Maria E. Lapetina

Maria Lapetina's practice focuses on advising clients on internal and government investigations, complex cross-border litigation, and regulatory compliance. She frequently conducts internal investigations on behalf of audit committees and special committees concerning potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, and allegations relating to potential accounting and disclosure irregularities and instances of potential insider trading. She has represented clients, including multinational companies, financial institutions, international development banks, and technology companies in connection with investigations before the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and numerous other domestic and foreign regulatory agencies. 

Ms. Lapetina's compliance practice focuses on the design and implementation of risk-based internal compliance programs for a wide range of companies. She designs and performs compliance audits and due diligence in connection with mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other strategic partnerships. She also advises companies on the design of safeguards and other measures to mitigate compliance risks arising from business transactions and third-party engagements. 

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Lapetina worked as counsel for an Am Law 200 firm where she regularly represented multinational companies, financial institutions, international development banks, and their officers and directors in connection with investigations before the SEC, DOJ, FINRA, and numerous other domestic and foreign regulatory and government bodies. Previously, she was also a litigation associate at a leading white collar boutique and at an Am Law 100 firm.

Ms. Lapetina is fluent in Spanish and regularly conducts legal matters in both English and Spanish.