Reginald J. Brown, P.C.
Overview
He is the best in the business. There is no one who comes close to his ability in Congressional investigations.” - Chambers’ Crisis & Risk Management, 2022
Reginald “Reg” Brown is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. He has a vibrant and diverse crisis and governmental investigations practice, and regularly counsels industry-leading clients facing complex and significant regulatory, enforcement and reputational matters. Chambers’ reviewers in 2024 say Reg’s “vast connections, wealth of experience and laser-focused strategic guidance is unparalleled in Washington.” He is ranked by Chambers as Band 1 in both Crisis Management and Congressional Investigations. Reg is also ranked by Chambers as a leading financial institutions lawyer.
Reg has assisted leading institutions and high-profile individual clients with more than a hundred-fifty congressional inquiries and hearings, as well as many federal, state and global crisis avoidance and mitigation matters.
Reg also leads teams of lawyers responding to some of the most challenging investigations and inquiries led by departments and agencies within the Administration, Congress, and numerous State Attorneys General. Many of his clients are among the world’s most prominent banks, hedge funds, asset managers, private equity and venture firms, energy companies, technology and social media firms, healthcare institutions and government contractors, as well as individual CEOs and high-ranking public officials. Reg has also assisted prospective and incumbent high-level public officials in connection with complex ethics agreements and governmental controversies.
Prior to joining Kirkland, Reg was a partner at another major law firm for over a decade, where he served as chairman of the firm’s Financial Institutions Group and vice chair of the Crisis Management and Strategic Response Group. He previously served in the White House Counsel’s office, where he was the White House’s principal legal liaison to the Departments of Treasury and Housing and Urban Development, as well as many independent financial services agencies. In this role, he provided counsel on a wide variety of issues. Among other things, Reg served as a counselor for the White House Office of Political Affairs, Presidential Personnel Office and the National Economic Council.
Prior to his federal government service, Reg served as assistant to the CEO and vice president of corporate strategy at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, and as the deputy general counsel to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Federated States of Micronesia early in his professional career.
Experience
Representative Matters
Since joining Kirkland, Reg has been involved in the following matters:
Investigations: Financial Services
- Counsel for four major financial institutions in connection with an annual hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.
- Counsel for a financial firm in connection with an investigation by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party into venture capital investments related to the People’s Republic of China.
- Counsel for a financial services company in connection with a House Agriculture Committee hearing on the future of digital assets.
- Counsel for a major consumer credit reporting agency in connection with an oversight hearing before the Senate Banking Committee.
- Counsel for five major financial institutions in connection with annual hearings before the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee.
- 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 financial institution on legal issues surrounding privacy and the production of key documents in its response to a subpoena from the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol.
- Counsel for major financial institution in connection with multi-state Attorneys General inquiries into its climate-related pledges.
- Counsel for major asset manager in connection with congressional and state legislative inquiries related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.
- Counsel to a global financial institution in connection with a bipartisan inquiry from the congressional-Executive Commission on China into the company’s business practices in Hong Kong and globally.
- Counsel for an investment firm in response to congressional inquiries related to housing practices and eviction practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Counsel to major financial institutions in connection with House Committee on Oversight and Accountability requests for financial records relating to the Committee’s investigation of Hunter Biden.
- Counsel for financial services company in connection with congressional inquiries into GameStop equities trading activities.
- Counsel for private equity firm in connection with its investment strategies and on environmental, social and governance issues.
- Counsel for a credit rating agency in connection to congressional hearings on industry practices.
- Counsel for a global quantitative trading firm in connection with congressional oversight.
- Counsel for global financial institution in connection with DOJ and congressional investigations into compliance with a plea agreement.
- Counsel for a major financial institution in connection with congressional inquiries into compliance with sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
Investigations: Energy
- Counsel to an energy company in connection with congressional oversight related to climate change, gas prices, and related issues.
- Counsel to an energy company in connection with inquiries by congressional and state legislative inquiries related to the October 2021 oil spill off the coast of southern California.
- Counsel to a global energy company in connection with high-profile congressional investigations regarding climate issues.
