Site Search
Professionals 167 results
Capabilities 45 results
Industry
Winston’s financial crimes compliance lawyers have been providing regulatory compliance counseling and enforcement services related to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AML), and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) policy for decades. We also have experience with international AML matters, including in the EU and with respect to Financial Actions Task Force (FATF) recommendations.
Practice Area
White Collar & Government Investigations
Ranked Tier 1 Nationally for “Criminal Defense: White Collar” by Best Law Firms®2025, and recognized for “Corporate Crime & Investigations: Highly Regarded – Nationwide” by Chambers USA in 2025, Winston’s White Collar & Government Investigations Practice assists individuals, companies, and organizations with government investigations and enforcement matters; related criminal and civil litigation; trials; appeals; congressional oversight; internal investigations; and compliance counseling and program development and enhancement. We are comprised of 80+ litigators, with more than a dozen former prosecutors from the SEC, Main Justice, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices nationwide, including four former U.S. Attorneys, Regional Supervisors, and a former Assistant Director, Enforcement Division, SEC. We are known for our zealous advocacy, our unyielding commitment to our clients, and for protecting and defending clients’ interests with legal acumen that’s second to none.
Industry
We help retail and luxury clients navigate challenges around the globe as they protect and expand their brands. We serve as trusted advisors and valued business partners, handling some of the industry’s highest-profile litigation, regulatory matters, and deals. Our track record of successes in both state and federal courts is a testament to our prowess in consumer fraud, product liability, and antitrust litigation and our commitment to excellence extends to our transactional representation, ensuring swift, seamless, smooth, and cost-efficient deals for our retail and luxury clients.
Experience 75 results
Experience
|March 4, 2026
End of the Line: Winston Wins Unanimous Supreme Court Victory Against NJ Transit
In a unanimous decision authored by Justice Sotomayor, the U.S. Supreme Court held that NJ Transit is not an arm of the State of New Jersey and therefore is not entitled to sovereign immunity. The ruling means that plaintiffs injured by NJ Transit outside of New Jersey—such as in Pennsylvania and New York—may pursue claims in the courts of the states where their injuries occurred. The court adopted Winston’s position that state-created corporations that are formally liable for their own judgments are not arms of the state, reversing the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s dismissal of Cedric Galette’s negligence suit while affirming the New York Court of Appeals’ decision allowing Jeffrey Colt’s case to proceed.
Experience
|January 6, 2026
Brightwood Capital’s Acquisition of Museum of Illusions Group
A team led by Bradley Vaiana and Austin Leach represented Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC (“Brightwood”), a New York–based investment firm, in its acquisition of Museum of Illusions Group, the world’s largest privately held chain of museums, from Invera Capital Partners. As part of the transaction, five previously franchised locations will transition from the chain’s largest franchisee, LOL Entertainment, to become corporate-owned sites. Winston attorneys across multiple practice areas and offices, including M&A, Tax, Intellectual Property, Employee Benefits, and the firm’s UK office, assisted in structuring a complex cross-border transaction to support Brightwood's fund investment goals. The acquisitions were completed on January 6, 2026.
Experience
|December 15, 2025
A team led by Alex Roggio, Brad Mandel, and Marianna Wonder represented Apogem Capital as lead investor in connection with Encore Consumer Capital’s single-asset continuation vehicle for Lion Beverages, LLC, a premier full-service contract manufacturer of specialty beverages. The transaction builds on Apogem’s growing track record of anchoring GP-led secondary transactions for high-conviction middle market companies. The continuation vehicle closed with over $150 million in commitments, providing liquidity to Encore Fund III limited partners while supporting Lion’s continued expansion.
Insights & News 2,750 results
Capital Markets & Securities Law Watch
|April 27, 2026
|4 Min Read
SEC Grants Exemptive Relief for Shortened Equity Tender Offers
On April 16, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the SEC) Office of Mergers and Acquisitions in the Division of Corporation Finance (the Division) issued an exemptive order (the Order) permitting certain tender offers for equity securities to remain open for a minimum of 10 business days rather than the standard 20 business days, subject to strict conditions designed to preserve investor protections.
Life at Winston
|April 22, 2026
|1 Min Read
Winston For Good Heroes: Martha Huffman is a Beneficent Beekeeper, Community Member & Colleague
Giving back to Fate, Texas—the small community where she has lived on her “ranchette” for the past 28 years—is a way of life for Martha. Beekeeping and local politics are simply the latest ways in which she pays her good fortune forward within Fate.
Recognitions
|April 17, 2026
|1 Min Read
Jeffrey Kessler Recognized as Litigator of the Week by The American Lawyer
Winston & Strawn partner Jeffrey Kessler was named Litigator of the Week by The American Lawyer in their April 17, 2026, column.
Other Results 43 results
Site Content
What Is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)?
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a federal statute prohibiting United States citizens and entities from engaging in corruption. It has two main elements: (1) anti-bribery provisions, forbidding the giving or offering of anything of value to a foreign government official for business and (2) accounting requirements, establishing mandatory practice guidelines for companies to maintain accurate records and internal controls. The FCPA is enforced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Location
Founded in 1853, Winston & Strawn is one of the largest and oldest law firms in Chicago. The office is home to 290+ lawyers distributed across 20 practice areas. Our Chicago lawyers represent 90 companies in the Fortune 500 and are recognized in all the major directories and award competitions. They also are heavily invested in pro bono causes, having dedicated 19,000+ hours in 2024 to various pro bono organizations. Representing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, they are hardworking, compassionate, and collaborative. Our Chicago office also takes immense pride in fostering a collegial atmosphere that influences every aspect of our culture. From weekly Starbucks Socials, where colleagues gather to connect over coffee and conversation, to ping pong tournaments that ignite friendly competition, to volunteer opportunities around the city, we celebrate the camaraderie and sense of community that unite us. This not only enhances collaboration and teamwork but creates a supportive environment that inspires us to excel in our professional pursuits.
Location
Serving one of the world’s largest economies for over 20 years, Winston & Strawn’s Los Angeles office is home to more than 100 lawyers and business professionals. Under the guidance of Office Managing Partner Angela Machala, our L.A. office thrives as a dynamic and tightly knit community with an inclusive culture in which its members from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives collaborate closely to support each other’s success and achieve their clients’ goals. Our L.A. lawyers—who are equally split between litigation and transactional work—advise 80+ Fortune 500 companies, which is a testament to the collaborative environment we’ve created to provide exceptional legal services.