Brian L. Howard II

Conducted internal investigation of multinational oil and gas company related to DOJ, SEC, and Brazilian “Operation Car Wash” FCPA investigation of Brazilian state-owned petroleum company, Petrobras 

Defended U.S. energy services, technology, and research company in connection with DOJ and SEC FCPA investigation concerning Monaco-based company Unaoil; following internal investigation and presentations to regulators on company’s behalf, both DOJ and SEC closed their investigations with no action taken against client

Represented former high-level engineer of German automaker in connection with DOJ, EPA, CARB, and German investigation concerning the alleged concealment of illegal defeat devices designed to circumvent diesel emissions standards in violation of the Clean Air Act and similar European environmental laws

Represented current and former employees of pharmaceutical manufacturer in DOJ antitrust investigation concerning allegations of price fixing and market allocation in the generics pharmaceutical industry

Defended multi-billion-dollar defense contractor in DOJ criminal investigation relating to allegations of SBA fraud and bid rigging; client obtained criminal declination and favorable no-admit, no-deny civil settlement 

Represented current and former employees of multinational investment bank and financial services company in DOJ, SEC, and FCA investigation of potential FCPA and securities violations related to sovereign loans made to South African nation

Defended former executive of non-profit charter school in related federal criminal investigation and civil litigation initiated by D.C.’s Office of the Attorney General concerning allegations of Medicaid fraud, theft, and improperly diverting funds from a not-for-profit corporation for personal benefit; all criminal charges were declined and a favorable civil settlement was reached

Assisted globally-focused SEC-registered investment advisor and private equity fund with the design and implementation of the fund’s, and 20 of its portfolio companies’, anti-corruption risk management policies and compliance programs; annually train directors, executives, employees, and agents regarding U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and risk mitigation strategies; conduct pre-acquisition/pre-investment anti-corruption due diligence; perform periodic audits of compliance with anti-corruption policies

Defended former executive of U.S.-based oil exploration company in connection with DOJ investigation into alleged FCPA violations in West African country 

Successfully defended client in an investigation by the FTC relating to the cyber breach and public release of data associated with millions of user accounts, and helped client remediate its data security practices; FTC declined to pursue charges

Advised multiple clients on regulatory risks related to accepting, mining, transacting, or lending cryptocurrencies, as well as supporting such operations through joint ventures, power supply agreements, or other arrangements