achieve greater success in their criminal prosecutions. We continue herein.
Money-Laundering Statutes May Implicate the Innocent
December 28, 2011
The prospect of a federal money-laundering charge being added to offenses under investigation has serious implications. It can mean exposure to heightened penalties. It can also extend the statute of limitations where it involves conduct occurring later than the substantive offense primarily under investigation. Additionally, money-laundering charges can expand the scope of a conspiracy, by sweeping in conduct involving financial transactions performed by other individuals or far removed from the core conduct at issue. For all of these reasons, the reach of the money laundering statutes is significant.
FCPA Investigation Costs ' Are You Covered?
December 28, 2011
The enormous size of the FCPA enforcement actions settlements as well as the outsized cost of investigating and defending FCPA actions has led the insurance industry to offer new FCPA insurance products, which are intended to offset the FCPA investigation and settlement costs. These products, however, should be reviewed carefully by the companies to determine their utility in light of the companies' FCPA exposure, existing insurance, and, of course, cost.
Time For a New Definition of Competence?
December 28, 2011
Does the innate need to appear "competent" help or hinder a professional's ability to develop business, develop future talent and give superior service to clients?
Social Security Facts and Strategies
December 28, 2011
Social Security is the biggest retirement system in the United States and its benefits play an important role for retiring Baby Boomers. Millions of Americans depend on their monthly benefits, the amount which can be affected by various factors, most importantly the age at which you retire.
Marketing Change: Differentiation Amid Upheaval
December 28, 2011
In-house counsel have, after years of grumbling, finally motivated law firms to act differently, putting client needs above the law firms' own arcane business models and billing policies. However, few law firm leaders view these changes as positive, so many do a poor job of promoting their enhanced capabilities as a competitive advantage.
PR, Technology and Branding
December 28, 2011
Most, if not all, law firms have a professional presence online these days, so that is no longer a key differentiator ' but what they do with these websites is. Smart firms are moving away from static text-only websites that look just like their competitors' websites and are rarely, if ever, updated with fresh content. And they're doing something else, too: focusing on branding.