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

For more than 25 years, Doug has been representing individual and corporate clients in a range of regulatory enforcement matters involving allegations of fraud, FCPA violations, regulatory non-compliance and disclosure failures. Additionally, 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.

Doug sits on the Board of Advisors to the SEC Historical Society; is a member of the firm’s Global People Committee; sits on the Environment, Social & Governance Working Group; sits on the U.S. Diversity Committee; and sits on the Race Action Plan Steering Group. 

He is a Race Champion, a mentor in Women’s Leadership Program and a mentee in the firm’s reverse mentoring program.

Work highlights
  • Global accounting and professional services firm: defending in SEC securities fraud investigation.
  • CFO of global food consumer products company: defending in SEC accounting and financial reporting investigation.
  • Numerous corporate and individual clients: defending in SEC and DOJ FCPA investigations of hiring practices in high risk jurisdictions.
  • Global financial services companies and their employees: advising on multiple regulatory investigations of potential money laundering, insider trading, supervision, controls and other issues involving international and domestic clients.
  • Global financial services firm and employees: defending in SEC, DOJ and CFTC investigations connected with derivatives trading, internal controls and disclosure issues.
  • Multinational technology company: advising on OFAC-related matters, including securing a business-critical operating license.

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 sits on the Board of Advisors to the SEC Historical Society; is a member of the firm’s Global People Committee; sits on the Environment, Social & Governance Working Group; sits on the U.S. Diversity Committee; and sits on the Race Action Plan Steering Group. 

He is a Race Champion, a mentor in Women’s Leadership Program and a mentee in the firm’s reverse mentoring 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