Paul Sumilas
Sr. Associate
Fulbright & Jaworski LLP
Paul Sumilas joined the Washington D.C. office in 2011. As a senior associate, Paul focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense for both corporations and individuals, with an emphasis on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, insider trading, public corruption and federal election law.
Paul has extensive experience advising clients in relation to the FCPA and general anti-corruption compliance, including conducting internal investigations, designing and implementing compliance programs, conducting training for employees and third parties, and managing risk assessments. He has worked for multinational clients across a variety of industries (oil and energy, aerospace, telecommunications, financial services, retail, maritime) and around the world, including leading investigations and reviews in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Paul's experience includes drafting and revising anti-corruption manuals, policies, and procedures; drafting and implementing investigation plans; interviewing witnesses; managing and assisting reviews of books and records; managing document collections, reviews, and productions; and preparing investigation reports and presentations for clients and government agencies.
Previously, Paul practiced law in the Washington D.C. office of an international law firm.
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Education
2007 - J.D., William & Mary School of Law
2007 - M.B.A. College of William & Mary
2001 - B.A., Psychology, Georgetown University
Paul was admitted to practice law in Virginia in 2007 and in Washington D.C. and before the Eastern District of Virginia in 2008.
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Representative experience
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Conducted a risk-based assessment of a Fortune 50 company's international operations for potential anti-corruption issues and conducted on-site reviews in Asia, including over 30 interviews
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Designed corporate compliance programs for clients, including drafting manuals, policies, and procedures, conducting training and advising clients on an ongoing basis
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Managed a complex FCPA internal investigation for a large, multinational company involving Latin America and Europe, including designing investigation plan, interviewing high level executive, and preparing presentations for the company's board of directors
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Managed internal investigation for oil and gas services company resulting from allegations of FCPA violations that required extensive documents collection across Asia and in the United States, over 50 witness interviews, multiple DOJ meetings, and advising the client on enhancing its compliance program
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Conducted risk assessment for U.S. public company's Mexican operations following allegations of FCPA and Mexican anti-corruption law violations
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Advised U.S.-based company under investigation by Indian government authorities for alleged bribe payments Advised U.S.-based company under investigation by Indian government authorities for alleged bribe payments
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Advised client in relation to third-party subpoena requesting documents and information related to FCPA investigation conducted by the SEC§ Advised client in relation to third-party subpoena requesting documents and information related to FCPA investigation conducted by the SEC
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Analyzed a Fortune 50 company's international operations for potential FCPA risk; participated in on-site reviews in Asia, including over 30 interviews; reviewed and proposed enhancements to compliance policies and procedures
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Represented a U.S. telecommunications company in a variety of false advertising cases, including Lanham Act claims in federal court and complaints in front of the National Advertising Division
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Defended an individual cooperating with a wide-ranging and high-profile federal public corruption investigation
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Defended an individual accused of violating the Federal Elections Campaign Act in both the district and circuit courts
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Represented a pro bono client in a criminal matter involving identity theft and potential immigration status issues
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Licenses
- Washington D.C. Bar License
- Virginia State Bar License