Marie-Agnès Nicolas is a member of Hughes Hubbard’s Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Group and Litigation Department.
In connection with her anti-corruption work, Marie-Agnès Nicolas advises large multinational companies on a range of anti-corruption issues in connection with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the French anti-corruption agency (AFA). Among other things, she has assisted a variety of the firm’s clients in designing anti-corruption policies and programs, performing compliance audits, and conducting internal investigations and due diligence reviews on third party agents and joint venture or business partners around the world.
As part of her litigation practice, she has developed a particular expertise advising banks and other financial institutions on a wide range of contentious matters relating to a variety of investment products, including derivatives and structured products, as well as with respect to financial regulatory issues.
Professional Activities
European Law Network, editorial committee member (2007)
Sciences Po’s Jurists Association, member (2006 – 2007)
Highlighted Publications
“France Issues Inaugural Convention Judiciaire d’Intérêt Public,” International Review of Compliance and Business Ethics (March 2018) (article co-authored with L. Perkins)
“How Far Do Your Arms Reach? A Brief Case Study on the Extraterritoriality of Anti-Bribery Laws” International Review of Compliance and Business Ethics (March 2018) (article co-authored B. Sillaman, L. Ioannou and B. Viana)
“Lessons Learned from the First-Ever French Convention Judiciaire d’Intérêt Public Concluded with HSBC,” The Anti-Corruption Report, Vol. 7, No. 2 (January 2018) (article co-authored with Bryan Sillaman)
“La Convention Judiciaire d’Intérêt Public : Quelle compatibilité entre intérêt public de la Société et intérêt privé des sociétés?” (“The Judicial Public Interest Agreement: Is the Public Interest Compatible with Companies’ Private Interest?”), article published as part of the Article series “Loi Sapin 2, FCPA, UKBA, CCA: Comment ne pas se perdre dans le dédale de la conformité?” (“Loi Sapin 2, FCPA, UKBA, CCA: How Not to Get Lost in the Compliance Maze?”), Cahiers de Droit de l’Entreprise n° 2 (March-April 2017) (article co-authored with Anne Hukkelaas Gaustad)
"L’Agence française anti-corruption et la corruption : Vaccin, antidote ou placebo?," Revue internationale de la compliance et de l’éthique des affaires / International Review of Compliance and Business Ethics (March 2017) (article co-authored with Anne Hukkelaas Gaustad)
Cited in “Détenu pendant 17 ans au Cameroun, il réclame reparation," (“Detained for 17 Years in Cameroon, He Claims Compensation”), Le Point (November 30, 2016)
Cited in “Emprisonné dix-sept ans sans motif valable, Michel Thierry Atangana attend réparation du Cameroun,” (“Imprisoned for Seventeen Years Without Valid Ground, Michael Thierry Atangana Seeks Redress from Cameroon”), Le Monde (November 29, 2016)
Highlighted Lectures
Speaker, "Recent Developments in French Anti-Corruption Law," 9th Annual Business Ethics Anti-Corruption Compliance & Fraud Prevention Strategies in CEE, SEE & CIS Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, March 23, 2018
Speaker, “CSR and Preventing Corruption,” Academic Seminar, Ecole de droit Sciences-Po, Paris, France, March 2018
Speaker, “Lessons Learned from the First Round of Audits Conducted by the New French Anti-Corruption Agency,” Cercle France Amérique, Paris, France, January 25, 2018
Speaker, “The New French Settlement Tool: The Judicial Public Interest Agreement,” Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, Paris, France, November 22, 2017
Speaker, “The Right to be Free from Arbitrary Detention: Perspectives of the Victims and Their Representatives,” Commemorative Event for the 25th Anniversary of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, U.N. Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, November 28, 2016
Highlighted Matters
Currently assisting a multinational “supermajor” oil and gas company in connection with a worldwide risk assessment and compliance review.
Advising French companies subject to the first controls by the French Anti-Corruption Agency.
Advising companies on the implementation of the requirements of various anti-corruption laws and standards (including the Loi Sapin II, the FCPA and the UK Bribery Act).
Assisted European institutions in connection with criminal proceedings involving charges of bribery, fraud, forgery and misuse of assets in connection with the financing of commercial operations in Africa.
Defended a leading French bank in a criminal fraud case brought by individuals having been defrauded by a former private banking advisor.
Defended former manager of a multinational company in French criminal proceedings for misuse of corporate assets.
Defended a leading French bank in criminal proceedings for false advertising.
Defended French bank against class suit involving more than in 500 claimants) in before civil and criminal courts and regulatory agencies, relating to the non-performance of financial products.
Assisted a leading international telecommunication company in connection with a worldwide expertise involving a 80 million euros claim.
Advised several prominent French banks and credit institution in connection with litigation relating to the performance of financial products.
Advised a leading French bank in multi-million euros dispute relating to financing of international oil trading.
Assisted French bank in connection with U.S. discovery proceedings.
Pro bono representation of victim of arbitrary detention before United Nations (including United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention) and French government bodies.
