Sarah Pfuhl's practice focuses on governmental investigations, internal investigations, and crisis management assistance. She has represented global financial institutions, public companies, and individuals under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Justice, the US Congress, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and state attorneys general in a variety of matters. Ms. Pfuhl has particular expertise in advising financial institutions and companies on Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering (BSA/AML) compliance and BSA/AML-related internal investigations. She also has extensive experience in working with financial institutions in connection with OCC examinations and enforcement actions.

In 2014, Ms. Pfuhl was named a “Rising Star” by the New York Law Journal.

Ms. Pfuhl’s recent matters have included:

Counsel to several global financial institutions and senior executives in connection with congressional investigations into the 2008 financial crisis.
Counsel to a global financial institution in connection with a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) inquiry regarding risk management practices.
Counsel to a global financial institution in connection with a high profile BSA/AML investigation by the PSI and other governmental entities.
Counsel to several financial institutions in connection with congressional, state AG, and federal mortgage foreclosure crisis inquiries.
Counsel to a global financial services company in connection with House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Department of Justice, and other inquiries related to a TARP-assisted merger.
Counsel to several senior executives in connection with SEC insider trading investigations.

Ms. Pfuhl has an active pro bono practice that includes successfully representing individuals seeking asylum in the United States and individuals seeking orders of protection in domestic violence cases. She has won permanent residency status for a Ghanaian citizen through a 1-360 petition under the Violence Against Women Act; and political asylum for a Georgian citizen persecuted for journalist activities in Russia. She has also worked on research projects for the Open Society on international criminal law issues and for the Government of Liberia on issues relating to the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission.