Samuel Salyer is a counsel in Hughes Hubbard & Reed's Washington, DC office. Sam has represented individuals and multinational companies in investigations by U.S. authorities including the DOJ, SEC, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the Department of Labor (DOL), as well as by foreign authorities and international institutions, including the UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO), French Parquet national financier (PNF), and the World Bank.
Sam has worked closely with clients to investigate, remediate, and resolve high-profile civil and criminal matters. He has assisted clients in negotiating resolutions, satisfying post-resolution requirements, working with compliance monitors, and designing and implementing effective compliance programs.
Where settlement is not advisable, Sam has experience litigating criminal and civil matters in U.S. federal court, including conducting both jury and bench trials, and before regulatory tribunals and state courts. Sam has also represented clients in successful appellate proceedings in federal and state courts, including arguing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, Sam has represented clients in international commercial arbitration conducted under the ICDR and ICC Rules.
Sam maintains an active and diverse pro bono practice. In 2020, he helped lead a team that secured the release, under the First Step Act, of an individual previously sentenced to life imprisonment on drug charges. In 2023, Sam was part of the team that helped secure the release of a high-profile human rights activist who was unlawfully detained by a foreign government.
Sam has previously been based in Beijing (2015) and Paris (2016-2019).
Recognitions
2024 The Legal 500 United States, Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense
2023 Global Investigations Review 30 List
2019 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, sponsored by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
2015 Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll, sponsored by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia
Highlighted Lectures
"Trends, Developments and Updates in the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: What You Need to Know," The Knowledge Group, webinar, February 19, 2019
"ISO 37001 Standard for Anti-Bribery Management Systems: How to Stay Internationally Compliant," The Knowledge Group, webinar, August 28, 2018
Criminal Matters
Representation of world-leading aerospace and defense company in connection with globe-spanning anti-corruption investigation by multiple domestic and foreign enforcement agencies
Representation of multinational company in connection with U.S. investigation into high-profile allegations of terrorist financing, sanctions violations, and money laundering
Representation of high-profile founder and CEO of publicly listed company in connection with criminal and civil litigation
Representation of tech founder and CEO in criminal prosecution of fraud and money laundering charges
Representation of European financial services firm in connection with DOJ investigation into potential sanctions and money laundering offenses
Other Enforcement Matters
Representation of regulated private fund and its principals in connection with fraud and other charges brought by SEC
Representation of former tech executive in SEC investigation
Representation of publicly listed energy company in conducting internal investigation and remediation, leading to resolution of SEC investigation
Representation of a Chinese state-owned construction firm in connection with multilateral development bank investigation and sanctions proceedings, as well as in the development and implementation of a company-wide international compliance program
Representation of a CAC 40 French multinational industrial manufacturing company in connection with a World Bank investigation and proceedings
Representation of U.S.-licensed financial services company in connection with FinCEN investigation into anti-money laundering controls
Civil Litigation
Representation of publicly listed energy company in securities litigation following high-profile merger
Representation of international gaming companies in connection with commercial litigation, regulatory actions, and injunctive action against state regulatory body related to multi-billion-dollar casino development project
Representation of foreign state-owned entity in civil litigation involving assertion of state secrets privilege by U.S. government
Internal Investigations and Reviews
Representation of a multinational energy company in internal investigation related to potential sanctions violations
Representation of a world-leading multinational technology company in internal investigation and gap analysis related to potential sanctions violations
Representation of a multinational “supermajor” oil and gas company in connection with a review of operations in Nigeria and other countries as part of a global risk assessment and compliance audit, in coordination with compliance monitor
Representation of a U.S. multinational manufacturing company in connection with a worldwide review of its compliance policies and organization
Columbia University, School of Law, J.D., 2013, Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, Human Rights Law Review, Notes and Submissions Editor, Moot Court Program Editor
The George Washington University, B.A., 2008, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
