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    Oct. 7, 2026

A Primer on Trade Controls for Compliance Professionals: Which Companies Are at Risk

Given the expansive interest in and use of trade controls by the second Donald Trump presidential administration, it is not difficult for companies to brush up against trade restrictions with significant consequences. This third article in a four-part series on trade controls for compliance professionals considers which companies are at greatest risk, what elements of a business influence that risk and the most likely ways companies can get in trouble. Part one defined and differentiated the most common trade controls, including sanctions, export controls, customs and tariffs. Part two explored the current enforcement landscape. The final installment in the series will explore how companies can strengthen their trade control compliance programs. See “How Tariff Evasion Heightens False Claims and Anti-Corruption Risks” (Nov. 19, 2025).

The Impact of Trump 2.0 Policy Changes on Internal Investigations

In a compliance environment shaped by shifting enforcement priorities, companies may need to reassess how they evaluate complaints, triage allegations and decide when an internal investigation is warranted. This article distills insights offered by three former prosecutors, all with significant in-house investigations experience, on how they are rethinking their internal investigations playbook to account for emerging areas of risk. The discussion, which took place during a webinar co-hosted by the Anti-Corruption Report and the American Conference Institute (ACI) as a lead-up to ACI’s 43rd Annual Conference on FCPA and Global Anti-Corruption to be held in December 2026, offers concrete guidance for compliance teams on escalating concerns and allocating investigative resources. See “Adapting Compliance Programs to Manage Criminal and Civil FTO Risk” (Aug. 12, 2026).

Navigating the AI Omnibus: Key Changes to the E.U. AI Act

Companies that have been racing to prepare for the European Regulation on Artificial Intelligence (E.U. AI Act) now have more time to comply with many of its most significant requirements – but the compliance burden remains largely intact. The E.U. Digital Omnibus on AI (AI Omnibus), which entered into force on July 27, 2026, amends the E.U. AI Act with the stated goals of streamlining regulation and supporting innovation and competitiveness. The extent to which it will achieve those goals, however, remains an open question. This first article in a two-part series offers an overview of the AI Omnibus’ principal amendments to the E.U. AI Act. Part two will discuss what companies can do to prepare for the new compliance deadlines and the impact of the AI Omnibus on enforcement. See our three-part series with answers to top questions about the E.U. AI Act: “Reach and Unique Requirements” (May 22, 2024), “Risk Tiers and Big-Player Transparency” (Jun. 5, 2024), and “Practical Steps and What’s Next” (Jun. 19, 2024).

Using Statistical Analysis to Strengthen Compliance Programs

Statistical analysis can enhance compliance programs by helping companies to assess risk, evaluate controls and make data-driven decisions. A panel during SCCE’s recent Data Analytics for Compliance Programs conference covered how companies can leverage statistical analysis to strengthen these processes. This article distills insights including regulators’ expectations regarding the use of data analytics, the building of risk and control matrices, and how to use statistics to evaluate and improve compliance processes. See “A Step-by-Step Approach to Upleveling Compliance Analytics” (Jul. 2, 2025).

2026 Navex Report Highlights Compliance Program Gaps

Compliance programs at a wide variety of organizations have been developing in positive directions, according to Navex’s 2026 State of Risk & Compliance Report (Report). However, building a mature compliance structure is not the same as nurturing a strong organizational culture. The Report highlights a number of compliance program gaps, including how leaders model behavior, the board’s engagement with compliance issues and employees’ trust that their concerns will be handled fairly. This article summarizes key findings of the Report and distills insights from a related webinar hosted by Navex. See “How Compliance Can Advocate for More Resources As Its Remit Continues to Grow” (Aug. 26, 2026).

Nathaniel Edmonds Joins Whistleblower Aid as Chief Legal Counsel

Former white-collar criminal prosecutor and veteran litigation partner Nathaniel Edmonds has joined the non-profit legal organization Whistleblower Aid as chief legal counsel, based in Washington, D.C. For commentary from Edmonds, see our two-part series on emerging global compliance standards: “DOJ, OECD and World Bank Guidance” (Oct. 22, 2025), and “AFA, SFO and Eight Common Compliance Elements” (Nov. 5, 2025).

Mayer Brown Welcomes Former Senior DOJ Prosecutor

Mayer Brown has welcomed former senior DOJ prosecutor Albert (“BJ”) Stieglitz as a partner in its global investigations and white-collar defense practice in Washington, D.C. He arrives from Alston & Bird. For commentary from Stieglitz, see our two-part series on the Balt settlement: “New DOJ Policies in Action” (Apr. 22, 2026), and “International Cooperation Continues” (May 6, 2026).

Former DOJ Official Joins Honigman

Honigman has announced that former DOJ leader Mark Cipolletti has joined the firm as a partner in its investigations and white collar defense practice group in Washington, D.C. He arrives from Thompson Hine. For insights from Honigman, see our two-part series on the Blanche Memo’s take on corporate responsibility: “Individuals Versus Corporations” (Sep. 10, 2025), and “Collateral Consequences and Global Norms” (Oct. 8, 2025).

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