Colin Ceriello
Colin represents businesses in white-collar matters and government investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Colin Ceriello conducts internal investigations on behalf of corporations involving allegations of bribery, corruption, market integrity issues, violations of company policy, and other misconduct. Experienced in managing both multinational and small-scale investigations, Colin helps clients identify and assess potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws. He also counsels clients on preparing and implementing corporate compliance programs and appropriate remediation plans to minimize future legal exposure.
Additionally, Colin has experience representing private companies and foreign sovereigns in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration, including investor-state dispute settlement.
Prior to his career in private practice, Colin served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Judith C. McCarthy in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Boston College Law School, J.D.
- Boston College, B.A.
Bar and Court Admissions
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New York
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Massachusetts
Related Employment
- White & Case LLP, New York, NY, Associate, 2019-2022
- Office of the Corporation Counsel, Special Federal Litigation Division, New York, NY, Assistant Corporation Counsel, 2015-2018
Clerkships
- Hon. Judith C. McCarthy, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation, 2024-2025
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Government and Regulatory Investigations and Proceedings
- Represented a global financial institution in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission enforcement inquiries involving employees’ use of personal devices to send business-related communications.
- Advised multinational technology company on disclosures to authorities in relation to alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations.
- Represented chief risk officer of a quantitative hedge fund in SEC inquiry involving allegations of corporate and market misconduct.
- Represented board member of sustainability-as-a-service company in U.S. Department of Justice investigation of alleged market integrity violations and misconduct relating to the company’s carbon offset business.
- Acted as independent compliance consultant for a global financial institution and reviewed and reported on its trade surveillance program across multiple international trading venues.
- Represented global financial institutions in connection with SEC investigation of alleged channel stuffing and other market misconduct violations.
- Advised global technology company in international criminal antitrust proceedings.
Internal Investigations and Compliance Counseling
- Designed and led internal investigations into wide-ranging whistleblower allegations of FCPA violations, including allegations that client’s employees and third-party agents bribed foreign government officials.
- Conducted investigation for multinational corporation into anonymous allegations of kickbacks and bribery.
- Conducted internal investigations for multinational technology company regarding allegations of various criminal violations and violations of company policies.
- Conducted internal investigation for company regarding claims of alleged FCPA violations, including allegations that the company’s international subsidiary hired relatives of government officials to obtain or retain government contracts.
- Conducted quarterly internal investigations for global investment bank regarding employees’ use of personal devices to send business-related communications. Tailored bank’s electronic communications policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant laws.
- Drafted multinational corporations’ business and regulatory investigation manual and procedures to ensure compliance with the FCPA and related anti-corruption laws.
- Analyzed client’s existing anti-corruption and compliance programs and recommended modifications to policies, procedures, due diligence practices, and training materials to ensure compliance with the FCPA.
- Conducted anti-bribery and anti-corruption training for executives and compliance personnel of a multinational corporation.
Civil Litigation and Arbitration
- Represented multinational communications technology company in indemnification dispute resulting from sale of telecommunications equipment.
- Represented inter-dealer brokers and affiliates in the defense of antitrust, RICO, and Commodity Exchange Act claims alleging manipulation of financial benchmarks, including Swiss LIBOR.
- Represented acquiring company in a class action securities and merger litigation matter.
- Represented a sports marketing company in the defense of breach of contract and unfair trade practices claims brought by a competitor.
- Obtained complete dismissal of false advertisement and breach of warranty claims on a motion to dismiss for pet product company.
- Represented Republic of India in bilateral investment treaty dispute and arbitration enforcement proceedings initiated by investment holdings compliance. Successfully defended against $1.2 billion reward.*
- Represented investors in a class action securities and merger litigation matter. Achieved complete dismissal of Securities Exchange Act and companion state law claims brought by putative class members.*
- Represented a foreign sovereign in a $50 billion investor-state dispute settlement arbitration and enforcement proceedings.*
- Represented former executives of a semiconductor company in a trademark and false advertisement case brought against a circuit board supplier.*
*Prior experience.