Overview
Kelly Newsome advises corporations and individuals in white-collar criminal and regulatory matters across the globe. Her practice focuses on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and other anti-corruption laws and regulations. She represents clients in a variety of industries, including oil and gas; hospitality and tourism; life sciences, medical device and pharmaceutical; and financial services.
In her wide-ranging anti-corruption compliance practice, Kelly frequently advises clients on anti-corruption compliance matters, including internal investigations, US and international government investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and joint venture due diligence, risk assessments, internal controls and compliance program enhancements. She is also well versed in navigating FCPA monitorships, having both served on a monitorship team and represented a multinational company under the review of an independent compliance monitor.
As one area of her global practice, Kelly handles anti-corruption compliance, extractive industry transparency, illegal detention and transitional justice matters throughout several African jurisdictions.
Kelly is actively committed to advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal profession. Prior to her legal career, she was a fundraising and management consultant for faith-based and nonprofit organizations.
Results
- Served as counsel to the independent compliance monitors appointed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to conduct a three-year FCPA compliance monitorship of a multinational petrochemical company*
- Represented a multinational medical device company under a three-year DOJ and SEC-imposed FCPA compliance monitorship*
- Conducted pre- and post-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence for a multinational oil and gas company in West Africa*
- Conducted pre- and post-acquisition anti-corruption due diligence for multiple oil field services companies*
- Conducted post-acquisition due diligence for a major cruise line in Europe*
- Represented a multinational oil and gas company in a DOJ and SEC investigation alleging FCPA violations in Africa*
- Represented a multinational engineering company in a DOJ and SEC investigation alleging FCPA violations in Africa and Asia*
- Conducted an internal investigation into allegations of FCPA violations for a multinational oil and gas company in Asia*
- Conducted an internal investigation into allegations of commercial bribery, conflicts of interest and kickbacks between executives at a multinational company*
- Represented a former banking executive in a DOJ and SEC investigation into a bank’s hiring practices in Asia*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott.
Recognitions
- New York Law Journal, Rising Star, 2022
- National Bar Association, Top 40 Under 40 – Nation’s Best Advocates, 2023
- Global Investigations Review’s GIR 100, Recommended, 2024
Community
- The New York Landmarks Conservancy, board member
- National Bar Association, member
- New York City Bar Association, member
Credentials
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, JD, 2013
Institut d’Etudes Politiques – Paris, Master 2, 2013
University of Missouri – Kansas City, MPA, 2006
University of Missouri – Kansas City, BA, 2004
Admissions
New York
Courts / Agencies
US District Court for the Southern District of New York
US District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Languages
English
French