- Counsel to a large energy company in connection with an investigation by the House Ways and Means Committee related to tax policy and data related to prior tax payments.
- Counsel to a large energy company in connection with a review of risks associated with a proposed ban on oil exports by the Biden Administration.
- Counsel for major coal company in connection with congressional oversight and policy developments relating to climate change.
- Counsel for a large conglomerate corporation on regulatory and legislative activities related to climate change and environmental policy.
- Counsel for a refined oil pipeline system company in connection with congressional inquiries into a cybersecurity attack on the company.
Investigations: Technology
- 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 technology company in connection with congressional investigations into Russia’s use of U.S.-made microchips and components in Missiles in its attacks on Ukraine.
- Counsel for a large social media company in connection with congressional inquiries into competition in the digital marketplace and antitrust concerns.
- Counsel to large social media company in connection with congressional inquiries relating to content moderation practices.
- 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 for a large social media company in connection with a congressional investigation of the app’s effects on children and teens.
- Counsel for a major technology company relating to supply chain issues and China’s request to reaffirm its commitment to China-based sourcing.
Investigations: Health Care and Pharmaceuticals
- Counsel for a pharmaceutical company in connection with an inquiry by the Senate HELP Committee regarding inhaled medicines for respiratory diseases and related patent issues.
- Counsel for a pharmaceutical company in connection with a hearing before the Senate HELP Committee on drug pricing.
- Counsel for a major health care company in response to congressional inquiries related to the nationwide infant formula shortage.
- Counsel for a pharmaceutical company in connection with a Senate Finance Committee inquiry regarding international tax practices.
- Counsel for major pharmaceutical companies in connection with congressional oversight and inquiries regarding drug pricing practices.
- Counsel for major pharmaceutical company in connection with congressional inquiries regarding opioid abuse issues and the company’s bankruptcy.
- Counsel for a large health care services company in connection with the use of a CARES Act tax provision to deduct the costs of settling lawsuits related to its role in the U.S. opioid crisis from its federal tax liability.
Investigations: Other
- Counsel for a university in connection with an investigation by the House Education Committee into instances of antisemitism on college campuses.
- Counsel for strategic advisory and investment firm in connection with a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry into the proposed merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
- Counsel for a major global airline in connection with an inquiry by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding ancillary fees in air travel.
- Counsel for a university in connection with an inquiry by the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties into its policies regarding academic freedom and conflicts-of-interest with outside activity.
- Counsel for an accounting firm regarding a congressional oversight inquiry regarding employees who also served in the federal government.
- Counsel for an accounting firm regarding a congressional investigation regarding tax practices.
- Counsel for a large agricultural company relating to an inquiry by the Senate Agriculture Committee on a certain sale of its property.
- Counsel for high-profile Cabinet official in connection with congressional inquiries into the events on January 6, 2021.
- Counsel for an automobile rental company in connection with a congressional inquiry related to allegations of predatory business practices.
- Counsel for an electronic cigarette company in connection with investigations by the SEC and congressional committees relating to marketing and products liability claims.
- Counsel for a cleanup and restoration company in connection with a PSI inquiry.
- 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.
Regulatory
- Counsel for a major financial institution client in connection with an enforcement investigation by the CFPB.
- Counsel for a biotechnology company in connection with litigation brought by the FTC to block an acquisition.
- Counsel for a major managed healthcare and insurance company in connection with a DOJ review of an acquisition.
- Counsel for an automobile rental company relating to an inquiry by the FTC.
Prior to joining Kirkland, Reg was involved in the following matters:
Investigations
- Counsel for numerous institutions and senior executives in connection with Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission inquiries.
- Counsel for several financial institutions in connection with congressional, State AG, or federal mortgage foreclosure crisis inquiries.
- Counsel for IRS Commissioner in successful defense against impeachment effort.
- Counsel for a global energy company in connection with a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) inquiry regarding trading activities.
- Counsel for major pharmaceutical company in inquiry regarding opioid abuse issues.
