Partner
Office
Washington, DC
San Francisco
Phone
+1 202 639 6889
+1 202 639 6889
Keisha N. Stanford is a skilled investigations lawyer, who brings more than a decade of experience representing and advising clients on white collar criminal defense matters, government enforcement and regulatory matters, and compliance.
Public and private multinational corporations and individuals seek her counsel in their most sensitive internal investigations and high-profile criminal, civil and regulatory matters. She offers deep experience representing clients before the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, US Attorneys’ Offices and State Attorneys General, paired with the ability to skillfully evaluate and identify the regulatory and compliance risks that can arise from clients’ unique business practices. Keisha’s approach is informed by her recent secondment in the Government Investigations & Special Matters team for Uber Technologies, Inc., which gave her a unique perspective on internal business operations and how to best work with corporate legal departments to resolve high-stakes matters in line with business goals and values.
Chair of the firm’s Anti-Corruption and FCPA Practice, Keisha counsels clients on a range of anti-corruption compliance issues, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act (UKBA). She develops and enhances compliance programs for publicly held and private corporate clients, provides on-site risk assessment of clients’ domestic and foreign operations, and assists with compliance-related due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions. She also regularly advises clients on compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and US sanctions laws administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Keisha maintains an active pro bono practice and was awarded the 2018 Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award for her work representing two civilian Department of Defense lawyers who fought to resign from representing the alleged mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing in 2000 after learning the US government serially invaded the attorney-client privilege by eavesdropping on their confidential communications with their client. Additionally, she previously served as a Law Clerk to Hon. M. Margaret McKeown on the Ninth Circuit.
Clients facing government inquiries and investigations often feel a great deal of pressure and uncertainty. I have more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate federal and state investigative matters and untangle compliance and corruption risks, so that they can emerge stronger.
Representative Matters
- Conducted onsite anti-corruption compliance audits and risks assessments in Africa and the Middle East for a Fortune 50 company in conjunction with in-house Audit and Risk Assurance teams. Our work included review of anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures, interviews of senior executives and key stakeholders, assessment of country and business risks, evaluation of third-party vendor processes, and preparation of risk assessments evaluating existing controls and recommendations for control enhancements and additions to mitigate emerging corruption-related risks.
- Conducted anti-corruption due diligence and risk assessments of proposed target companies in Africa for a Fortune 50 company in connection with contemplated mergers and acquisitions. Diligence and assessment included interviews of senior business executives and compliance personnel, as well as review of business operations. Target companies conducted operations in Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, DRC, Angola, as well as other countries throughout East and South Africa.
- Representing a private equity fund in a broad-ranging DOJ investigation related to embezzlement from a foreign sovereign wealth fund, including allegations of potential bribery, money laundering, and registration violations.
- Represented a major technology company in an investigation by the DOJ and numerous state and local government agencies into the company’s use of technology to interfere with or avoid regulatory enforcement activities in cities around the world.
- Representing major technology company in Attorney General investigations brought by multiple states regarding the accuracy of statements made to consumers.
- Led the US sanctions compliance workstream for New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) monitorship of a tier one global financial institution.
Credentials
Service / Recognition
Overview
Keisha N. Stanford is a skilled investigations lawyer, who brings more than a decade of experience representing and advising clients on white collar criminal defense matters, government enforcement and regulatory matters, and compliance.
Public and private multinational corporations and individuals seek her counsel in their most sensitive internal investigations and high-profile criminal, civil and regulatory matters. She offers deep experience representing clients before the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, US Attorneys’ Offices and State Attorneys General, paired with the ability to skillfully evaluate and identify the regulatory and compliance risks that can arise from clients’ unique business practices. Keisha’s approach is informed by her recent secondment in the Government Investigations & Special Matters team for Uber Technologies, Inc., which gave her a unique perspective on internal business operations and how to best work with corporate legal departments to resolve high-stakes matters in line with business goals and values.
Chair of the firm’s Anti-Corruption and FCPA Practice, Keisha counsels clients on a range of anti-corruption compliance issues, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the UK Bribery Act (UKBA). She develops and enhances compliance programs for publicly held and private corporate clients, provides on-site risk assessment of clients’ domestic and foreign operations, and assists with compliance-related due diligence in connection with mergers and acquisitions. She also regularly advises clients on compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and US sanctions laws administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Keisha maintains an active pro bono practice and was awarded the 2018 Albert E. Jenner Pro Bono Award for her work representing two civilian Department of Defense lawyers who fought to resign from representing the alleged mastermind behind the USS Cole bombing in 2000 after learning the US government serially invaded the attorney-client privilege by eavesdropping on their confidential communications with their client. Additionally, she previously served as a Law Clerk to Hon. M. Margaret McKeown on the Ninth Circuit.
Clients facing government inquiries and investigations often feel a great deal of pressure and uncertainty. I have more than a decade of experience helping clients navigate federal and state investigative matters and untangle compliance and corruption risks, so that they can emerge stronger.
Areas of Focus
Representative Matters
- Conducted onsite anti-corruption compliance audits and risks assessments in Africa and the Middle East for a Fortune 50 company in conjunction with in-house Audit and Risk Assurance teams. Our work included review of anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures, interviews of senior executives and key stakeholders, assessment of country and business risks, evaluation of third-party vendor processes, and preparation of risk assessments evaluating existing controls and recommendations for control enhancements and additions to mitigate emerging corruption-related risks.
- Conducted anti-corruption due diligence and risk assessments of proposed target companies in Africa for a Fortune 50 company in connection with contemplated mergers and acquisitions. Diligence and assessment included interviews of senior business executives and compliance personnel, as well as review of business operations. Target companies conducted operations in Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, DRC, Angola, as well as other countries throughout East and South Africa.
- Representing a private equity fund in a broad-ranging DOJ investigation related to embezzlement from a foreign sovereign wealth fund, including allegations of potential bribery, money laundering, and registration violations.
- Represented a major technology company in an investigation by the DOJ and numerous state and local government agencies into the company’s use of technology to interfere with or avoid regulatory enforcement activities in cities around the world.
- Representing major technology company in Attorney General investigations brought by multiple states regarding the accuracy of statements made to consumers.
- Led the US sanctions compliance workstream for New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) monitorship of a tier one global financial institution.
Credentials
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 2013
- California, 2010
Education
- Stanford Law School, JD, Stanford Supreme Court Litigation Clinic, 2010
- Emory University, MA, 2007
- Emory University, BA, summa cum laude, 2002
Clerkships
- Hon. M. Margaret McKeown, US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 2011-2012
Service / Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, 2024, 2025
- Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2025; High Honor Roll, 2024
- Jenner & Block Mentorship Award, 2020
Community
- Stanford Law School, Stanford Law Association, Co-President, 2008-2009
- Stanford Law School, Women of Stanford Law, Co-President, 2008-2009
Service to the Bar
- American Bar Association, Member, 2014-present
- DC Bar Association, Member, 2013-present
- California Bar Association, Member, 2010-present
Industry
- The Associates Committee, Board of Directors, 2016-Present
- DC Women's White Collar Group, Member, 2014-Present
- Ms. JD, Board of Directors, 2008-2012, Vice President, 2010-2012