Derrick Petit

Derrick helps clients navigate the complex roads of both government and internal investigations.

Focusing on investigations related to potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA); the False Claims Act (FCA); the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA); and various Securities Laws; Derrick has represented clients in actions brought by the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and several State Attorney General Offices.

Derrick’s experience includes, representing a multinational biopharmaceutical company in parallel investigations brought by the DOJ and SEC; guiding a Fortune 500 company through an internal FCPA compliance review, and representing a large financial services company in responding to a state attorney general subpoena concerning an investigation into alleged financial crimes by a third party. Derrick also has experience advising clients on a variety of privacy and telecommunications related issues.

Additionally, Derrick is active in the community via his pro bono practice, which includes previously representing nonprofit clients in matters ranging from a trademark litigation before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to filing a habeas corpus petition on behalf of an illegally detained immigrant; and his service as a mentor to various law students via his role as Chair of the Student Affairs Committee of the Washington Bar Association.

Prior to joining the firm, Derrick served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and worked as a White Collar Defense and Telecommunications associate at another large Washington, D.C. law firm. Prior to entering law school, he taught middle school social studies in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2012. Derrick is also the founder and president of a local nonprofit, Gay Professional Men of Color.