Virginia Journal of Criminal Law Symposium to Focus on White-Collar Criminal Litigation

U.S. Department of Justice Fraud Section Chief Andrew Weissmann will speak about the changing landscape of white-collar criminal ligation at a symposium hosted by the University of Virginia School of Law on Feb. 18 in Caplin Pavilion.

“Complex White-Collar Litigation: Fraud and Compliance,” sponsored by the Virginia Journal of Criminal Law, will explore criminal prosecution and related issues, including congressional investigations, civil suits and the recent changes set forth by the DOJ. Beginning at 10:15 a.m. with opening remarks by Appellate Litigation Clinic director Stephen Braga, the symposium will include two panels, and Weissmann will deliver the keynote address at noon.

“From Enron to FIFA to Volkswagen, the Department of Justice recently changed its approach to prosecuting white-collar cases, and with that change comes a huge adjustment to how defense attorneys and compliance officers are preparing and defending their clients,” said symposium organizer Allie Thornton, a second-year law student.

Weissmann, chief of the Fraud Section, in the DOJ's Criminal Division, has also served as director of the Enron Task Force and as general counsel for the FBI.

Before joining the DOJ, Weissmann supervised the prosecution of more than 30 people in connection with Enron’s collapse in 2001.

As a New York federal prosecutor and co-head of a white-collar criminal law group, Weissmann prosecuted numerous members of the Colombo, Gambino and Genovese families that dominated organized crime activities. Weissmann also won the largest Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration award in history for his work in criminal law.

Complex White-Collar Litigation: Fraud and Compliance

Thursday, Feb. 18

All events are in Caplin Pavilion.

9:30 a.m. 
Breakfast

10:15 a.m. 
Opening Remarks 
Stephen Braga, Professor of Law, General Faculty; Director, Appellate Litigation Clinic, University of Virginia School of Law

10:30 a.m.
Panel 1: White-Collar Defense and Collateral Effects

  • Leslie Kiernan, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld
  • F. Joseph Warin, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher; Chair, Washington, D.C., Litigation Department
  • Alex Bourelly, Partner, Baker Botts; Practice Group Chair, Securities Regulation and Enforcement (Firmwide)
  • Moderator: Stephen Braga, Professor of Law, General Faculty; Director, Appellate Litigation Clinic, University of Virginia School of Law

11:45 a.m.-Noon
Break

Noon 
Lunch/Keynote 
Andrew Weissmann, Chief of the Fraud Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice

1 p.m.  
Panel 2: Compliance and Ethics

  • Mark F. Mendelsohn '93, Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison; Co-Chair, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Group
  • Timothy J. Heaphy '91, Partner, Hunton & Williams; Chair, White-Collar Defense and Internal Investigations Practice
  • Alexandre H. Rene, Partner, Ropes & Gray
  • ModeratorBrandon Garrett, Justice Thurgood Marshall Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law\

 

Founded in 1819, the University of Virginia School of Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the nation. Consistently ranked among the top law schools, Virginia is a world-renowned training ground for distinguished lawyers and public servants, instilling in them a commitment to leadership, integrity and community service.