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Melanie Reed’s practice focuses on anti-corruption, international, and white collar issues. Ms. Reed has assisted a variety of clients with a range of issues relating to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and other laws governing interactions with foreign government officials. In particular, she has conducted internal investigations and legal audits of potential FCPA issues, conducted preacquisition due diligence of corruption-related risks, and helped clients develop and implement policies, procedures, and internal controls aimed at preventing and detecting corruption. She also has assisted in U.S. government investigations of potential FCPA issues.
In addition to her FCPA work, Ms. Reed assists clients on corruption and ethics issues related to interactions with U.S. government officials. Ms. Reed provides regular advice to clients regarding the Lobbying Disclosure Act, the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and federal and state campaign finance and ethics rules. She also has assisted companies in auditing legal compliance and developing internal company guidelines dealing with such laws. Ms. Reed has a particular expertise in state and local laws regulating political contributions from public contractors (so-called “pay-to-play laws”), as well as the implications of such laws for companies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Representative Matters
- Advise multiple international companies in creating and implementing worldwide anti-corruption programs.
- Investigated potential FCPA issues related to an international company's sales under the UN Oil for Food Program.
- Provide ongoing advice to an international biotechnology company regarding compliance with United States campaign finance laws, lobbying laws, and ethics rules.
- Provide advice regarding Iranian sanctions issues and USAID source requirements to a nonprofit organization operating throughout the world.
Pro Bono
- Assisted client in obtaining FCPA opinion release from the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Advised a public law and policy group regarding international standards for voter referendums.
- Represented a victim of human trafficking in bringing civil suit against her captors.
- Provided immigration law advice to an Iraqi national who provided translation services to U.S. Forces in Iraq for over eighteen months.
Publications and Speeches
- "Thinking About Cutting Corners on FCPA Compliance? Think Again," Pharmaceutical Law & Industry Report (2/20/2009), Co-Author
- "The Country of Origin of Imported Merchandise and Marking Requirements," chapter in U.S. Customs - A Practitioner's Guide to Principles, Processes, and Procedures (2009), Co-Author
- "Regulating Political Contributions by State Contractors: The First Amendment and State Pay-to-Play Legislation," 34 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 635 (2008), Author
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