My heritage is Russian; I know how Russians think and what makes them tick.  Like its literary history, Russians are complex.  If you try to generalize, or underestimate them, they will make mincemeat out of you.  Businesses which are interested in entering Russia face a difficult environment, with huge upside potential and equal amounts of risks. The political atmosphere in Russia is shifting.  Politics surrounding...

Forgive me, as a former federal prosecutor for 17 years, it is hard to watch the Jodi Arias trial, not because she is guilty and deserves the death penalty but because of the incredibly poor performance by Judge Sherry Stephens.  The trial has become a circus, and spun even more wildly out of control during jury deliberations. Judge Stephens is a judge who has no...

Companies with existing compliance programs are starting to focus on the importance of monitoring, auditing and improving their compliance programs.  The Sentencing Guidelines and the FCPA Guidance both emphasize the importance of transforming a compliance program from a “paper” program to an “evolving” compliance program. A paper program is defined as policies and procedures with little assurance that the company is following the program, and...

Just to show my age and my fascination with history – the recent flap over the IRS targeting of Tea Party-affiliated groups reminds everyone in my age bracket (and above) of the legendary Nixon(ian) scandals during the Watergate era. Since I have practiced law in DC all my life, I can be a little cynical.  The current IRS scandal is horrible – and certainly, the...

Prosecutors are a fun bunch and they love their jobs and their mission – to prosecute law-breakers for violating the law.  Prosecutors especially enjoy when they are charged with increasing enforcement of a specific law and watching the reaction of the industry to their prosecutorial impact. HIPAA enforcement is a perfect example of this principle.  HIPAA has been on the books for nearly 20 years,...

The FCPA Paparazzi has been at it again – it is fascinating to watch the reaction of practitioners and commentators in the FCPA arena.  You can usually find someone who will agree with any position you want to take.  Paparazzi members are usually all over the map, trying to differentiate their position, their take on the issue, so as to carve out a unique and...

Hopefully, you and your company will never have to prove to a court or argue to the Justice Department that your anti-corruption compliance program is “effective.”  Even if you never face that audience, a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) needs to measure the effectiveness of the compliance program.  It is important to develop realistic and meaningful metrics for a compliance program. Demonstrating that a compliance program...

People love to give advice – they love to tell people what to do (and hear themselves talk).   In order to be effective, compliance professionals have to be able to “listen.”  That means more than just being polite and paying attention when people speak.  The ability to “listen” means a willingness to consider new ideas, alternative strategies and approaches to compliance issues. We all know...

The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau continues to spread its wings in the enforcement arena.  It is an agency born and confined in political controversy.  The Director of the CFPB’s recess appointment and legal status is up in the air and on appeal before the courts.  Republicans on Capitol Hill continue to conduct oversight and pressure the CFPB on its regulatory authority and actions. Despite all...