معرفی
Karen A. Popp serves as Distinguished Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Duke University School of Law, teaching Government Enforcement and Global Corporate Compliance alongside specialized Wintersession courses in Government Lawyering during Crises. She maintains an active dual career as a leading practitioner at Sidley Austin LLP's Washington, D.C. office where she built and directed their global white collar and compliance practice for over two decades.
Her educational foundation includes a law degree from UNC School of Law (1985) where she achieved Order of the Coif distinction and served as editor for the North Carolina Law Review. Prior to private practice, she held significant government roles including Associate White House Counsel for President Clinton, Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York.
Professor Popp's expertise centers on high-stakes legal matters requiring integrated political, public relations, and enforcement strategies. She has conducted internal investigations across 70+ countries, defended corporations against DOJ/SEC actions, and designed compliance programs for multinational clients. Her practice uniquely bridges crisis management, regulatory enforcement defense, and corporate governance advisory work with emphasis on FCPA compliance and cross-border investigations.
Her exceptional contributions are recognized through:
- National Law Journal's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award
- Chambers Global/USA leadership rankings in White Collar & FCPA
- Global Investigations Review's Top 30 FCPA Practitioner designation
- Washingtonian magazine's Top Lawyers Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement honor
- Consistent top-tier recognition from Legal 500, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers
Through her adjunct role, Professor Popp translates active frontline experience into classroom instruction, offering students rare exposure to evolving enforcement landscapes. Her government service history combined with current private practice leadership provides unmatched perspective on crisis response frameworks and regulatory strategy development. She chairs the influential Chief Compliance Officer’s Forum in Washington, D.C., further extending professional development opportunities for engaged students.
