Jean-Pierre Picca
Biography
Overview
Jean-Pierre Picca is a partner in the White Collar & Regulatory group of the Paris office.
A senior Legal Advisor to the President of the French Republic between 2010 and 2012 as well as Senior Prosecutor, Jean-Pierre Picca held a variety of high-level duties within the French judiciary before joining the Firm.
He notably performed functions as a Senior Liaison Legal Advisor to the US DoJ between 2002 and 2007. Jean-Pierre has 30 years of experience in the criminal area both as a prosecutor in France and in the United States and as a defense lawyer. He was involved in landmark cases such as the crash of the Concorde, the Executive Life / Crédit Lyonnais matter and the criminal investigations in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Since joining White & Case, Jean-Pierre has been at the forefront of headline financial investigations and cross-border complex litigations, advising several leading French banks in major investigations driven notably by the French and US authorities. He has acquired a deep knowledge of strategic issues and frequently advises top management of his clients.
He represented both companies and individuals in the course of major international sanctions cases. He is also deeply involved in the context of the EURIBOR / LIBOR investigations (US DOJ, SFO, CFTC and foreign regulators) alongside a major international bank. He regularly advises a major private equity fund on several aspects: anticorruption, criminal investigations, transfer and sale of shares. Jean-Pierre assists also several clients on complex compliance issues (governance, compliance with AML regulations in France and abroad).
From his time in senior office, Jean-Pierre Picca has acquired in-depth knowledge of the judicial processes of France, the United States and other countries around the world. He has recognized skills in crisis management and complex cross-border disputes.
Experience
International money laundering investigation
Jean-Pierre advised senior level managers of a major French bank in connection with an international money laundering investigation conducted by the Argentinian authorities.
Criminal investigation (corruption)
Jean-Pierre advised a major foreign private equity firm in connection with a criminal investigation conducted in France related to suspicious activities of international corruption.
Cross-border investigations
Jean-Pierre advised a major French bank on cross-border investigations conducted by several regulatory authorities (US, France, UK, European Commission, Switzerland, Singapore).
OFAC investigation
Jean-Pierre advised a major French bank in connection with an OFAC investigation, advising the top management and representing the bank in connection with investigations by US federal and state criminal law and regulatory authorities. Jean-Pierre advised also this client in the implementation of the remediation plan imposed by the regulators.
OFAC investigation of a French global financing institution
Jean-Pierre represented senior level management, compliance officers and other employees, in an OFAC investigation of a French global financing institution based in the EU, which was conducted by the United States Department of Justice, the Southern District of the United States Attorney's Office (New York City), the New York County District Attorney's Office, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and the Department of Financial Services of the State of New York.
Compliance
Jean-Pierre advised major French Banks on several compliance issues related to international sanctions and to the French anti-corruption law "Loi Sapin II".
"The Judge and the Compliance", July 2017: conference organized by the French Supreme Court (Cour de cassation)
"The anti-corruption law, loi Sapin II", September 2017: conference organized by AEDBF (Association Européenne pour le Droit Bancaire et Financier)
"The principles of Banking and Financial Regulatory laws", 2014 – ongoing: Paris Institute of Political Sciences (Sciences Po), (maître de conference), (lecturer)
"The challenges for companies facing the extraterritorial application of law (L'entreprise face aux effets extraterritoriaux du droit)", January 2015: conference organized by the Paris Law University and the Club des Juristes, (speaker)
"The FCPA provisions and the settlements with the US Authorities", February 2014: roundtable organized by France Amérique, (speaker)
"US deals of Justice", December 2013: conference organized by Conventions and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (speaker)
Co-authored the France chapter of The European, Middle Eastern and African Investigations Review 2016 and 2017 - Global Investigations Review (GIR)
Recognized as Leading Individual, Compliance, Legal 500 EMEA – France, 2021
Recognized as Leading Lawyer (Band 2), Corporate Compliance & Investigations, Chambers Europe – France, 2021
"Jean-Pierre Picca is often sought after by financial services sector clients to assist with anti-corruption and international sanctions issues. One satisfied client comments: 'He performed extremely well,' and further praises the 'quality of his advice.'"
Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor
Knight of the National Order of the Merit
