Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

On October 22, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced it had settled enforcement actions with four current or former public companies for making materially misleading disclosures regarding cybersecurity risks and intrusions. The charges brought by the SEC stemmed from an investigation involving public companies potentially impacted by the SolarWinds Orion software compromise. Full background: https://lnkd.in/eaFM4bWj

On November 12, partner Elliot Gluck will participate on the panel titled “Bylaws: The Best Available Method to Protect Long-Term Retail Investors from Activist Attacks.” The event is part of the 2024 Closed-End Fund Conference, hosted by the Investment Company Institute. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/erJmekbj

Willkie was proud to support the recent National Women’s Law Center Gala in Washington, DC. This year’s theme was “The Power of Us.” The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice—in the courts, in public policy, and in our society—working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls. Pictured here are Elizabeth Bower, who serves on NWLC’s Leadership Advisory Committee, Melanie Medina, Fiona Carroll, Linda E. “Ellie” Halfacre, Natalia Benitez, Gabrielle (Gabe) Crofford, Fatou Jallow, Minji Doh, Meghan Olivar, Lauren Lehner and Lauren McNerney. 

Last week, we hosted our annual Jack Nusbaum Staff Professionals Recognition Reception to toast the six new members of the 25 Year Club and celebrate milestone anniversaries from 5 to 55 years of service. The event is named after Jack Nusbaum, who served as Willkie’s Chairman from 1987 through 2009. Thanks to all who joined the event, and congratulations to everyone celebrating a milestone year!

A Willkie pro bono team has been recognized by The AmLaw Litigation Daily with a “Shout Out” for the latest development in Willkie’s ongoing representation of pro bono clients and former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. On October 22, Judge Lewis J. Liman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ordered Rudy Giuliani to surrender his apartment and other assets to Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss to begin to satisfy the $148.1 million defamation verdict a Willkie pro bono team and co-counsel Protect Democracy secured on their behalf in 2023. The Willkie team that secured the asset turnover and enforcement of the judgment against Giuliani was led by counsel Aaron Nathan and partner Michael Gottlieb, and included partner Meryl Governski (Conant) and associates M. Annie Houghton-Larsen, J. Tyler Knoblett, Lily Grisafi, Alexis Dorner, Perri Haser and Maggie MacCurdy. Willkie was joined by a team from Protect Democracy led by John Langford. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ejuW5zxP

We were proud to once again support the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA) Annual Charity Auction. Proceeds from this year’s event will support the Washington Jesuit Academy and the FCBA Foundation. Over the past 34 years, the Charity Auction has raised funds for DC-based charities. Willkie associates Cassandra Vangellow, Justin McCuen, and Matthew Uvas served on this year’s Auction Committee, and Serena Lau volunteered at the event. Pictured here is Matt, associate Ellen Clements, Cassandra and Justin.

In recognition of Pro Bono Week, Willkie held thought-provoking presentations this week highlighting our work on matters involving election protection, children’s rights, housing rights, and criminal justice. We held sessions discussing our work with organizations including The Legal Aid Society, VoteRiders, Alliance for Children's Rights, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), and Education Law Center, among others. We also heard from participants in our externships and fellowships with Her Justice, Mobilization for Justice, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and NYC Fellows Program. Thanks to all participating in and attending the programs across our U.S. offices! #probono #celebrateprobono Pictured: Gabriel Acri, Reginald Stewart, Ferdinand Suba, Jr. and James Dugan discussed the various election protection efforts Willkie led this past year, joined by Ciara Sisco and Stacey Kushlefsky. Sophia Khorshad (Farruggia), John Brennan, Stacey Kushlefsky, Kaydene Grinnell and Philip Dalgarno discussed externship and fellowship programs available at Willkie. Cindy Chernuchin and Vishal Sharoff shared their experiences assisting low-income New Yorkers through Legal Services NYC’s One Shot Deal clinic and New York Legal Assistance Group's Mobile Legal Help Center, respectively. Philip F. DiSanto and Kat Higginbotham discussed their work with The Children's Law Center. 

Willkie has again been recognized among the leading corporate firms in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 Latin America, an annual guide to the top international law firms in the Latin America market. Willkie was ranked in the International Firms: Corporate and M&A category. The publication highlighted Anna Martini G. Pereira, Chair of the Latin America Practice Group and a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department, and Jorge Kamine, Co-Chair of the Project Finance & Investment and a partner in the Corporate & Financial Services Department, as market leaders. It also noted partner Jennifer Carlson ’s extensive experience in capital markets transactions in the Latin America region.   Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e2Y8e-vr

In recent years, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission has expressed concern about the lack of cohesive product standards and the potential for fraud within the voluntary carbon markets. Just this month, the CFTC announced its first enforcement actions against a voluntary carbon credit project developer and two of its executives for violating the antifraud provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act and issued orders settling charges against the company and one of its executives. Full background: https://lnkd.in/ekVRVUqt

On November 6, partner Adam Aderton will participate on the panel titled “Financial Firm Focus – The SEC’s Enforcement Priorities for Asset Managers, Broker-Dealers, Private Funds and Hedge Funds.” The event is part of the Securities Enforcement Forum D.C. 2024, hosted by Securities Docket in Washington, DC. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dzNFCSn8