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Jennifer H. Saperstein

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5682

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Co-chair of Covington’s Anti-Corruption practice, Jennifer Saperstein is an experienced compliance counselor who advises clients on anti-corruption, anti-bribery, and ethics issues. She is also a key member of the firm’s Institutional Culture and Social Responsibility practice.

    Named a Compliance “Rising Star” by Law360, Jennifer frequently conducts risk assessments and compliance program assessments, and develops anti-corruption compliance programs for clients across a wide range of industries. She has particular experience implementing technology-based solutions to enhance compliance programs, including the use of data analytics and systems for third party management. As part of her practice, Jennifer regularly assists companies with anti-corruption due diligence and compliance integration in connection with acquisitions, asset purchases, joint ventures, and other investment transactions. She regularly coordinates cross-cutting compliance projects to help companies build and improve their compliance programs across areas of regulatory expertise, bringing together teams of regulatory experts to provide integrated advice and implement compliance program best practices. Jennifer also frequently leads compliance workstreams in connection with significant government enforcement matters to help mitigate the impact of criminal and civil investigations and enforcement actions.

    Drawing on her experience conducting risk and compliance program assessments, Jennifer advises clients in matters involving institutional culture and social responsibility. In recent years, she has assisted boards committees and management of large institutions in conducting complex investigations regarding institutional racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices. She is often called upon to assist with investigations of misconduct, workplace culture assessments, and civil rights audits.

    Jennifer has been described by the Chief Compliance Officer at one of her Fortune 500 clients as “the rare outside counsel who really understands what it is like to work in-house at a company where we have to balance risk with business needs.”

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    Anti-Corruption and Cross-Disciplinary Compliance

    • Advising multinational companies and associations in creating and implementing tailored anti-corruption policies and procedures.
    • Performing anti-corruption risk assessments for companies and associations in a diverse range of industries, including life sciences, energy, consumer products, personal care, food and beverage, gaming, technology, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and financial services.
    • Advising multinational companies on building and enhancing compliance functions, implementing integrated compliance programs, and facilitating compliance monitoring through use of data analytics.
    • Advising companies on third party integrity due diligence processes, designing criteria and procedures for diligence, assisting with selection of outside diligence vendors, and providing counseling advice on specific vendors.
    • Conducting targeted anti-corruption due diligence in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and investments.
    • Providing ongoing counseling to dozens of clients on anti-corruption issues.

    Institutional Culture and Social Responsibility

    • Represented a committee of the Board of Trustees of Seattle Children's Hospital in an independent examination of institutional racism, equity, inclusion, and diversity practices at the hospital.
    • Conducted a racial equity audit for Citi assessing the design and implementation of its commitments to address the racial wealth gap.
    • Conducting a racial equity audit for a multinational pharmaceutical company.

    Government and Internal Investigations

    • Representing a multinational pharmaceutical company before DOJ and the SEC in an FCPA investigation.
    • Representing a motor vehicle manufacturer in an investigation into allegations of misconduct and false statements with respect to U.S. environmental laws.
    • Obtained declination from the DOJ for a transportation and logistics company in an Anti-Kickback Act investigation by the DOJ.
    • Conducted internal investigations for Fortune 50 companies, both in the U.S. and abroad, in connection with potential violations of the FCPA.
    • Served as counsel to a major multinational company in a DOJ investigation into a potential violation of the False Claims Act.

     

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • New York University School of Law, J.D., 2008
        • magna cum laude
        • Order of the Coif
        • New York University Law Review, Articles Editor
    • Duke University, A.B., 2005
        • summa cum laude
        • Phi Beta Kappa
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • New York
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Harry T. Edwards, U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, 2009 - 2010
    Pro Bono
    • Representing plaintiff in challenge to agency rule-making. 
    • Represented plaintiff in § 1983 action against police and prosecutors in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana arising out of wrongful conviction and alleged Brady violations.
    • Successfully represented defendant charged with multiple homicides in state court proceedings.
    Accolades
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • The Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, Advisory Board Member
    • Women’s White Collar Defense Association, Member

    Areas of Expertise

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