Paige Berges is counsel in Ropes and Gray’s Anti-Corruption and International Risk group. She is a U.S. and UK qualified lawyer with broad cross-border experience conducting internal investigations, enforcement and defence. She focuses on advising clients with pre-investment due diligence and post-investment monitoring to ensure compliance with Economic Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-terrorist financing, and Anti-Corruption regulations. In addition to U.S., UK and pan-European practice, Paige brings significant experience helping clients build compliance programmes across Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the MENA region.

Paige has a strong background in public international law and regularly advises on human rights and humanitarian law. She has long volunteered with and served as special counsel to Lawyers Without Borders, leading on projects related to human rights and governance principles, and prosecuting human trafficking and corruption cases. She frequently writes on and inputs into industry fora on the intersection between financial crime compliance and ESG, including countering the effects of wildlife trafficking and negative impacts on human rights.

Prior to joining Ropes & Gray, she worked at CDC Group Plc, the UK’s Development Finance Institution, and Barclays Investment Bank, where she was responsible for financial crime compliance and sanctions across business lines. From 2007-2015, she practiced litigation and white collar in New York.

Experience

  • Represents global private equity clients in conducting pre-investment due diligence and post-investment monitoring on targets in a range of sectors including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, oil and gas, and transport
  • Assists private equity clients and portfolio companies to enhance anti-bribery and corruption, anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance policies and procedures
  • Secondment to large multinational client as Sanctions counsel advising on U.S., UK and EU sanctions compliance requirements
  • Partnered with Lawyers Without Borders to present to team of prosecutors in Kenya on best practices in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-terrorist financing investigations. Drafted reference materials on anti-money laundering, corruption and counter-terrorist financing laws for prosecutors based in Tanzania
  • Advised South Sudan-based client operating in the charity sector regarding compliance with OFAC regulations in Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia*
  • Represented client at meetings with the Department of Justice on bribery and wire fraud allegations in media sector*
  • Worked on internal investigations related to fraud and bribery allegations for infrastructure, healthcare, and media companies and financial institutions*
  • Successfully represented client before the Securities and Exchange Commission related to banking fraud allegations*
  • Advised global and regional financial institutions based in Kenya, India, Morocco, Egypt, Nepal and Pakistan on best practices in financial crime risk management*
  • Managed internal investigations in Nigeria, Ukraine, Gabon and the DRC, and drafted final report of factual findings and drafted compliance recommendations based on the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act*
  • Designed and conducted trainings for internal stakeholders, and senior management and boards of financial institution and NGO/charity clients*
  • Volunteered at the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania*
  • Partnered with Lawyers Without Borders to conduct trainings on advocacy, negotiation, and communication skills. Participated in training programs at the United Nations DPI/NGO Conference*
  • Observed trial at the U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on behalf of the UN Committee, New York City Bar Association*
*Experience prior to joining Ropes & Gray

Areas of Practice

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    Ropes & Gray International LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in Delaware, United States of America and is a recognised body regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (with registered number 521000).