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Barbara Hoffman is of counsel to the firm, resident in the New York office. Her practice focuses on white collar and investigative work, drawing on more than 30 years of experience as an attorney and investigative accountant in an extensive variety of cases, including criminal prosecutions by federal and state governments, securities enforcement actions and internal corporate investigations, representing clients ranging from large publicly traded corporations to individuals. Ms. Hoffman has also advised corporate clients on compliance programs.
- Representation of global technology company in SEC investigation of its revenue recognition practices.
- Internal investigations for Fortune 50 and Fortune 500 companies concerning alleged accounting irregularities.
- Advise companies on compliance with Dodd-Frank’s whistleblower provisions.
- Representation of biotechnology company in federal criminal investigation into alleged off-label marketing and in negotiation of deferred prosecution agreement.
- Defense of companies in connection with SOX whistleblower complaints.
- Independent directors of public company in federal criminal investigation of company’s former CEO.
- Representation of an individual in a criminal tax case involving foreign bank accounts.
- Representation of numerous individuals in connection with SEC investigation of alleged improper trading by NYSE specialists.
Previous Experience
- Investigative accountant (1978-1990)
January 30, 2020, Covington Alert
It has been another strong year in anti-corruption enforcement, with 2019 meeting or beating the high-water mark for enforcement across a number of measurements.
Q1 2019, Covington Alert
It was business as usual for FCPA enforcement in 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) collected a total of $1 billion from seventeen corporate defendants, including through their share of two high-value, multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions. DOJ also announced thirteen new FCPA prosecutions ...
Winter 2019, Covington Alert
It was business as usual for FCPA enforcement in 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) collected a total of $1 billion from seventeen corporate defendants, including through their share of two high-value, multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions. DOJ also announced thirteen new FCPA prosecutions ...
February 23, 2018, Covington Alert
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated decision in Digital Realty Trust, Inc. v. Somers. Ruling 9-0, the Court held that the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers only if they reported suspected wrongdoing directly to the SEC.
January 25, 2018, Covington Advisory
Our message this year is simple: FCPA enforcement is here to stay. Despite pre-election statements to the contrary, various senior officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) have, over the past year, consistently reaffirmed DOJ’s and the SEC’s commitment to FCPA enforcement.
SEC Blasts Employee Confidentiality Agreements
November 7, 2016, Agenda
Barbara Hoffman and Lindsay Burke are quoted in an Agenda article regarding the SEC’s continued interest in restrictive confidentiality agreements that could deter employees from reporting company violations to authorities. According to Hoffman, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration administers a number of whistle-blowing programs for federal ...
September 30, 2016, Covington Alert
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to aggressively pursue companies using severance and other employment agreements that could be perceived to discourage employees from reporting possible securities law violations. Three enforcement actions this past summer demonstrate the need for companies to proactively review and give consideration ...
May 26, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, May 26, 2015 — Covington represented Hyperdynamics Corporation in an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice into potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act related to its business activities in the Republic of Guinea. The Justice Department has completed its investigation without bringing any charges against the ...
July 29, 2013, Covington Advisory
July 12, 2012, Covington Advisory
June 2, 2011, Covington Advisory
May 20, 2011, Covington Advisory
January/February 2011, The Corporate Governance Advisor
July 29, 2010, Covington Advisory
August 13, 2004, BNA Corporate Accountability