Brittany Harwood
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037
Brittany’s practice focuses on conducting internal investigations and defending companies and individuals against government investigations into a broad range of conduct. Brittany has experience defending clients related to compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), False Claims Act (“FCA”), antitrust laws, procurement fraud, and other criminal laws and regulations. She regularly represents clients before various United States’ Attorneys Offices, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”), the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and other regulatory bodies.
In addition to her investigatory work, Brittany has also been involved in multiple high-stakes antitrust cases. She currently represents 12 large shipping companies asserting claims against four Class I railroad companies in the In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation. The Vinson & Elkins’ team has a leading role in spearheading the multi-district litigation and organizing strategy and discovery efforts across more than 300 plaintiffs.
Brittany’s practice also involves compliance counseling, including developing and implementing compliance programs, training relevant stakeholders, and testing pre-exiting programs for effectiveness. Brittany also advises clients on compliance risks associated with investments, acquisitions, mergers, and financing.
Experience Highlights
Represent multiple individuals in connection with an ongoing FCPA investigation in Latin America by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
Representing 12 of the largest shippers asserting claims against the four major railroads in In re Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation; these shippers include large electric utility companies, steel companies, and fertilizer companies
Represented a publicly traded financial services and infrastructure company in connection with ongoing FCPA investigations in Latin America by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
Represented major domestic airline in Department of Justice investigation and prepared witness for trial
Represented two executives of a large pharmaceutical company in a global FCPA investigation by the US. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission
Represented a chemical company with global operations in connection with DOJ inquiry regarding alleged antitrust violations
Counselled a multi-national oil services company on FCPA and anti-corruption compliance programs
(C.D. Ill.) Represented a government contractor in a qui tam action involving allegations of fraud in connection with the settlement of a foreign subcontractor’s request for equitable adjustment
Credentials
- University of Virginia, J.D., 2016 (Virginia Journal of International Law, member)
- Georgetown University, B.S.F.S., cum laude, 2013
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Ones to Watch,” Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Washington), 2024
- Selected to the Washington, D.C. Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers® (Thomson Reuters), 2023
- Virginia
- District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- InsightSeptember 29, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 21, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsApril 28, 2023
- InsightSeptember 23, 2022
- InsightMarch 15, 2022
- InsightNovember 29, 2021
- InsightOctober 28, 2021
- InsightJuly 14, 2021
- InsightJune 10, 2021
- InsightMarch 23, 2021
- InsightMarch 17, 2021
- Deals & CasesFebruary 19, 2021
- Deals & CasesJanuary 13, 2021
- InsightApril 8, 2019
- “Another Operation Car Wash FCPA Settlement: Federal Court Orders Odebrecht to Pay $2.6 Billion, but Amount Could Have Been Higher,”V&E FCPA & Global Anti-Corruption Update E-communication, April 21, 2017 (author)
- “Not in the Interest of Disclosure: Trump White House Strikes Down Mineral Resource Disclosure Rule,” V&E Environmental & FCPA/Anti-Corruption Update E-communication, February 22, 2017 (co-author)