- Counsel for a leading U.S. retailer in connection with a high-profile data breach controversy.
- Counsel for a major activist hedge fund in connection with a Senate Aging Committee inquiry regarding drug price increases.
- Counsel for a global communications company in connection with a PSI inquiry regarding customer service practices in the pay TV sector.
- Counsel for a global social media company in connection with a Senate Commerce Committee inquiry regarding alleged suppression of content.
- Counsel for high-profile Cabinet nominee in Senate confirmation and ethics office proceedings.
- Counsel for a government contractor in connection with inquiries regarding Edward Snowden and related national security issues.
- Counsel for a global financial institution in a DOJ, IRS and PSI inquiry regarding offshore banking and possible tax avoidance by US taxpayers.
- Counsel for a major financial institution in connection with a CFPB inquiry regarding mortgage insurance arrangements.
- Counsel for a large short-term lender in connection with a CFPB inquiry regarding debt collection practices.
- Counsel for a high-profile technology company in connection with a PSI inquiry regarding repatriation and other tax related issues.
- Counsel for global financial institution in connection with PSI inquiry regarding risk management practices.
- Counsel for a former member of the Hewlett-Packard Board of Directors in connection with the HP “pretexting” scandal, including corporate, congressional, SEC and DOJ inquiries.
- Counsel for a four star Army general in connection with Benghazi-related inquiries.
- Counsel for a global financial institution in connection with a CFPB inquiry regarding vendor issues.
- Counsel for hedge fund in connection with a Senate Banking Committee inquiry regarding high-frequency trading.
- Counsel for broker dealer in Grassley, SEC and SDNY inquiry in connection with “political intelligence” firms.
- Counsel for green energy entity in connection with stimulus program inquiries by the House Energy and Commerce and House Oversight and Government Reform Committees.
- Counsel for a global engineering and construction company in connection with a governmental inquiry regarding whistleblower allegations at a nuclear facility.
- Counsel for several other high-profile entities in connection with stimulus program inquiries by Congress and the Executive Branch.
- Counsel for a CEO in connection with a state and federal investigation regarding gifts to a prominent State Governor.
- Counsel for a major research university in connection with congressional and other inquiries regarding a high-profile fatality.
- Counsel for former Congressman Jim Kolbe in connection with a House Ethics Committee Investigation and DOJ Preliminary Inquiry; both matters closed with no finding of wrongdoing.
- Counsel for a CEO in connection with House Ethics Committee investigation of Congressman Charles Rangel.
- Counsel for congressional staffers in connection with high-profile ethics investigation by FBI.
- Counsel for secret service agent in connection with high-profile inquiry regarding presidential visit to South America.
- Counsel for a government contractor in an oversight inquiry regarding background check services provided to the Office of Personnel Management.
- Counsel for a global financial institution in connection with a TARP Special Inspector General inquiry.
- Counsel for social media company in multistate Attorney General data breach inquiry.
- Counsel for a medical device company in connection with a House Energy and Commerce Committee inquiry regarding dual use technology and national security issues.
- Counsel for an energy company in connection with a House Energy and Commerce Committee inquiry regarding fracturing.
- Counsel for a global financial services company in connection with House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and other inquiries regarding a TARP-assisted merger.
- Counsel for portfolio company in connection with fraud, waste and abuse inquiry by Senator Charles Grassley.
- Counsel for automotive dealers and community banks in connection with Department of Justice Civil Rights Division investigations.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with DOJ Civil Rights Division and HUD inquiries.
- Counsel for a former defense industry CEO in connection with a Department of Justice public corruption investigation.
- Counsel for a structured payments company in connection with a CFPB inquiry regarding marketing practices.
- Counsel for a media company in connection with a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee inquiry regarding possible false statements by a CEO.
- Counsel for a CEO in connection with a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee inquiry regarding hedge funds and the financial markets.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with a PSI investigation regarding dividend tax payments.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with a high-profile AML investigation by the PSI and other governmental entities.
- Counsel for an internet company in connection with a House Judiciary Committee hearing regarding privacy issues.
