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Phoebe Yu

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5939

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Phoebe Yu's practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, government and internal investigations, and corporate compliance. She has extensive experience representing multinational companies and Boards of Directors in criminal and civil investigations into allegations of fraud, export controls and sanctions violations, corruption and bribery, financial accounting and disclosure irregularities, and other sensitive compliance issues. She regularly represents clients before a range of federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Treasury, and various U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

    In her compliance advisory practice, Phoebe assists clients in building, implementing, and testing global compliance programs. She conducts risk assessments and counsels clients on third-party risk management and transactional due diligence. She has represented clients in compliance matters in the United States, Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America.

    Phoebe maintains an active pro bono trial practice focusing on indigent criminal defense. She has first-chaired major felony jury trials and has obtained acquittals of first-degree premediated murder and felony murder charges.

    Prior to becoming a lawyer, Phoebe was an investment banker in New York specializing in mergers and acquisitions.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters

    U.S. Government Investigations and Enforcement Actions

    • Obtained a partial declination and a no-penalty settlement from the SEC for Stanley Black & Decker for issues relating to executive perquisites.
    • Obtained a declination from DOJ for F. Hoffmann-La Roche in an FCPA investigation relating to alleged bribery in the Middle East.
    • Obtained a declination from DOJ and a favorable settlement from the SEC for Alexion Pharmaceuticals in a multi-country FCPA investigation.
    • Represented Uber Technologies as coordinating counsel across various criminal and civil regulatory investigations by the DOJ, SEC, and other regulators.
    • Represented technology companies in response to Treasury Department subpoenas seeking information about alleged export controls and sanctions issues relating to Cuba.
    • Represented a global financial institution in connection with government and internal investigations of alleged international money laundering, foreign bribery, and related issues.
    • Represented a not-for-profit corporation involved in high-profile congressional investigations relating to sex abuse issues.
    • Represented the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of a pharmaceutical company in a federal investigation relating to alleged fraud, false statements, and violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

    Internal Investigations

    • Represented global electronics manufacturer in internal investigation relating to potential shipments to Entity List parties in China.
    • Conducted internal investigations for a multinational consumer products company concerning alleged accounting irregularities, financial reporting, and Sarbanes-Oxley testing.
    • Conducted internal investigation into regulatory compliance issues for utility company.
    • Conducted internal investigation for a financial services company regarding allegations of foreign bribery.

    Anti-Corruption Compliance and Due Diligence

    • Advise multinational companies on creating and implementing anti-corruption compliance and third-party risk management programs.
    • Perform anti-corruption risk assessments for companies in a diverse range of industries, including defense, life sciences, medical devices, consumer products, and financial services.
    • Conduct anti-corruption due diligence in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 2016
        • cum laude
        • Criminal Justice Institute
    • Cornell University, B.S., 2012
        • High honors
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    Languages
    • Mandarin
    Pro Bono
    • Represent indigent criminal defendants charged with major felonies in state court proceedings.
    • First-chaired felony jury trials and obtained acquittals of first-degree premediated murder and felony murder charges.
    • Austin v. Washington Humane Society, No. 19-CA-3953 (D.C. Super. 2019). Served as lead counsel on behalf of the Humane Rescue Alliance and obtained dismissal of the opposing party’s claims.
    • Represented deaf and hard-of-hearing prisoners in Michigan in Americans with Disabilities Act and constitutional claims.
    • Supported tenants appearing before the Landlord and Tenant Branch in the Civil Division of D.C. Superior Court.
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Asian Pacific American Bar Association of D.C., former board member
    • Women's White Collar Defense Association
    • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
    Previous Experience
    • Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mergers & Acquisitions Investment Banking Analyst
    • Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, Student Prosecutor
    • U.S. Supreme Court, Office of the Counselor to Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Judicial Intern

    Areas of Expertise

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