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Carolina A. Fornos, Partner

Carolina A. Fornos

Partner
New York

Partner, New York

T: +1.212.858.1558
T: +1.212.858.1558

Areas of Focus

Carolina A. Fornos, the head of Pillsbury’s New York Litigation group and the leader of its Latin America practice, is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney whose practice focuses on international commercial disputes, civil and criminal enforcement matters, and cross-border internal investigations and compliance.

Carolina has extensive experience in all phases of federal investigations and litigation. As a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, in both the civil and criminal divisions, she spent almost nine years handling a wide range of matters ranging from False Claims Act cases and health care fraud to bribery, bank fraud, tax fraud and money laundering violations. As a member of the Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Unit, Carolina investigated money laundering crimes and potential violations of the Bank Secrecy Act.

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Building on her extensive government experience, Carolina’s practice at Pillsbury focuses on three areas: First, she provides informed and practical advice to corporations with respect to creating, refining and adhering to compliance programs. Second, Carolina guides her clients through the challenges of internal investigations with an eye towards efficiently assessing risk and, where needed, taking corrective measures. Third, Carolina represents clients in complex commercial litigations that often involve alleged commercial malfeasance, such as bribery or fraud. Fluent in Spanish, Carolina’s practice also serves Latin American clients in all the above areas.

Representative Experience

  • Assisted foreign banks and other companies with improving compliance with U.S. laws and regulations.
  • Advised foreign companies on FCPA compliance and best practices.
  • Assisted an American utility company with an internal investigation into cybersecurity issues and related matters.

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  • Cross-Border Litigation
    • Representing several leading financial institutions in the Middle East alleged to have violated the Anti-Terrorism Act and Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.
    • Representing Bombardier and its related affiliates in adversary proceedings brought by the chapter 7 trustee of an international air charter operator that filed for bankruptcy and is now seeking to claw back over $450 million from various entities.
    • Defending a Mexican client in a breach of contract suit regarding a software product.
  • FCPA, Anti-Money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act and Asset Forfeiture Investigations and Litigation
    • Representing former banking executives in a grand jury investigation related to potential violations of AML regulations.
    • Representing an international company in DOJ and SEC investigation regarding alleged money laundering, fraud (bank fraud, wire fraud and securities fraud), and violations of the registration provisions of the securities laws.
    • Representing multiple bank executives in connection with allegations of AML/BSA violations.
    • Representing an international fintech company as lead counsel in an internal investigation and in government inquiries related to allegations of insider trading, fraud, money laundering and HR-related violations, with witnesses and documents located abroad.
    • Advised several financial institutions and bank employees in connection with U.S. government investigations related to the Panama Papers leak.
    • Advised foreign companies on FCPA compliance.
    • As a prosecutor, worked with numerous federal agencies to investigate money laundering and potential violations of the Bank Secrecy Act by financial institutions whose AML procedures failed to identify risk patterns associated with potential criminal activity.
  • Commercial Litigation
    • Successfully represented financial institution at trial in connection with multiple breach of contract actions involving real estate portfolio.
    • Handled a nationwide products liability class action involving allegations of defective plumbing products, defeating class certification.
    • Defended cannabis company in commercial disputes.

Professional Highlights

  • Served in the Office of the White House Counsel vetting candidates for presidential appointments (2010 – 2011).
  • Frequent contributor to a variety of publications on topics involving white collar defense, AML and regulatory enforcement issues.
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S. in Corporate Investigations & White-Collar Criminal Defense (2017 – 2019).

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Education

  • J.D., Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans, 2000
    Member of Loyola Law Review and National Moot Court Team

    M.A., Political Science, Louisiana State University, 1996

    B.A., Political Science, Louisiana State University, 1994

    B.A., French Literature, Louisiana State University, 1994

Admissions

  • New York

Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court

    U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

    U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

    U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Languages

  • Spanish

Carolina's Insights

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