Mr Bruce Yannett > Debevoise & Plimpton LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP offers expertise across white collar and regulatory defense, commercial litigation, international arbitration and intellectual property, leveraging its presence across strategic jurisdictions including Hong Kong, New York, London and Washington DC. The practice is led by Andrew Ceresney, who focuses on financial services litigation, and Mary Beth Hogan, who concentrates her practice on investigations, particularly for educational institutions and corporations relating to sexual harassment, as well as regulatory investigations and enforcements involving the DOJ and CFPB. Co-chair of the firm’s international dispute resolution group is Catherine Amirfar, who is recognized for her experience in public international law, bolstered by her time as Counselor on international law to the US State Department. Ina Popova also focuses on public international law and international litigation across several sectors including mining, energy and TMT. Finally, Andrew Levine, David O’Neil, based in Washington DC, and Bruce Yannett are key figures within the firm’s white collar and regulatory defense team, representing companies, financial institutions and executives on a range of securities fraud, foreign bribery, anti-corruption and investigation matters. Donald Donovan recently retired from the firm. Unless specified otherwise, all lawyers are based in New York.

With deep regulatory experience, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP frequently advises on enforcements and investigations by bodies including the CFPB, NYDFS, DOJ, OFAC and the SEC. The firm takes a multidisciplinary approach, combining this expertise with that of corporate and other litigation practitioners to handle a range of matters including corruption, parallel civil and criminal proceedings and multiple inquiries by regulatory bodies, often relating to jurisdictions including the UK, France and Hong Kong. The practice is co-led by New York’s Mary Beth Hogan and Andrew Ceresney. Hogan focuses on investigations, particularly for educational institutions and corporations with an emphasis on sexual harassment and MeToo matters. Meanwhile, Ceresney specializes in investigations and white-collar defense along with Bruce Yannett. Maeve O’Connor co-chairs the firm’s securities litigation group and is recognized for her experience this area. All named lawyers are based in New York.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a global leader in international investigations and this standing is illustrated by its acclaimed track record and reputation in Latin America. It frequently advises clients on internal investigations and public investigations by civil regulators and criminal prosecutors, often involving parallel investigations in multiple jurisdictions. The firm is steeped in FCPA compliance expertise and has extensive experience in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and other key markets. It has landed key roles in connection with Operation Lava Jato and the FIFA corruption scandal. The firm frequently represents major multinationals in cross-border investigations and regulatory defence matters, including matters involving Latin American subsidiaries, and also acts for large Latin American corporates, senior executives and individuals. Along with regular big-ticket investigations, the white collar and regulatory defence team is often involved in risk-based compliance due diligence relating to proposed M&A transactions. Andrew Levine is co-head of the Latin America group and is a ‘rock star’ in anti-corruption and investigations in the region. Washington DC partner Kara Brockmeyer previously had over 15 years working at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including five and a half years as chief of the enforcement division’s FCPA unit. Also in Washington DC, David O’Neil has an extensive record in FCPA investigations around the world, including Latin America. Bruce Yannett is chair of the white collar and regulatory defence group. Named partners are based in New York unless stated otherwise.