Baker & McKenzie Strengthens CIS Corporate Compliance Group

 

Thomas Firestone joins Baker & McKenzie from the US Department of Justice, where he served as Resident Legal Adviser at the US Embassy in Moscow and as an Assistant US Attorney in the Eastern District of New York. As Resident Legal Adviser, he worked to improve US–Russian law enforcement cooperation, implemented technical assistance programs aimed at strengthening the rule of law in Russia and advised the US Government on policy issues relating to crime and corruption in Russia. He also conducted training programs for Russian officials from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) and other enforcement agencies and worked with the Duma and Presidential Administration on the drafting of new criminal legislation.

 

Fluent in Russian, Mr. Firestone was also a frequent speaker at private and public sector conferences on issues related to anti-corruption compliance and taught courses at a local law school on corporate crime and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He was twice awarded the Embassy’s Superior Honor Award, as well as a special award from the FAS for his work promoting US–Russian cooperation in the area of antitrust enforcement. As an Assistant US Attorney, he specialized in the investigation and prosecution of white-collar and organized crime cases, particularly those with a transnational aspect. Mr. Firestone has a degree from Harvard Law School.

 

“With his already outstanding record of achievement and long standing involvement in the areas of compliance, anti-corruption and effective risk management in this region, Tom is set to be a key player in our market-leading CIS Compliance group,” said Paul Melling, founding partner of the Firm’s Almaty and Moscow offices.

 

“I am delighted to be joining such a strong practice and look forward to using both my CIS and prosecutorial experience to help companies comply with all relevant anti-corruption legislation,” said Mr. Firestone.

 

At Baker & McKenzie, Thomas Firestone will focus on internal compliance audits and investigations, training local personnel and third parties and development of compliance tools that satisfy both local and home jurisdiction requirements. Based in Moscow, he will work closely with the Firm’s North American offices.

 

“Corruption issues dominate the concerns of global companies doing business in emerging markets. Tom brings a tremendous knowledge of Russian business practices and great insight to assist our clients in structuring transactions to comply with the increasing demands of anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. He will also provide important support for our investigative and white-collar defense practices,” stated Richard Dean, a partner in Baker’s Washington, DC office who specializes in the FCPA.

 

Baker & McKenzie has been effectively providing multidisciplinary advice on corporate compliance in the CIS for over 20 years. The Firm’s offices in Almaty, Baku, Kyiv, Moscow and St. Petersburg provide clients with the legal knowledge and practical tools necessary to comply with anti-corruption legislation. With UK and US lawyers resident in the region, Baker & McKenzie is now a leader in all aspects of compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act in the CIS.

 

Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie advises many of the world’s most dynamic and successful business organizations through more than 4,000 locally qualified lawyers and 6,000 professional staff in 71 offices in 44 countries. The Firm is known for its global perspective, deep understanding of the local language and culture of business, uncompromising commitment to excellence, and world-class fluency in its client service. Global revenues for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2012 were USD 2.313 billion. Eduardo Leite is Chairman of the Executive Committee. (www.bakermckenzie.com)