Law.com International Quotes Kathleen Harris on Evolving Drivers of White Collar Investigations

Arnold & Porter partner Kathleen Harris, who heads firm’s London office, was quoted in the Law.com International article, “How Speak-Up Culture is Keeping White Collar Teams Busy,” discussing changes in the UK investigations landscape.

Kathleen noted that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has “quite clearly” focused in recent years on pursuing fraud cases involving “domestic harm,” leading some market participants to conclude that the agency was less focused on “global offending” and more focused on matters perceived by the public as high-profile fraud.

Kathleen also observed that white collar practices have adapted to changing client needs, explaining that firms are now focused on a broader range of investigations because “what has developed is more cultural investigations: cultural, behaviour investigations.” She further noted that increasing compliance expectations, accountability standards, and legislative developments, including the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, are generating additional investigative and advisory work as companies seek to “sense check” their compliance programs and evaluate potential concerns. Kathleen added that she expects continued scrutiny of corporate wrongdoing and does not believe that focus “is going away.”

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