Doug Davison

Partner, Washington, D.C.

“With over 25 years of experience, I focus on investigations and compliance matters, advocating for clients, managing risk and, where required, ensuring the survival of their business. I draw on my experience as a former SEC enforcement supervisor and counsel to a former SEC chairman, and provide calm, pragmatic counselling to clients in the most challenging business situations.”

Overview

Professional experience

Education and qualifications

Published works

Overview

Doug represents clients in cross-border proceedings, including alleged securities fraud, FCPA matters, regulatory compliance, US economic sanctions and disclosure issues. Doug has been deeply involved in helping clients identify and mitigate potential risks arising from US primary and secondary economic sanctions in connection with global transactions, including most recently related to Ukraine/Russia, Iran and Venezuela-related SDN designations. Additionally, Doug specializes in counselling clients through franchise threatening crises arising from regulatory matters.

Doug previously served as counsel to former SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt. Prior to that, Doug served as a staff attorney and then supervisor in the SEC's division of enforcement. Doug has been selected as a leading attorney in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business; named as one of Securities Docket’s “Enforcement 40,” a list of the 40 best and brightest individuals in the securities enforcement field; and recognized as a “recommended lawyer” for corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense by Legal 500 US.

Work highlights

Doug has advised clients in many SEC, DOJ, CFTC and OFAC-related matters. These include advising:

  • corporate and individual clients in FCPA investigations of hiring practices in high risk jurisdictions
  • a subject in US Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation
  • South African-based companies involving accounting, internal controls, and disclosure matters
  • a large Latin American bank in connection with a cyber incident
  • global financial services companies and their employees in regulatory investigations of money laundering, insider trading, supervision, controls, and other issues involving international and domestic clients
  • a multinational technology company in OFAC-related matters, including securing a business-critical operating license from OFAC.
  • a global accounting firm in connection with SEC and DOJ securities fraud cases
  • a global financial services firm in connection with regulatory inquiries regarding supervision of an employee who perpetrated a fraudulent investment scheme; no enforcement action taken
  • a global oil and gas company in connection with parallel SEC and DOJ criminal investigations arising from an accident in the Gulf of Mexico
  • a global financial services firm in an CFTC investigation of supervision of system for processing exchange and clearing fees
  • a U.S. energy construction and engineering company in an SEC investigation of revenue recognition and internal controls
  • a global financial services firm and employees in regulatory investigations connected with derivatives trading, internal controls and disclosure issues
  • an individual in an SEC investigation into pension disclosures; no enforcement action taken
  • a foreign derivatives exchange in an SEC investigation that resulted in a 21(a) report, rather than an enforcement action and civil penalty
  • numerous investment advisory firms and individuals in SEC insider trading inquiries in which no enforcement actions were taken

Professional experience

Previously, Doug was chair of the corporate counsel committee of the Washington D.C. Bar's corporation, finance and securities law Section. He has been an adjunct professor at the George Washington University School of Law, where he taught a course on securities regulation. He has also served as a mentor to students of the Pennsylvania State University, the Dickinson School of Law and the Smeal College of Business at the Pennsylvania State University.

Doug has been an active volunteer on behalf of the Children's National Medical Center, and has regularly participated in the Be Brave & Shave initiative, which provides support, raises awareness and assists a blood and marrow transplantation program.

Doug regularly speaks at conferences and to the press about SEC enforcement and related issues, and publishes articles about emerging regulatory issues:

Notable Press Coverage:
Conferences and Seminars:

Education and qualifications

Doug holds a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University.

Doug is a member of the District of Columbia and Pennsylvania State Bars, United States.

Published works