Matt Stankiewicz, Managing Counsel at The Volkov Law Group, joins us for continued updates regarding the SEC enforcement action against Ripple. Matt can be reached at [email protected]. On Monday, Ripple Labs, Inc.; Brad Garlinghouse, CEO; Christian Larsen, board chairman; and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filed a joint letter with Judge Analisa Torres in the Southern District of New York.  While this letter...

In the new Biden Administration, companies should expect aggressive enforcement of trade sanctions.  At the same time, in response to Russian aggression and the Solar Winds cyber-attack, OFAC is likely to implement new and even more restrictive sanctions against Russia.  In anticipation, companies should elevate the importance of their sanctions compliance programs (SCPs) pursuant to the May 2019 OFAC Framework.  Unfortunately, for many companies, sanctions...

Corporate governance sometimes is the subject of “fads,” or initiatives that gain traction with dubious evidence-based justifications.  Sometimes companies engage new theories or strategies because they “sound good,” or give corporate leaders a way to avoid or mollify tackling hard issues or difficult tasks. Corporations are quickly embracing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues.  Whether this is “right” or the most effective use of corporate...

The Biden Administration has a lot on its plate – that is obvious.  Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and restoring economic growth is one of the most difficult challenges ever facing our country.  Across the government, a new administration poses significant changes in priorities. The Justice Department will be tough on corporate crime and compliance.  With the exception of a failure to prosecute individuals responsible for...

Tom Fox, the Compliance Evangelist, has announced the release of his Compliance Handbook, Second Edition.  Tom is a compliance leader and his handbook is a must read for all ethics and compliance professionals.  The Second Edition provides practical and helpful solutions on important ethics and compliance issues.  It is comprehensive, accessible and a must-have for every ethics and compliance professional.  Tom has teamed up with...

While my first posting highlighted the positive developments in the CCO’s role and professional development, the next two postings present troubling concerns.  We have to recognize that 2020 was a difficult and unusual year for CCOs, given the panoply of risks, the disruption to every organization, and devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  CCOs were forced into a new environment where health and safety issues,...

To start the New Year, it is a good idea to review the trends in the role and status of Chief Compliance Officers.  As we witness the continuing growth in stature of the CCO, we need to exercise caution.  Some troubling concerns are becoming apparent.  With a new Attorney General and Biden Administration, CCOs have to be mindful of their ever increasing responsibilities and concomitant...

The Volkov Law Group is proud to announce that Alexander Cotoia has joined the firm as a Regulatory Manager and Compliance Consultant. Alexander specializes in corporate risk assessments, evaluation of general compliance programs, and the remediation of compliance deficiencies. He also specializes in trade (export) compliance and is familiar with a broad range of issues arising under both the Arms Export Control Act and its...