Nikhila Raj Counsel

Informed by her time at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and as in-house counsel, Nikhila Raj is a globally experienced litigator, investigator, and compliance professional. With a deep knowledge of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-money laundering issues, Nikhi has successfully represented clients before domestic and international regulators, and in criminal and civil litigation issues across jurisdictions, with time on the ground in Latin America (LATAM); Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

Nikhi’s flexible and business-forward approach has led to innovative solutions and favorable resolutions for her clients. She routinely counsels corporate and individual clients on managing complex, multijurisdictional enforcement issues; handling internal and regulatory investigations; building and evaluating compliance programs; implementing creative risk solutions; and overseeing voluntary and regulator-imposed monitorships.

Before joining Perkins Coie, Nikhi served as the deputy general counsel for a billion-dollar fintech company, overseeing all its litigation and compliance issues, and responding to the needs of the C-suite. She was also a trial lawyer with the DOJ’s Fraud Section, FCPA Unit, and Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), Bank Integrity Unit. During her time with DOJ, she successfully investigated and prosecuted high-profile bribery and money laundering cases, involving, among others, the biopharmaceutical, construction, aviation, defense, and financial services industries.

While at the DOJ, Nikhi was one of the lead prosecutors in the landmark FCPA case against a prominent global investment bank and financial services firm headquartered in New York City, resulting in a $2.9 billion penalty and the bank’s first-ever guilty plea. Nikhi received the Assistant Attorney General’s Excellence in Service Award for this landmark case and recognition from the New York State Bar Association and New York County Lawyers Association for her pro bono work.

*Admitted only in California and New York.