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William D. Semins

Partner
Pittsburgh
+1.412.355.8973
Fax +1.412.355.6501
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Primary Practice

Secondary Practices

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2002
  • A.B., Princeton University, 1993, (cum laude)

Admissions

  • Bar of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
  • Overview
  • Additional Background
  • Representative Work
Mr. Semins advises companies with business in foreign countries on matters involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and global ethical supply chain risk and has conducted internal corporate investigations as well as investigations into prospective and existing foreign agents and business partners in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, and South America. In addition to helping clients develop effective anti-corruption compliance programs to detect and prevent potential problems, he has represented clients in matters before the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Achievements

  • 2010 Pennsylvania Rising Star
  • 2011 Pennsylvania Rising Star

Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “Compliance & Risk Management Strategy Session: Evolving Your Program to Manage the Convergence of Anti-Corruption, Fraud, AML and Economic Sanctions Risks,” 35th Annual International Conference on the FCPA (ACI), Washington, D.C., November 28, 2018
  • Presenter, “M&A and Joint Venture Case Studies: The Latest, Most Overlooked Due Diligence and Post-Acquisition Mistakes to Avoid Moving Forward,” ACI’s 34th International Conference on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in Washington, D.C., November 2017
  • Presenter, “Global Supply Chain Risk: Corporate Exposure for Human Trafficking, Forced Labor and Human Rights Abuses,” K&L Gates Webinar, October 24, 2017
  • Presenter, “DOJ/SEC Enforcement Trends 2017,” a PwC event, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2017
  • Presenter, “How to Build a Relationship without Committing a Crime: Analyzing Political Contributions, Sponsorship and Donations, Gifts, Entertainment and Hospitality Pitfalls,” ACI’s 6th Global Forum on Anti-Corruption Compliance in High Risk Markets in Washington, D.C., July 2015.
  • Presenter, “Middle East Case Study: Iraq, UAE and Saudi Arabia -- How Increased Liability and Evolving Regulatory Changes are Impacting Culture and Anti-Corruption Compliance Business in the Region,” ACI’s 3rd Global Anti-Corruption Regulatory and Enforcement Update in Washington, D.C., July 2015.
  • Presenter, “Russia – State of Enforcement and New Economic Sanctions Restrictions and How They Impact the Anti-Corruption Landscape in Russia,” ACI’s 3rd Global Anti-Corruption Regulatory and Enforcement Update in Washington, D.C., July 2015.
  • Presenter, “Uncovering Red Flags – How to Identify Weak Internal Financial Controls in Your Russian Operations,” at ACI’s 7th Annual Russia and CIS Summit on Anti-Corruption in Moscow, Russia, March 2015.
  • Presenter, “Russia's Amended Anti-Bribery Law: Extended Statute of Limitations, Greater Penalties and More,” Strafford Publication Webinar, November 2014.
  • Moderator, “Cracking Foreign Markets: How to Avoid Traps While Hunting for Opportunity,” Wisconsin Early Stage Symposium, Madison, WI, November 2014
  • Presenter, “Policies in Action: Tales from the Front Lines of Anti-Corruption Compliance,” Madison International Trade Association, Madison, WI, November 2014.
  • Presenter, “Emerging Trends in Anti-Corruption Compliance,” Moscow Business Leaders Roundtable, K&L Gates event, Moscow Russia, September 2014.
  • Presenter, “US & EU Export Controls and the Impact of Sanctions,” Moscow Business Leaders Roundtable, K&L Gates event, Moscow, Russia, September 2014.
  • Presenter, “Doing Business in India,” K&L Gates Webinar, May 2014.
  • Presenter, “Update on the UK Bribery Act and Enforcement Environment in the UK and Russia,” American Leaders Conference: Anti-Corruption Compliance in Practice, Washington, DC, April 2014.
  • Presenter, “FCPA and the Newly Amended Anti-Bribery Law in Russia: Compliance Strategies for Expanded Enforcement of Corruption Laws,” Strafford Publication webinar, September 2013.
  • Presenter, “Russia Joins the OECD Anti-bribery Convention: What will this mean for doing business in Russia?” K&L Gates Webinar, May 2012.
  • Co-author, “FCPA and Other Anti-Corruption Concerns Facing Companies Doing Business in Argentina and Brazil,” Latin American Law and Business Report, Vol. 20, No. 11, November 2012, Reprinted for Practical Intellectual Corporate Finance Strategies, Vol. 38, No. 22, December 2012.
  • Presenter, “FCPA and Anti-Corruption in Russia: Compliance Strategies Following New OECD Relationship, Recent Enforcement Actions and Other Developments,” Strafford Publication Webinar, August 2012.
  • Presenter, “FCPA and Anti-Corruption in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States: Compliance Strategies for the Region's Unique Cultural and Governmental Intricacies,” Strafford Publications Webinar, May 2011.
  • Co-author, “FCPA: Enforcement Growing Globally,” Global Government Solutions 2010 - The Year Ahead, K&L Gates Publication.
  • Co-author, “A New Method for Regulatory Antitrust Analysis? Verizon Communications Inc. v. Trinko,” Richmond Journal of Law & Technology, October 2005.
  • Co-author, “The New FTC Disgorgement and Restitution Policy Statement: 'Exceptional' Remedies Could Lead to Exceptional Penalties,” Antitrust & Trade Regulation Update,
  • Conducted anti-corruption compliance due diligence of more than 100 agents, distributors, joint venture partners, or consultants in more than 40 different countries on behalf of multinational clients in different industries.
  • Conducted and/or supervised desktop due diligence regarding the business ethics and integrity of hundreds of global agents, distributors, joint venture partners, or consultants on behalf of multinational clients in different industries.
  • Conducted anti-corruption compliance due diligence in connection with scores of multinational mergers and acquisitions, including a $10 billion deal involving more than 700 global resellers, agents, and distributors.
  • Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a special committee of independent directors into potential FCPA violations by an employee and certain international sales agents of the law enforcement products division of a global government contractor. The investigation covered matters in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa, resulted in a self-report and representation before the DOJ and SEC, and required analysis of the equivalent of approximately 90 million pages of documents and electronic communications.
  • Conducted internal investigation involving alleged bribery and corruption in South and Central America on behalf of medical devices manufacturer.
  • Conducted several internal investigations involving potential corruption issues in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates on behalf of global oilfield services and equipment provider and security equipment manufacturer.
  • Conducted a compliance audit of Asian operations of a publicly-traded U.S. transportation and logistics company.
  • Conducted a compliance audit of Mexican operations of a publicly-traded security equipment manufacturer.
  • Prepared anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures, including training materials and third-party agreements, for clients in the following industries: mining, chemicals, security equipment, medical equipment, media and entertainment, metals, defense, real estate, manpower, textiles/garments, and electrical equipment.
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