Webcast: Navigating DOJ’s M&A Safe Harbor: Policy, Practice, and Strategic Implications
Webcasts | December 11, 2025
Join Gibson Dunn’s White Collar Defense and Investigations team for a timely webcast exploring the U.S. Department of Justice’s M&A Safe Harbor policy. This recorded session unpacks the policy’s scope, practical application, and implications for deal diligence, post-close integration, and voluntary disclosures. Our panel shares insights from recent matters, discusses best practices for navigating enforcement risks in M&A transactions, and offers guidance on how to leverage the Safe Harbor to mitigate liability. Whether you’re advising on deals or managing compliance, this webcast provides actionable strategies to protect your clients and companies in today’s enforcement landscape.
MCLE CREDIT INFORMATION:
This program has been approved for credit in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board for a maximum of 1.0 credit hour, of which 1.0 credit hour may be applied toward the areas of professional practice requirement. This course is approved for transitional/non-transitional credit.
Attorneys seeking New York credit must obtain an Affirmation Form prior to watching the archived version of this webcast. Please contact CLE@gibsondunn.com to request the MCLE form.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP certifies that this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 1.0 hour in the General category.
California attorneys may claim “self-study” credit for viewing the archived version of this webcast. No certificate of attendance is required for California “self-study” credit.
PANELISTS:
Patrick F. Stokes is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office and Co-Chair of the Anti-Corruption & FCPA Practice Group. He handles internal corporate investigations, government enforcement matters, and compliance reviews and routinely advises clients on anti-corruption compliance, monitorships, and risk assessments. Prior to joining Gibson Dunn, Patrick headed the FCPA Unit of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he managed the FCPA enforcement program and all criminal FCPA matters throughout the United States.
Matthew (Matt) S. Axelrod is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. and Co-Chair of the firm’s Sanctions & Export Enforcement practice. Matt is the only person to have previously served as both Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice and Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s BIS. His over 25 years of government enforcement, white-collar defense, and crisis management experience are why clients consistently rely on Matt to help them navigate their most sensitive and complex matters.
Michael M. Farhang is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Los Angeles office and a member of the White Collar Defense & Investigations and Securities Litigation practice groups. A former federal prosecutor, Michael is an experienced litigator and trial attorney who specializes in private M&A litigation matters, including rep and warranty, earnout, and working capital disputes, as well as the defense of companies, directors, and executives in DOJ and SEC investigations and in shareholder class actions, derivative suits and other commercial litigation.
Alexander D. Fine is a partner in Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office and is a member of the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions, Finance, and Private Equity Practice Groups. Alexander’s practice focuses on advising private equity sponsors and public companies on a wide range of transactional matters, including strategic mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, minority investments, and joint ventures. He also advises clients on corporate governance and securities law matters.
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