Jeffrey W. Cottle

Full Profile

Jeffrey W. Cottle focuses on white collar crime and compliance matters, with particular emphasis on fraud, corruption, anti-money laundering, trade sanctions, and export controls. Jeff supports a global client base on complex, multi-jurisdictional matters and helps organizations navigate regulatory and enforcement risk with clarity and confidence.

Jeff regularly conducts internal investigations into potential breaches of company policies and law, and defends clients in investigations brought by external regulators and enforcement agencies. These include the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the UK Serious Fraud Office, the UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, the US Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the US Bureau of Industry and Security, and other enforcement bodies across Europe and beyond.

Advising on every aspect of compliance program design and implementation, Jeff’s work includes training, risk assessments, due diligence on third parties, and monitoring and audit protocols. He also has extensive experience of compliance issues arising in mergers and acquisitions, including post-merger compliance integration. He focuses on delivering practical, actionable solutions to both strategic and operational compliance challenges, particularly in higher risk markets and situations.

Before moving into private practice, Jeff held senior in-house compliance counsel roles at major corporations headquartered in the US, Europe, and Australia. He has led compliance and anti-corruption functions for companies operating in higher risk jurisdictions across Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and Latin America. He has contributed to critical decision making at every level of management, from strategic board level discussions to operational issues at remote work locations.

Jeff is a dual citizen of the US and the UK, and he is qualified to practice in both jurisdictions. He is a retired Commander in the US Navy, having served as a decorated US Naval Intelligence officer in operations around the globe.

Admissions

• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales

Education

• J.D., University of Virginia School of Law
• B.A., magna cum laude, Georgetown University

Memberships

• Governor, Board of Governors, St. Mary’s University Twickenham, London
• Chair, Global Compliance Forum, Dublin and Frankfurt
• Chair, Speaker, Thought Leader Global, Amsterdam
• Chair, Speaker, C-5 Anti-corruption Nordics, Oslo, Stockholm
• Speaker, Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, Copenhagen
• Speaker, Cercle de le Compliance, Paris

Experience

• Represented Norwegian publicly held technology company, specializing in semiconductor development, in the acquisition of a US semiconductor firm with ITAR-controlled technology, pursuant to CFIUS requirements.
• Represent international issuer, reporting to the CCO and Board of Directors, in connection with a global investigation into potential breaches of ITAR, Export Administration, and Federal Acquisition regulations, as well as related criminal statutes.