Legal Ethics Esq. Expert Witness

EDUCATION

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, Member: American Criminal Law Review

Harvard University, Slavic Language and Literature (Russian and Soviet Area Studies), A.B., magna cum laude, 1981 (Russian Language Certificate, 1980 from Leningrad State University).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2010 – Present
Private Company
Conducting research and teaching seminars in the area of corruption, criminology, international organized crime, and terrorism. Teaching responsibilities in the international economic crime and terrorist areas.

2008–Present
Private Company
Advising clients on matters involving international economic crime, legal malpractice/professional responsibility, and age discrimination. Participating in various aspects of dispute resolution, including arbitration, collaborative conflict
resolution, litigation and mediation. Engaging in case evaluation.

2003-Present
Private Company
Researching corporate governance, economic crime, and foreign corruption issues. Law school teaching. Meeting with foreign governmental officials, researchers and students on a range of topics. Overseeing students’ independent study. Monitoring political developments in Belarus and Russia.

2003–2008
International Legal Malpractice Advisors, LLC; General Counsel & Managing Director, Washington, D.C. Operated start-up legal/consulting firm that provided legal and consulting services on international legal malpractice matters and law firm management issues. Acted as an expert on questions on foreign law (Russian and Belarusian) in U.S. judicial proceeding. Served as an arbitrator in attorney/client fee disputes. Conducted research in support of ongoing litigation and performing case assessments.

2001-2003
American University, The Transnational Crime & Corruption Center; Project Director, AU’s School of Inter-national Service; Research Associate Professor; Washington College of Law, Adjunct Professor, Washington, D.C. Managed overseas research centers studying international criminal activities and corruption. Engaged in research on money laundering, economic crime, human rights and illegal weapons exports. Solicited and edited research papers. Conducted seminars and made presentations concerning transnational crime and corruption. Served as an international election observer.

1999-2001
Ludwig & Robinson, P.L.L.C.; Member (Partner), Washington, D.C.
Participated in all aspects of commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution, with an emphasis on cases involving recovery of assets lost as a result of embezzlements, and inaccurate advice on foreign investments. Worked with private investigators to locate laundered funds. Handled lawsuits in the area of auditing, engineering and medical malpractice.

1997-1999
Russin & Vecchi, L.L.P.; Senior International Counsel, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, Russia (Russian-Ukrainian Legal Group).
Advised clients on aspects of doing business in Russia and Ukraine. Ensured quality control over Russian and Ukrainian attorneys’ work product. Advised clients on how to deal with corrupt officials and threats made by organized crime groups. Analyzed political and legal risk of proposed investments/transactions. Led team of attorneys for a USAID Net Assessment of Contract/Judgment Enforcement and Alternative Dispute Resolution in Ukraine.

1992-1997
Salans, Hertzfeld & Heilbronn; Associate, London and Paris.
Advised clients on corporate and commercial matters in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Belarus. Principal activities included: structuring and restructuring of foreign investment, preparation of loan, pledge, purchase-sale and real estate contracts, including in connection with project finance and privatization, and due diligence on potential acquisitions and joint ventures. Advised clients on political and economic risk of particular transactions (including that
posed by corrupt officials and organized crime groups).

1989-1992
Patton, Boggs & Blow; Associate, Washington, D.C.
Represented clients on international trade regulation, SEC, HUD, FDIC and environmental matters. Researched and wrote complaints and motions, conducted depositions, and argued motions in judicial and administrative proceedings, principally involving legal malpractice committed by attorneys in Texas in connection with the failure of three S&Ls. Participated in investigation of activities at BCCI and a Civil RICO matter involving the trucking industry. Served as Special Counsel for Lawyers Committee for Human Rights for CSCE Activities.

PRINCIPAL SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS

Available Upon Request

COURSES TAUGHT

Available Upon Request

MAJOR PRESENTATIONS

Available Upon Request

BARS AND PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

District of Columbia Bar

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Maryland State Bar

U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Member, American Bar Association

Mediator and Arbitrator, D.C. Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board

Member, American Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Member, International Bar Association

Member, D.C. Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct Review Committee

Member, The American Association of Criminology

Member, Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

Russian.

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