Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense: Recent Developments and Hot Topics

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST

Agenda:

10:30 – 10:35 a.m.
Introduction: Taft’s Compliance, Investigation, and White Collar Defense Team

Ralph Kohnen

10:35 – 10:55 a.m.
Forecasting 2026: DOJ and FTC Enforcement Trends and Policy Shifts

Taft partners Jeanne Cors and Ralph Kohnen will provide insights into the potential enforcement priorities of the DOJ and FTC in 2026, as well as review recent actions, including several significant policy changes and proposed rules.

Speakers: Jeanne Cors and Ralph Kohnen

10:55 – 11:15 a.m.
Guarding the Gates: Protecting Privilege During Investigations

Privilege is one of the central issues in an investigation. From the beginning to the end of an investigation, there must be ongoing consideration of the application of privilege. This discussion will focus on the crucial considerations for maintaining attorney-client privilege throughout the investigative process, including:

• the importance of attorney-client privilege and its critical role in safeguarding the confidentiality of investigative findings;
• how to assert and preserve privilege from the outset of an investigation, through the investigative stages, to the preparation of final reports; and
• advice on briefing stakeholders, fulfilling disclosure obligations, and implementing corrective actions.

Speakers: Nancy DePodesta and John R. Mitchell 

11:15 – 11:35 a.m.
Unraveling the Link: How Anti–Money Laundering Laws Power Fraud Investigations

Taft partners Pete Deegan and Kristen Frost will clarify the often-misunderstood connection between money laundering and fraud, highlighting how the government uses anti–money laundering laws to investigate fraud and recover assets.

Speakers: Pete Deegan and Kristen Frost

11:35 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.
Navigating Customs Compliance in the New Trade Enforcement Era

The current administration’s increased use of tariffs as a foreign policy tool has added significant complexity to customs compliance. Importers now face unprecedented scrutiny regarding import classifications, the application of exclusions, and penalties for both intentional and unintentional errors. Additionally, with the DOJ’s new Trade Fraud Task Force leveraging the False Claims Act, importers face increased enforcement risks. Russell Menyhart and Jason Covert will discuss key CBP requirements, common penalties, and what to expect when receiving a Notice of Proposed Action or CID from DOJ.

Speakers: Jason Covert and Russell Menyhart 

11:55 a.m. – 12:10 p.m.
From Pause to Pivot: How the 2025 DOJ FCPA Guidelines are Redefining Corporate Compliance

The current administration has taken a dramatically different approach in FCPA enforcement than prior administrations. The Department of Justice initially paused FCPA enforcement in February 2025 and then resumed enforcement in June 2025, introducing new guidelines that shifted priorities. This discussion examines those changes and their impact on legal practitioners and clients.

Speakers: Carly Chocron and Trent Sandifur 

12:10 – 12:30 p.m.
Inside the Courts: The Latest on Important White Collar Cases

Dave Thomas and Katie Wallrabenstein will provide an update on pending cases in the United States Supreme Court, as well as Courts of Appeal and District Courts, that are relevant for white collar criminal practitioners.

Speakers: Dave Thomas and Katie Wallrabenstein

Questions? Contact Megan Riley at mriley@taftlaw.com.

This webinar is pending approval for Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Ohio CLE credits. There is no cost to attend.