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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

Helen Hwang

Partner

Shanghai +86 21 6036 2520

English
  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Helen Hwang focuses her practice on counseling clients through complex and sensitive anti-corruption internal investigations and investigations by government enforcement authorities, such as the DOJ and SEC.

    She also advises clients across a range of industries on the corruption risks of proposed transactions and how to build and improve their compliance programs.

    Helen co-leads the firm’s Asia compliance and investigations practice. She also serves as the Shanghai lead for the firm’s Women’s Forum.

    Helen advises clients on both compliance and investigations matters, and regularly:

    • assists clients with navigating sensitive investigations, conducting anti-corruption due diligence as part of transactions, and enhancing compliance programs tailored to the client’s specific risk profile and business needs.
    • represents clients across a range of major industries, including technology, life sciences, entertainment, aerospace and defense, gaming, and retail.

    Helen’s pro bono work includes advising non-profits focused on improving educational access to disadvantaged students through online tutoring, assisting families with adoptions, pursuing asylum for juvenile victims of violence, and helping victims of domestic violence.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a Fortune 500 global gaming and integrated resort company's Audit Committee into alleged FCPA violations in Macau and Mainland China, and represented the Audit Committee in parallel DOJ and SEC investigations.
    • Conducted risk assessment focused on anti-corruption and trade controls risks for a major technology company.
    • Conducted internal investigation into allegations of connected hiring in Asia.
    • Counseled a major film company on anti-corruption compliance related to projects in Asia.
    • Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a global construction and engineering company into potential FCPA violations in Latin America.
    • Counseled a Fortune 200 consumer goods company on anti-corruption compliance for a large M&A transaction, including pre-acquisition diligence and post-acquisition integration efforts in Africa, India, Europe, and Latin America.

    • Represented an aerospace and defense manufacturer in a DOJ False Claims Act investigation of alleged failure to comply with MIL-SPEC requirements for testing and qualification.
    • Represented a technology company in various criminal and civil regulatory investigations by SEC, DOJ, FTC, state AGs, and other regulators.
    • Represented a Special Committee of the board of directors of a technology company in an internal investigation involving allegations of a dysfunctional workplace culture and ineffective internal controls.
    • Represented a Special Committee of the board of directors of a national retailer in an internal investigation involving workplace culture issues.
    • Counseled a leading Medicare Advantage organization in connection with an internal investigation into alleged anti-kickback statute and false claims violations.
    • Represented a senior elected official in a federal political corruption investigation, which resulted in prosecutors declining to bring charges.
    • Represented a multinational oil and gas company in multiple government investigations concerning environmental and worker safety issues stemming from an incident at one of its refineries.
    • Represented a major financial institution in Fair Housing Act litigation brought by the City Attorney.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, J.D.
        • Order of the Coif
        • UCLA Law Review, Chief Executive Editor
    • Stanford University, M.A.
    • Stanford University, B.S.
        • with Honors, Symbolic Systems with a Concentration in Human-Computer Interaction
    Bar Admissions
    • California
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Central District of California
    Languages
    • Mandarin
    Pro Bono
    • Represented a juvenile applying for asylum.
    • Assisted multiple families with adoption proceedings.
    • Volunteered at LACBA’s Domestic Violence Clinic.
    Accolades
    • Global Investigations Review, "Women in Investigations" (2021)
    • China Business Law Awards, Anti-bribery and Anti-corruption Firm of the Year - International Firms (2020)

    Areas of Expertise

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