Bill McGovern is a seasoned legal strategist with three decades of experience guiding financial institutions, cryptocurrency ventures, decentralized finance protocols, and public companies through their most critical challenges. Whether tackling securities and commodities fraud, insider trading, wire fraud, or market manipulation, Bill delivers expert counsel to executives, boards, and other stakeholders navigating the complex web of regulatory and legal risks.

Bill’s legal journey is marked by a unique blend of government service, private practice, and in-house expertise. At Morgan Stanley, Bill moved to Hong Kong to lead a Hong Kong-based team evaluating regulatory risks in banking and cross-border trading, providing him with an insider’s view of the financial world. Later, Bill established a white-collar defense practice for global law firm Kobre & Kim, representing clients around the world in high-stakes investigations while helping to build the Kobre & Kim platform in Asia.

His early career laid a strong foundation for his current practice. As a prosecutor with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, Bill led complex investigations into organized crime, political corruption and narcotics trafficking. An accomplished trial lawyer, Bill also served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney to prosecute an election fraud case.  After honing his skills in the SEC’s Enforcement Division in Washington, D.C., Bill rose to the role of branch chief at the SEC in New York.

At McGovern Weems, Bill specializes in representing clients involved in cross-border investigations, often defending Asian business leaders, founders of decentralized finance protocols, and traditional finance professionals facing charges from powerful regulatory bodies like the SEC, DOJ, or NYAG. His forward-thinking compliance advice empowers clients to proactively mitigate risks, while his extensive experience allows him to craft innovative strategies that counter regulatory and prosecutorial actions worldwide.

Clients value Bill’s pragmatic and results-driven approach. With his unique combination of government and private practice experience together with his experience living and working in Hong Kong, he provides a comprehensive perspective that enables him to anticipate challenges and deliver tailored solutions. Whether advising on compliance programs or defending against enforcement actions, Bill’s goal is clear: to guide his clients toward the most favorable outcomes, no matter how complex or high-stakes the situation.

Beyond his professional achievements, Bill has dedicated his career to fostering positive change. He actively champions initiatives that enhance access to justice, promote public policy reform, and support nonprofit organizations focused on education, immigration rights, and diversity. Bill’s pro bono work includes advocating for incarcerated individuals and collaborating with whistleblowers to drive improvements in government and corporate practices.

Whether advising global financial institutions, defending innovative cryptocurrency ventures, or advocating for individual officers and directors or pursuing systemic reform, Bill McGovern’s experience, insight, and commitment to his clients set him apart as a trusted partner in overcoming today’s most pressing challenges.

William McGovern

Partner

917.903.7668
bill@mcgovernweems.com

Linkedin

EDUCATION:

Temple University School of Law, J.D.

University of Pennsylvania, B.A.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE:

Legislative Assistant US Congressman Dennis Eckart (OH – 11rh District 1987-1990)

Assistant District Attorney Bronx County, Investigations Division 1993-1998

Special Assistant  United States Attorney SDNY 1997

Branch Chief U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Enforcement Division New York Regional Office 2002-2005, Staff Attorney 1999-2002 Washington DC 

ADMISSIONS:

New York

Solicitor, Hong Kong

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

U.S. District for the Southern District of New York

U.S. Tax Court

White-Collar Criminal Matters

  • Represent founder and CEO of U.S. private equity company and registered investment advisor in a criminal securities fraud case prosecuted by the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. 
  • Represent founder and CEO of an entertainment technology company in criminal securities fraud case pending in the Southern District of Florida. 
  • Represent founder and CEO of a global diamond-trading business facing investigation and criminal prosecution by the Indian Public Prosecutor’s Office into an alleged multi-billion- dollar bank fraud and related investigations by U.S. prosecutors and the bankruptcy trustee. 
  • Represent high-profile individual in a forced-labor and sex trafficking RICO conspiracy prosecuted by the U.S. DOJ in the Eastern District of New York. 
  • Represent of U.S.-listed Korean manufacturing company in money-laundering investigation by U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York and Nassau County District Attorney’s Office.
  • Represent founder and CEO of a fine art delivery company in a tax fraud investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. 
  • Represent a Japan-based executive of an international financial institution in investigations being conducted by the SEC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) into allegations of anti-competitive behavior related to derivatives products.

China + Hong Kong Related Matters

  • Represent Hong Kong-listed Chinese company in an investigation conducted by the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) regarding potential bribery by one of the company’s senior executives.
  • Conducted an internal investigation of the Hong Kong office of a U.S. commodities trading firm in connection with a money laundering inquiry.
  • Represent senior Hong Kong-based executive of a major U.S. bank in an investigation conducted by the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, all relating to alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations concerning the bank’s hiring of individuals related to or otherwise connected with Chinese government officials and employees of Chinese state-owned entities.
  • Represent a Hong Kong-based logistics company in connection with an investigation by the DOJ Antitrust Division into alleged price-fixing in air cargo surcharges.
  • Represent Shanghai-based CEO of a reverse-merged Chinese company in connection with an investigation being conducted by the SEC into allegations of fraud regarding certain filings made with the agency pursuant to their listing on the Nasdaq stock market.

