We regularly work with Fortune 500 companies to conduct internal investigations and to establish policies, procedures, training programs, and due diligence practices to ensure compliance with relevant U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and to minimize a company’s risk profile. We also represent companies and individuals during all stages of enforcement proceedings, from advising businesses on whether to self-disclose a suspected violation to responding to and resolving government inquiries.

Our lawyers advise public companies at all stages, from the newly public to the Fortune 500, on all manner of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and stock exchange compliance and disclosure requirements. Our representation goes beyond guidance on compliance with SEC rules—we provide highly customized and pragmatic advice based on the broad perspective and deep experience gained by representing many public companies.

Our collective experience enables us to provide efficient and high-value advice on a range of issues, including sensitive Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD) issues, SEC rule changes, technical disclosure questions, ESG and other disclosure trends, use of non-generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) measures, management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) and compensation discussion and analysis (CD&A) improvements, SEC comment letter trends, and compliance with stock exchange listing requirements and investor expectations regarding corporate governance practices.

We feature our proactive and pragmatic style on our Public Chatter blog, guides and programs, covering the latest securities law, ESG and corporate governance developments, as well as the topics encountered in daily practice.

We advise companies of all sizes, including some of the largest multinational companies and member governments of the World Trade Organization on the international rules and U.S. laws and programs that regulate trade in goods and services. These include trade remedies targeting imports and customs compliance and export controls.

We provide counsel on the complex set of U.S. and international trade regulations governing the transnational flow of goods, technology, capital, investments, and services to help our clients successfully enter and compete in markets throughout the world.

Our lawyers regularly appear before the key U.S. administrative agencies responsible for trade, customs and export controls regulation, including the International Trade Administration and Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce; the U.S. International Trade Commission; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; the U.S. State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls; the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, among others.

Our White Collar & Investigations attorneys conduct internal investigations and advise companies, boards and individuals in government investigations and prosecutions. Our attorneys include former federal prosecutors and trial-tested defense lawyers who have a deep understanding of the government enforcement landscape and have high credibility with prosecutors, regulators, and the courts.

Perkins Coie is the first Am Law 100 law firm to develop a dedicated practice addressing supply chain and corporate social responsibility compliance. In addition to helping clients find commonsense solutions to emerging compliance challenges such as third-party due diligence and supply chain transparency laws, our experienced team of compliance professionals enables our clients to capitalize on sustainability and ESG opportunities.

Advising on a broad range of human rights concerns, we assist clients on transactional, risk management, due diligence, litigation, and compliance matters that affect ESG factors.

Our Privacy & Security lawyers have amassed extensive knowledge in U.S. and international privacy, data security, and reporting requirements including the wave of new omnibus privacy legislation and security rules at the federal and state levels that require broadly applicable compliance programs.

We work collaboratively with our clients to develop a comprehensive understanding of how they collect, use, store, share, retain, and otherwise process personal information. We also examine our clients’ security practices, regulatory reporting, and public representations to ensure compliance with sector-specific rules, as well as broader authorities such as SEC and FTC requirements. Through this work, we also learn about market practices and apply that insight and common experience across our client base to help companies address persistent issues, overcome compliance hurdles in ways that minimize business impact, and ensure our clients are well positioned to comply with their legal and regulatory obligations. 

Our Labor & Employment lawyers track and monitor developments in employment and traditional labor laws at the federal, state, and local levels to help us counsel and guide clients in maintaining or coming into compliance with current legal requirements. This support includes creating and updating policies, contracts, and related internal training. We have a deep bench of experienced investigators who regularly architect, direct, and conduct internal investigations into workplace and workplace-related conduct in conjunction with in-house counsel, corporate boards, or human resources professionals. Our network of relationships with computer and accounting forensic specialists, media and crisis management professionals, and workplace safety consultants allow us the ability to build out the right teams for the specific need.

Perkins Coie provides sophisticated advice relating to economic sanctions and anti-money laundering (AML) laws, rules and regulations to support our clients in building compliance programs, navigating cross-border transactions, conducting internal investigations, and responding to enforcement inquiries. Our clients span industries and risk profiles ranging from emerging companies to highly regulated financial institutions, including both U.S. and foreign entities. Our global team includes former regulators and industry thought leaders who provide insightful, solution-oriented counsel on fast-moving legal, regulatory, and policy developments. In an ever-shifting areas of sanctions and AML, we not only keep financial institutions and other companies apprised of the latest issues and regulatory guidance, but can also evaluate and enhance existing risk-based programs to assist in regulatory compliance.

Perkins Coie has extensive experience providing regulatory advice on issues involving compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and AML and CFT requirements, including addressing examination findings, enforcement actions, and specific regulatory questions. Most recently, the team has been focused on ensuring compliance with the AML Act of 2020 and the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and has been a thought leader in CTA compliance, providing guidance to some of the largest corporate enterprises with complex ownership structures. The team has also been at the forefront of financial technology and innovation relating to compliance program systems, third-party risk management, and risk assessments. Our team includes former senior level regulatory officials and industry thought leaders with decades of experience in AML and fraud.

Our environmental compliance and enforcement team provides comprehensive advice regarding a wide range of environmental, health, and safety issues. This includes water and air quality and discharge issues; the handling and disposal of hazardous substances; permit violations and compliance; and defending against Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and many other federal and state equivalent enforcement actions. Our lawyers know the compliance and enforcement playbook and have experience working with the DOJ, Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, and State Departments of Environmental Conservations, as well as U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and many other federal, state, and local agencies on these matters.

Our Investment Management practice lawyers represent participants in all aspects of the dynamic investment management industry.

This broad experience, combined with senior-level attention, provides the knowledge, skill, and sophistication to help our clients navigate complex regulations and manage their business operations and investments. Perkins Coie handles a wide range of issues arising under federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Commodity Exchange Act, and the Securities Exchange Act, as well as related rules and regulations.