Natalia Mercado Violand is an associate in the litigation and enforcement practice group. Natalia represents individuals and corporate clients in government enforcement actions and criminal and civil litigation, and conducts internal investigations, compliance risk assessments and anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and sanctions due diligence. She has represented global corporations, public companies, and financial institutions in civil and criminal investigations before the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), other U.S. federal and state authorities, as well as foreign authorities. Natalia is a native Spanish speaker.
Natalia served as a special assistant district attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts from November 2021 through June 2022. While in that position, Natalia tried numerous cases to both juries and judges, argued dozens of motions, managed approximately 200 cases, and negotiated pleas on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Natalia maintains a robust pro bono practice, including representing separated families seeking immigration relief, and indigent criminal defendants in federal court.
Experience
- Helped lead and manage the team that supported the Independent Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Monitor appointed by the DOJ in a monitorship of a commodity trading and mining company.
- Advised life sciences companies in FCPA investigations before the DOJ and SEC related to conduct in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
- Conducted and managed several investigations for a medical device manufacturer based in Europe into potential violations of the Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, FCPA, Data Privacy Laws, Company policy, and broader workplace concerns.
- Worked with several clients to identify and address contractual disputes and corruption and bribery risks arising from COVID-19.
- Represented a major South American airline in an internal investigation of potential violations of the FCPA.
- Regularly leads and conducts internal investigations for a U.S.‐based multinational medical device company involving anti-corruption issues across the globe. Advises client on implementation of compliance policies in response to investigative findings.
- Participated in team advising a U.S.-based multinational medical device company regarding its government-appointed compliance monitorship.
- Assisted team supporting independent compliance monitor in assessing the sufficiency of anti-bribery compliance controls of an aircraft manufacturer pursuant to a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the DOJ and SEC.
- Conducted an internal investigation for a Chilean salmon farming company following accusations that it had reported false data and caused environmental damage. No criminal action taken against company.
- Advised a multinational pharmaceutical company regarding allegations involving a clinical study site in Latin America.
- Regularly conducts pre-acquisition and post-acquisition anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and sanctions due diligence for large private equity firms and public companies.
- Represented and prepared defense for individual facing potential indictment by DOJ regarding potential FCPA violations in connection with international investigations into bribery and corruption by aerospace company.
- Defended independent directors of public company in state and federal shareholder derivative actions alleging breaches of fiduciary duties.