Ballard Spahr LLP

Litigation

Partner

Emilia McKee Vassallo is an experienced litigator and legal counselor who focuses on conducting internal investigations and representing businesses, organizations, and individuals in white collar defense and complex commercial litigation. She co-leads the firm's Black Lawyers Group.

Emilia has conducted internal investigations of high-profile, highly sensitive matters for major corporations, government agencies, and institutions, including investigations spurred by whistleblower complaints to federal and state agencies. She has managed all aspects of internal investigations, including electronic device imaging and data retrieval. Her work providing critical analysis during the investigative stage of cases has led to the successful resolution of matters without the filing of criminal or other charges. She drafts comprehensive internal or public reports of investigative findings and recommendations for improving corporate, institutional, and governmental policies and procedures.

Emilia leverages her investigative and analytical skills and experience to craft winning litigation strategy in defending white collar clients against civil and criminal charges and to litigate complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on unfair competition cases. Emilia has both successfully defended and prosecuted unfair competition claims under the Lanham Act, including cases alleging false advertising. In this context, Emilia also provides pre-litigation counseling and represents clients in pre-litigation efforts where allegations of unfair competition are made, and has experience in negotiating favorable out-of-court resolutions.

In the white collar defense context, Emilia has advised and represented clients in successfully defending charges levied by federal, state, and municipal government agencies. With broad knowledge of the law and deep experience in applying legal principles, Emilia advises grand jury clients of their rights and responds to subpoenas on behalf of companies and individuals. She provides pre-indictment and post-indictment representation on health care fraud and other allegations across industries, including pandemic-related government stimulus. She has also advised companies cooperating with law enforcement agencies investigating and prosecuting former employees or foreign nationals on matters such as trade secret theft cases.

Emilia’s experience encompasses advising on antitrust and securities-related compliance, government investigations, and enforcement actions by the SEC and DOJ, including counsel and training on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. In addition to outlawing bribes to foreign officials, the FCPA requires covered businesses to meet specific accounting provisions and internal controls. She also has experience with private securities litigation, where she has successfully represented clients in contentious arbitration of high-stakes, investment-related disputes.

Admissions

New Jersey

Pennsylvania

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow

Temple Law Alumni Association, Executive Committee

Corporate Counsel Women of Color Conference

Stakeholders Charting Your Own Course program

Ballard Spahr's Hiring Committee

Ballard Spahr's Inclusion Council