Partner Michelle J. Shapiro Named Global Vice-Chair of Women’s White Collar Defense Association

Michelle’s new position expands upon on her role as Global Chair of the Development Committee, which is responsible for promoting the WWCDA, its chapters and members through the work of seven subcommittees. This year, a top priority has been pioneering new ways for members to connect and collaborate.

In May, Michelle spearheaded the launch of the WWCDA Watercooler, an online virtual forum for members to share ideas, ask questions, brainstorm, vent, laugh, and connect with trusted WWCDA peers and friends. Building on the success of the Watercooler’s informal gatherings, under Michelle’s leadership, in October, the WWCDA launched the WatercoolerPLUS, an online virtual forum to present substantive topics of interest to the WWCDA’s members, beginning with a series of discussions regarding the challenges of returning to the Federal Courts in the Time of Covid.

“Michelle has been critical to the growth and progress of WWCDA over the past several years,” said Karen Popp, Global Chair and Co-founder of the WWCDA. “Her leadership and vision as the Global Chair of Development has been instrumental in bringing our members together to enable the collaboration and support that is central to our mission. We are so appreciative of Michelle’s hard work and look forward to having her as our Global Vice Chair of WWCDA.”

M. Scott Peeler, Arent Fox’s Government Enforcement & White Collar Practice Group Leader, added, “Michelle Shapiro is one of the finest white collar lawyers practicing today, and we couldn’t be prouder of her, the extraordinary work she has done, and this tremendous accomplishment. We are also so honored to partner with WWDCA and look forward to continuing our work together for years to come.”

Based in Arent Fox’s New York and Boston offices, Michelle is a white collar criminal defense attorney who advises companies and individuals in connection with all phases of government and internal investigations, prosecutions, enforcement actions, and remediation efforts. Another key component of Michelle's practice is helping global companies design, enhance and implement customized compliance programs, with a particular focus on preventing and detecting corruption. Among Michelle’s proudest achievements are pre-indictment resolutions of government allegations without media coverage or significant business disruption for her clients, including last month’s deferred prosecution agreement on behalf of an individual accused of engaging in a multi-million dollar money laundering transaction in bitcoin.

The Women’s White Collar Defense Association

Founded in 1999, the WWCDA is a coalition of women attorneys and other professionals who specialize in the white collar criminal defense field. These women are members of WWCDA chapters around the world and focus their practices on representing corporations, other organizations and individuals facing government enforcement actions (criminal, civil, regulatory, and administrative), and in internal investigations, compliance and ethics matters. Many of the WWCDA chapter members previously served in government positions and in corporate roles. Notable members include former corporate General Counsels and Chief Compliance Officers, as well as former prosecutors and high ranking government officials. More information can be found at http://wwcda.org.