DeFi and Crypto Asset Advice and Defense

Bill is frequently called upon to advocate on behalf of founders of centralized and de-centralized crypto exchanges and protocols.    These matters range from providing prospective compliance advice to advocacy in contentious investigations by the SEC, NYAG or DOJ.  

Business Advisory

  • Participated in top-to-bottom business conflict review for a global financial services company, which resulted in enhanced compliance, monitoring and training for employees. 
  • Assisted in developing a global online system to track gifts and entertainment provided by the business to external stakeholders.
  • Conducted insider trading training and advised on compliance policies for hedge funds and investment banking businesses.  
  • Advised a charitable organization on sexual harassment policy.

Regulatory Investigations + Enforcement

  • Representation of CEO of an entertainment technology company in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation and litigation. 
  • Representation of U.S. hedge fund in SEC investigation into financial misconduct stemming from a whistleblower complaint by a former employee.
  • Representation of U.S. hedge fund in SEC investigation into controls related to confidential information which arose as a result of employee relationships. 
  • Representation of head of derivatives trading desk at a global bank in the investigation of LIBOR trading practices conducted by the U.S. DOJ Fraud Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. 
  • Representation of an insurance company in investigation by the New York State Department of Financial Services into causes of the opioid crisis in New York.

Internal Investigations

  • Representation of the special committee of the board of directors for a Fortune 100 media company in conducting an investigation into allegations of misconduct in the sale of overseas licensing rights, stemming from a whistleblower complaint.
  • Conducted internal investigation of a global energy company involving whistleblower allegations of bribery offenses related to securing approvals for exploration and production rights in Asia.
  • Representation of independent directors of a global nonprofit human rights organization in the investigation of sexual harassment and misconduct by a senior executive.
  • Representation of an international medical equipment manufacturer in a series of discrete investigations into potential FCPA violations and bribery allegations.
  • Representation of 20+ employees of a publicly-traded real estate and entertainment development company in relation to an internal investigation into possible FCPA violations.

Monitorships

  • Service as integrity monitor of the multibillion-dollar intergovernmental Hurricane Sandy reconstruction efforts in New York City to ensure the nonoccurrence of fraud, waste and abuse.
  • Advised local communities on strategies to mitigate fraud, waste and abuse in connection with the receipt and use of pandemic relief funds.

News

  • William McGovern Addresses Latest Asia-U.S. Anti-Corruption Developments at IWCCS 2022
  • William McGovern Talks to Foreign Policy Magazine on Meng Wanzhou Deferred Prosecution Agreement with DOJ
  • William McGovern Article on Obtaining Post-COVID-19 Vaccination Compassionate Release published in New York Law Journal
  • Podcast: William McGovern on the Recent Rise and Future of Whistleblowing Programs
  • William McGovern Publishes Article on the U.S. TRAP Act and the (Potential) End of INTERPOL Notice Misuse in Law360
  • William McGovern Discusses Shifting U.S. Immigration Enforcement at the Annual conference on Immigration Law
  • William McGovern Discusses Litigation and Regulatory Risk in Current U.S.-China Climate
  • William McGovern Discusses Regulatory Challenges for High Net Worth Individuals with Global Business Interests
  • William McGovern Explores Wealth Structuring at STEP Cayman 2019
  • William McGovern Addresses Investigations and Litigation in China at Fordham Law School Seminar
  • Facing Government Enforcement in Multiple Jurisdictions? William McGovern Tackles the Stages of Cross-Border Investigations in Asia
  • William McGovern Addresses Key Considerations for Internal Investigations in China
  • William McGovern Participates in a Program for International Students at Fordham Law School
  • William McGovern Participates in On-Demand Webinar: Untangling Hazards of Internal Investigations Conducted in Asias
  • William McGovern Presents at the 6th Annual Global Forum on Anti-Corruption Compliance in High Risk Markets

Recent Publications

 

