Overview
Katharine Suominen represents clients in complex commercial litigation, investigations and regulatory proceedings. Her practice frequently involves the defense of US and international public accounting firms and professionals in a broad range of matters, including federal and state civil litigation, investigations and regulatory proceedings by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and state regulators.
Katharine regularly consults and advises clients in connection with a variety of risk and compliance matters. Additionally, she represents companies and individuals in a wide range of white-collar and regulatory enforcement matters. She also has experience handling sensitive investigations, matters involving the False Claims Act and anti-bribery laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Katharine has experience with both state and federal court proceedings. Her trial experience includes cases in federal bankruptcy courts, as well as arbitration and regulatory proceedings.
Results
- Represented Gulf Coast Health Care in five-day contested confirmation hearing resulting in the confirmation of Chapter 11 plan by Delaware bankruptcy court
- Represented Quorum Health Corporation in five-day contested confirmation hearing; Delaware bankruptcy court confirmed Chapter 11 plan over equity holder objection
- Represented the audit committee of a publicly-traded telecommunications company in connection with criminal and civil Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations and a related internal investigation. The Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to prosecute the company, instead issuing a declination letter*
- Represented a construction company executive charged in the Southern District of New York with bribery and public corruption offenses*
- Represented a government transportation organization in an investigation involving the operation of their facilities*
- Represented the executives of a biopharmaceutical company in connection with parallel investigations by the DOJ and Securities and Exchange Commission into allegations of accounting and securities fraud*
- Represented a cryptocurrency company in connection with state and federal investigations into its initial coin offering*
- Represented the director and founder in a breach of fiduciary duty action filed in New York state court*
- Represented a major insurance company in multi-million dollar coverage dispute*
- Represented a multinational technology company in the defense of a putative class action in the Eastern District of New York alleging violations of New York’s deceptive practices act, N.Y. G.B.L. Section 349 and Section 350, and a consumer fraud claim under N.J.S.A. §§ 56:8-1, et seq*
- Represented a creditor in an adversary bankruptcy proceeding filed in the Southern District of Florida*
- Represented a major news organization in a dispute arising from an affiliation agreement pending in Delaware Chancery Court*
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, Commercial Litigation, New York, 2024
Community
- American Bar Association, member
- New York Bar Association, member
Credentials
Education
St. John’s University, JD, 2016
Union College, BA, 2010
Courts/Agencies
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Admissions
New York
