Women's White Collar Defense Association

Home
United States
Washington D.C., DC
Women's White Collar Defense Association

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

WWCDA is an Association of women attorneys and other professionals who specialize in white collar Department of Justice).

The Women's White Collar Defense Association is a coalition of attorneys and other professionals with relevant expertise who specialize in white collar criminal defense. Our practices focus on a range of issues including antitrust actions, complex commercial litigation, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act issues, government contracting, healthcare fraud and abuse, insider trading, securities litigation, qui tam and whistleblower cases, and more. Our members are nationwide, with regional groups organized by city. The Association exists to provide:

• networking opportunities and business referrals for its members

• substantive resources

• a forum to hear from government officials and the private sector

• a clearing house for discussion of pressing white collar bar issues

• a vehicle for information sharing related to job openings and other items of interest. The Washington and New York Chapters were founded in the late 1990’s when our founders recognized a glaring lack of equal opportunity in existing professional white collar organizations. Such professional organizations are crucial for networking to develop business in the practice area. Since those early days, chapters have been organized in eleven cities -- Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, London, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, & Washington, D.C. -- and membership has grown to more than 4,500 members. Our members have served in government positions and in corporate roles. Notable members have included corporate General Counsels and Chief Compliance Officers, as well as prosecutors and high ranking government officials (e.g., the White House Counsel and the Chief of the Criminal Division at the U.S. Please see WWCDA Terms of Use: https://www.wwcda.org/termsandconditions

11/13/2026

Honoring leadership. Celebrating a legacy that lives on.

For more than three decades, Melissa Tearney, Partner and Practice Co-Chair, Litigation at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, has been a trusted leader in helping organizations navigate complex government investigations and compliance matters.

This year, WWCDA is thrilled to recognize Melissa as a recipient of the 2026 Laurie A. Miller Leadership Award!

This recognition carries special significance. Melissa knew Laurie personally, making this award a meaningful connection between Laurie's enduring legacy and the leaders who continue to champion the values she held dear.

Through her exceptional career, dedication to the profession, and commitment to WWCDA's mission, Melissa exemplifies the spirit of leadership this award was created to celebrate.

We invite you to join us on December 1 in Washington, DC, as we honor Melissa at the 2026 WWCDA Awards Gala at The Ritz-Carlton. Come celebrate the remarkable individuals shaping the future of our profession!

Secure your seat today: https://www.wwcda.org/2026awardsgala/gala-home

Congratulations, Melissa! We look forward to celebrating you!

11/12/2026

A career defined by excellence. A legacy of leadership.

WWCDA is proud to honor Helen Gredd, Senior Counsel at Lankler Siffert & Wohl LLP, as a recipient of the 2026 Laurie A. Miller Leadership Award!

From her service as a federal prosecutor to representing executives in some of the nation's most significant white collar matters, Helen has built an extraordinary career marked by professional excellence, integrity, and leadership. Her dedication to advancing the profession and supporting WWCDA's mission makes her a fitting recipient of this prestigious honor.

Named in memory of one of WWCDA's earliest champions, the Laurie A. Miller Leadership Award celebrates individuals whose professional achievements and commitment to service exemplify the leadership and dedication that Laurie championed throughout her career.

Join us on December 1 at The Ritz-Carlton in Washington, DC, as we recognize Helen and other outstanding leaders at the 2026 WWCDA Awards Gala!

Register today and be part of this special celebration: https://www.wwcda.org/2026awardsgala/gala-home

Congratulations, Helen!

11/12/2026

Atlanta Chapter enjoyed a lunchtime discussion "Corporate Enforcement in Focus: Back to Basics and DOJ Voluntary Self-Disclosure," moderated by Kara Silverman and a panel of current and former DOJ attorneys who shared their perspectives on recent developments in corporate enforcement and voluntary self-disclosure.

Panelists included Asha Natarajan, Of Counsel at Arnall Golden Gregory LLP and former Trial Attorney at Main Justice and Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, Erin Spritzer, Partner at Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia, and Bethany Rupert, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Thanks to Arnall Golden Gregory LLP for hosting, and to our panelists and moderator for sharing their time and perspectives with us!

11/11/2026

India Chapter published an investigation playbook “Investigations Readiness for a New Risk Reality," prepared with guidance from Rupinder Malik and Saguna Sodhi, which was launched on the sidelines of the GIR Live: India 2026 event.

The publication explores the evolving investigations landscape and examines key topics such as privilege and evidence preservation, cross-border investigations and data considerations, and AI in investigations. Thanks to all who contributed to the playbook!

11/06/2026

India Chapter recently hosted a webinar with Simon Airey, Partner and Global Co-Head of Investigations & Compliance, McDermott Will & Schulte (UK), on the recent UK Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), and its impact on the non-UK / Indian companies with UK touchpoints.

The session covered important topics such as how ECCTA reshapes corporate criminal exposure and the practical steps boards and compliance leaders in India should consider.

Thanks to all who participated!

11/06/2026

Each year, the WWCDA Chapter Award honors one U.S. WWCDA chapter and one international WWCDA chapter for their exceptional achievements and innovative programming. This year, we are proud to recognize the WWCDA Dallas Chapter and the WWCDA Switzerland Chapter for their impactful leadership and dedication to advancing leaders in law and strengthening our global WWCDA community.

Congratulations to both chapters! We look forward to celebrating you on December 1 in Washington, D.C. at the 2026 WWCDA Awards Gala with emcee Andrea Mitchell (NBC News)!

Join us! https://www.wwcda.org/2026awardsgala/gala-home

11/05/2026

Join the Small Firm Initiative following the annual WWCDA awards for a Post-Gala Breakfast Club on December 2nd! The event will take place at Levy Firestone Muse LLP from 8:30-10AM. We look forward to seeing you there!

11/04/2026

’s 2026 West Coast Retreat in Scottsdale brought WWCDA members together for thoughtful discussions, fresh perspectives, and meaningful connections. Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, planning committee, and everyone who joined us for making this year’s retreat such a success!

11/04/2026

is pleased to partner with the NYC Bar Association on its December 7-8 International White Collar Crime Conference and Reception! Register here: https://ow.ly/23nF5103OKa

10/30/2026

India Chapter Leader Rupinder Malik recently moderated a fireside chat with Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, at the inaugural GIR Live: India 2026 event. The Chapter also published “Investigations Readiness for a New Risk Reality,” an investigations playbook covering topics including investigation governance, privilege and evidence preservation, and the use of AI in investigations. Thanks to Rupinder Malik and Saguna Sodhi for their guidance on this publication!

Address

1800 M Street NW, Suite 400 S
Washington D.C., DC
20036

Telephone

(202)7368053

Website

http://www.wwcda.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Women's White Collar Defense Association posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.