- Counsel for a transportation and shipping company in connection with a House Judiciary Committee inquiry regarding corporate downsizing.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with a PSI inquiry regarding the tax treatment of complex financial instruments.
- Counsel for a CEO in connection with a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee investigation and hearing regarding executive compensation.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with an Office of Congressional Ethics inquiry.
- Counsel for several senior U.S. government officials in connection with congressional and executive branch inquiries.
- Counsel for a senior foreign official in connection with US inquiries relating to the United Nations “Oil for Food” investigation.
- Counsel for a defense contractor in connection with a congressional ethics probe.
- Counsel for a large student loan company in connection with multistate and federal investigations into lending practices.
- Counsel for a financial institution in connection with Ethics Committee investigation of Congresswoman Maxine Waters.
- Additional significant recent experience representing clients before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; House Energy and Commerce Committee; House Education and Labor Committee; House Armed Services Committee; House Financial Services Committee; House International Relations Committee; House Judiciary Committee; House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Senate Select Committee on Intelligence; Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee; Senate Ethics Committee; Senate Finance Committee; Senate Armed Services Committee; Senate Banking Committee; Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; Senate Health, Education; Labor and Pensions Committee; Senate Aging Committee; Department of Justice Public Integrity Section and the State Attorneys General for Florida, New York, Iowa, Texas and Virginia.
Regulatory Affairs
- Represented a large U.S. energy company in connection with regulatory strategy for several transactions involving major Chinese-owned energy companies.
- Represented Lucent Technologies with respect to the CFIUS review of its merger with Alcatel, and in connection with a related congressional inquiry.
- Represented a large Asian sovereign wealth fund in connection with CFIUS analysis of a major energy transaction.
- Represented a Deutsche Bank subsidiary with respect to the CFIUS review of its acquisition of Maher Terminals, Port of New Jersey and New York.
- Represented the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the world’s largest bank, in connection with its successful application for Federal Reserve Board approval of expanded U.S. branch operations.
- Represented Morgan Stanley in connection with regulatory review of a Japanese investment during the 2008 financial crisis.
Clerk & Government Experience
Special Assistant and Associate White House Counsel to President George W. BushThe White House, Executive Office of the President
Deputy General CounselGovernor Jeb Bush, Florida
Law ClerkHonorable Joseph W. HatchettUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit1996–1997
Pro Bono
- Pro bono counsel for marriage equality brief on behalf of 300 prominent conservatives and libertarians in the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Pro bono counsel for Navy chaplain in successful defense of religious liberty case arising from faith based counseling session.
- Pro bono counsel for Charles Winters in successful application for posthumous presidential pardon.
- Pro bono counsel for American aid worker Jim Allen in successful effort to secure release from detention in Haiti.
- Pro bono counsel for former Peace Corps volunteers who were victims of sexual assault in connection with successful effort to pass the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act.
More
Recognition
Named to Washington, D.C.’s 500 Most Influential People by the Washingtonian Magazine in 2023 and 2024
Recognized by The Legal 500 United States for Government – State Attorneys General in 2023–2024; Government Relations in 2022; Financial Services Litigation in 2022–2024; and Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense in 2021 and 2024
Recognized by Chambers Crisis and Risk Management for Crisis Management in 2022–2024
Recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers in Business as a nationwide leader in Government Relations: Congressional Investigations in 2021–2024 and Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations) in 2020–2024
Selected by peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the area of white collar criminal defense in 2019–2024; banking and finance law in 2020–2024; and government relations in 2021–2024
Named a highly regarded lawyer in the financial services regulatory by IFLR1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms in 2018, 2024
Named a Life Sciences Star by LMG Life Sciences in 2020
Named a 2021 Crisis Leadership Trailblazer by The National Law Journal
Named a 2019 Technology Law Trailblazer by The National Law Journal
Credentials
Admissions & Qualifications
- District of Columbia
- Florida
Education
- Harvard Law SchoolJ.D.cum laude1996
- Yale UniversityB.A., Political Sciencecum laude1989Jackson Prize for Distinguished Service