Ridge Blanchard

Tech & Cyber

• Counsel to prominent online platforms in a House Judiciary Committee inquiry regarding alleged suppression of content
• Counsel for a large social media company in connection with a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the exploitation of children on social media
• Counsel for a large social media company in connection with congressional inquiries into competition in the digital marketplace and antitrust concerns
• Counsel for a large social media company in connection with congressional inquiries into the launching of digital payment systems
• Counsel for a large social media company in connection with inquiries by State Attorneys General
• Counsel to a market-leading endpoint cybersecurity provider in connection with a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee regarding a global IT incident
• Counsel to a leading chip manufacturer in connection with a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry into semiconductors found in weapons on the Ukrainian battlefield
• Counsel to a large health system in connection with congressional scrutiny of a cyber breach

Financial Services

• Counsel to major financial service companies in connection with investigations by and annual hearings before the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
• Counsel to a major U.S. bank in connection with a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations investigation and hearing regarding Zelle
• Counsel for several major financial institutions in connection with inquiries regarding the historic financing of chattel slavery in the United States
• Counsel for a major international bank in connection with a House Judiciary Committee inquiry into information sharing with the federal government
• Counsel to a leading U.S. bank in connection with a state attorneys general inquiry into fair access issues
• Counsel to an industry-leading investment advisor with regard to anticipated scrutiny of ESG investing
• Counsel to a trading and investment company and CEO in connection with House and Senate inquiries into market volatility and retail investing for app-based services
• Counsel for an accounting firm regarding a congressional oversight inquiry regarding employees who also served in the federal government
• Counsel to a leading financial institution regarding Paycheck Protection Program, CARES Act, and related issues during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic*
• Counsel for a large financial institution regarding anti-money laundering issues and the “FinCEN Files”*

Higher Education

• Counsel to major prominent universities in connection with congressional oversight of antisemitism issues on college campuses
• Counsel to a public university in connection with an inquiry into COVID-19 research
• Counsel for a university in connection with an inquiry by the House Oversight Committee regarding an investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Counsel for a university in connection with an inquiry by the Senate Finance Committee request for data on organ procurement and transplantation system

Healthcare

• Counsel to a major pharmaceutical company in a high-profile inquiry regarding opioid abuse issues and the company’s bankruptcy
• Counsel to a pharmaceutical company in connection with congressional oversight and inquiries regarding drug pricing practices
• Counsel to a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of life science tools regarding antitrust issues
• Counsel to a biopharmaceutical company regarding allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices related to COVID-19 drugs brought by a prominent state attorney general*

Other

• Counsel to a large infant nutrition manufacturer in connection with inquiries related to baby formula shortages
• Counsel to a leading consumer products company in an inquiry regarding a marketing and advertising industry coalition
• Counsel to a multinational auto parts company in connection with an inquiry from the House Select Committee on China regarding trade issues
• Counsel to a global energy company in connection with a House Oversight & Reform Committee inquiry regarding climate change, gas prices, and related issues
• Counsel to a leading private equity firm regarding COVID-19 housing issues
• Counsel for an electronic cigarette company in connection with investigations by the SEC and congressional committees relating to marketing and products liability claims
• Counsel to a legal services firm regarding a congressional request for information about support for an educational program
• Counsel to a multi-state utilities provider on matters related to hurricane response
• Counsel to a student loan servicer in an inquiry regarding federal borrowing and repayment issues
• Counsel to a large government contractor in an inquiry regarding military housing*
• Counsel to a multinational corporation in connection with multiple Senate and House inquiries related to the federal government's use of private detention facilities*
• Counsel for IRS Commissioner in successful defense against impeachment effort*

*Certain matters were prior to joining Kirkland