  • Panelist, “International White Collar Crime Symposium” (New York City Bar, New York City, November 2021)
  • Co-author, “Envisioning a Future for COVID-19-Based Compassionate Release” (New York Law Journal, June 2021)
  • Co-author, “Corporate Fraud & Corruption” (Financier Worldwide, April 2021)
  • Co-author, “How Regulating GameStop’s ‘Market Manipulation’ Could Harm Crypto” (CoinDesk, March 2021)
  • Co-author, “Trapping Interpol Misuse: Inside the Proposed TRAP Act” (Law360, May 2020)
  • Co-author, “Why (and How) Public Companies and Traders Should Prepare for Regulatory Scrutiny Post-COVID-19” (Corporate Counsel, April 2020)
  • Speaker, “The Ethics of Dealing with Government Surveillance and Client Confidentiality” (AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law, Orlando, June 2019)
  • Speaker, “Investigation & Litigation in China — eDiscovery Challenges” (Fordham Law School, New York, January 2018)
  • Speaker, “Dealing With the Rise of Overseas Prosecutors: Counseling Senior Executives Facing Criminal Exposure in Multiple Jurisdictions” (Cambridge Forums’ Global Forum on Corporate Criminal Liability, Cascais, Portugal, March 2017)
  • Speaker, “The Cost of Doing Business: Understanding and Avoiding the Hazards of Internal Investigations in Asia” (Association of Corporate Counsel, Webinar, October 2016)
  • Speaker, “Comparative Legal Systems and Special Enforcement Issues in China, the US & Beyond” (ABA Criminal Justice Section’s Global White Collar Crime Institute, Shanghai, November 2015)
  • Speaker, “Hot Topics Involving US Litigation and China” (Center for Chinese Legal Studies of Columbia Law School and the Chinese Business Lawyers Association, November 2015)
  • Speaker, “Rise in Individual Liability — How to Prepare for Increased Arrests, Dawn Raids and Executive Liability Charges in China and Indonesia?” (6th Global Forum on Anti-Corruption Compliance in High-Risk Markets, Washington DC, July 2015)
  • Author, “In the land of the free, Chinese companies come up against the long arm of the U.S. law” (South China Morning Post, February 2015)
  • Author, “Year of the Asian Regulator” (FinanceAsia, January 2015)
  • Speaker, “An International Conundrum: Conducting an Internal Investigation on Behalf of a Multinational Organization” (New York Law Journal, Webinar, November 2014)
  • Guest Commentator, “Money for Nothing” (Radio Television Hong Kong, May 2014)
  • Speaker, “Doing Business in China” (Practising Law Institute — The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and International Anti-Corruption Developments 2014, May 2014)
  • Author, “Emerging Anti-bribery Risks for MNCs Operating in China” (The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and International Anti-Corruption Developments in 2014, Practising Law Institute, March 2014)
  • Speaker, “Investigating Corruption in China — Finding Balance” (Chinese University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law Seminar, March 2014)
  • Speaker, “Thought Leaders Conference” (Morgan Stanley, November 2013)
  • Speaker, “SEC Regulation Outside the United States” (Investoregulation Financial Conference, March 2013)
  • Speaker, “Will Corporate Transparency Survive in Hong Kong?” (Foreign Correspondents’ Club, February 2013)
  • Speaker, “CSRC and SEC: In Search of a Path Forward” (Chinese Business Lawyers Association, February 2013)
  • Contributor, “SEC Investigations Expanded to Cayman Islands, the Tax Haven” (The Economic Observer, February 2013)
  • Co-author, “Scars of Sparring Over Audit Access” (Shanghai Daily, January 2013)
  • Co-author, “Controversy Over Auditing May Lead to a Wave of China Delistings in U.S. (審計爭議或掀內企退市潮)” (Oriental Daily News, December 2012)
  • Speaker, “Financial Due Diligence and Anti-bribery Laws” (International Bar Association’s Asia Pacific Mergers and Acquisitions Conference, November 2012)
  • Author, “Resolving SEC-China Impasse is Negotiators’ Job” (China Daily, June 2012)
  • Speaker, “How to Serve Clients in China with Your U.S. Litigation Practice” (American Bar Association, May 2012)
  • Speaker, “Risks and Solutions for Chinese Companies Listed in the United States” (Willis, Skadden, and FTI Consulting, November 2011)
  • Speaker, “Understanding Compliance and the SEC’s Enforcement Program” (Investoregulation’s Conference on SEC Regulation Outside the United States, October 2011)
  • Speaker, “What Bernie Madoff Can Teach Us About Due Diligence and the Psychology of Investing” (STEP Conference, December 2010)
  • Speaker, “SEC Enforcement Division: Bigger, Stronger, Faster. Why Should the Korean Business Community Care?” (IAKL, September 2010)
  • Speaker, “Coordinating a Response to Allegations of Financial Fraud” (Bar Association of the City of New York, January 2006)
  • Benchmark Litigation, Asia-Pacific Dispute Resolution
  • Chambers Asia-Pacific, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms) (China)
  • Chambers Asia-Pacific, Dispute Resolution: Litigation (International Firms) (China)
  • Chambers Global, Corporate Investigations/Anti-Corruption (International Firms) (China)
  • The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Anti-Corruption and Compliance (Hong Kong)
  • The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific, Dispute Resolution (Hong Kong)
  • Who’s Who Legal, Investigations
  • Legal Outreach, Advisory Board Member
  • American Club in HK, Board Member
  • Justice in Motion, Board Member
  • Grameen Foundation Asia, Founding Friend
  • International Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member
  • Shaker Heights School Foundation, Trustee