Laura represents businesses and executives responding to government investigations, criminal charges, civil actions and regulatory inquiries in a variety of enforcement areas.

Laura serves as the head of the firm’s white collar defense and internal investigations team. She represents clients in matters involving allegations of financial crime, corruption, money laundering, and violations of the civil and criminal False Claims Act (FCA). She conducts internal investigations, advises on a range of compliance issues and provides defense representation for multinational and domestic corporations.

In 2015, Global Investigations Review, an annual guide to the world's leading firms for corporate investigations, named Laura one of the top 100 Women in investigations “who are achieving great things in a competitive and notoriously tough area of law.”

Prior to joining the firm, Laura served for 15 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia. She served as lead counsel for numerous federal jury trials and successfully argued five cases before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. During her tenure, she was assigned to the Monetary Penalties Unit responsible for criminal and civil asset forfeiture, and preserving assets for restitution in complex fraud cases. She was the lead prosecutor for a Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance task force targeting terrorist financing and money laundering, and previously served as the district identity theft coordinator.

From 1999 to 2007, Laura served as a JAG Officer in the United States Army Reserve. Her service included an assignment to the Contract Appeals Division handling procurement fraud matters and debarment proceedings.

Representative Matters

FCPA and Anti-Corruption

• Conducted internal investigation for global retailer regarding allegations of corruption and self-dealing involving Asia operations.
• Conducted internal investigation for global service company to address allegations involving the provision of free services to government officials and corruption in the bid process for suppliers.
• Provided FCPA risk assessment and anti-corruption training for a global company targeting marketing/sales operations in Latin America.
• Developed FCPA and anti-corruption training for a global company’s operations in China, to include guidance on risks associated with global security logistics.
• Represented Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of global manufacturing company as individuals in an investigation involving allegations of bribes and kickbacks to government employees.
• Conducted internal investigation and liability assessment for government contractor to address allegations of kickbacks and time mischarging associated with direct and indirect contracts with the government.

AML and Economic Sanctions

• Advised global financial institution on cross-border issues related to requests for documents issued by AML regulators.
• Advised on application of BSA/AML requirements for non-bank entities including investment companies and hedge funds, residential mortgage loan originators (RMLOs), public REITS and prepaid access providers.
• Advised global financial institution on cross border issues related to the implementation of centralized solution to manage OFAC compliance.
• Conducted targeted due diligence to assess OFAC risks and issues involving beneficial ownership in the context of complex real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions and investment funds.
• Conducted privileged vulnerability assessment for AML/OFAC compliance for a financial institution following receipt of a Matters Requiring Attention (MRA) letter; developed and implemented remedial measures.

False Claims Act Defense

• Defended a health care company in a qui tam action filed under the civil False Claims Act alleging over $300 million in upcoding and violations of the Stark law and anti-kickback statute.
• Conducted internal investigation and audit for hospital system to address potential liability under the civil FCA based on improper billing practices and lack of documentation.
• Conducted internal investigation and audit for hospital system to address potential liability under the civil FCA based on allegations of performed surgical procedures without medical necessity.
• Represented home health care provider and executive in an investigation for improper billing practices and violations under the civil and criminal FCA.

Asset Forfeiture and Recovery

• Advised foreign based holding company on a transnational civil asset forfeiture matter and provided risk analysis regarding the filing of third party claim.
• Advised client on recovery of assets located in the US and traceable to crimes committed abroad, including civil discovery methods in aid of recovery and making a criminal referral to federal law enforcement agencies.
• Represented global media company in asset recovery matter involving high value digital media and archives. Coordinated civil litigation and advocacy with federal authorities to recover the assets.
• Represented large financial institution in a civil forfeiture action where DOJ was seeking direct recovery from the bank for assets removed by accountholders involved in money laundering. Resolved the matter through a civil settlement with full release of criminal, civil and administrative liability.
• Advised lienholders on the assertion of rights as a third party claimant in connection with a civil forfeiture proceeding against real property, including guidance on “innocent owner” defense to civil forfeiture, and remission and restoration procedures for purposes of restitution.

Bar Admissions

Education
JD, University of Richmond School of Law, University of Richmond Law Review, 1994BA, American Government, University of Virginia, 1991