Verified profile

Scott Hulsey

White collar, litigation, and compliance practice.

Scott Hulsey's profile photo
LocationWashington | AtlantaDistrict of Columbia, United States
Current rolePartnerBarnes & Thornburg LLP · since Aug 2022
Government service18yrsU.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) · U.S. Attorney’s Office

About

Scott Hulsey navigates the complex world of white collar criminal and regulatory enforcement for businesses and individuals alike. His experience as a high-ranking U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) official and corporate chief compliance officer allows him to craft tailored solutions for companies, executives, and other high-powered individuals facing serious legal challenges. Scott has assisted companies across multiple industries and of all sizes, including Fortune 100s, with internal investigations and legal and regulatory compliance programming.

Scott understands the intricacies of both corporate operations and government investigations. His tenure as Chief Compliance Officer at General Electric Energy Connections (now Vernova), overseeing global compliance across 122+ countries, informs his approach to building and enhancing compliance programs and conducting internal investigations. Simultaneously, his roles as an Associate Deputy Attorney General and Assistant U.S. Attorney provide crucial insights into defending corporations from enforcement actions and responding to prosecutorial strategies.

In the courtroom, Scott's prowess is evident. With 60+ federal and state jury and bench trials to his credit, he brings seasoned litigation skills to each case. His work includes defending companies and individuals from investigations and charges by the DOJ and other enforcement agencies, involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, healthcare fraud, accounting fraud, money laundering, International Traffic in Arms Regulations, sanctions, and other violations.

Scott's international experience, rooted in his time as the DOJ’s top representative in Sarajevo, further distinguishes his practice and multi-dimensional skillset. His deep familiarity with Latin America and Europe enables him to navigate cross-border legal matters with nuanced understanding and cultural acumen.

Roles

Aug 2022–Present
Current role

Partner

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Washington | Atlanta, District of Columbia

Civil LitigationInternational Trade LawBusiness / Corporate ServicesSecurities LawWhite Collar CrimeComplianceCorporate Law

Represent companies and executives in finding solutions to their problems. This includes defending companies and individuals being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and Securities & Exchange Commission; defending corporate executives against class actions; representing individuals and companies facing sanctions; and assisting whistleblower plaintiffs.

May 2018–Jul 2022
Former role

Lawyer

Kobre & Kim

Washington, District of Columbia

EnforcementProtection / Executive ProtectionSecurities LawWhite Collar Crime

Handled cross-border white collar criminal and government enforcement defense and asset recovery matters.

Nov 2016–Dec 2017
Former role

Chief Compliance Officer

General Electric Energy Connections (now Vernova)

Atlanta, Georgia

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)International Trade LawSecurities LawLegal InvestigatorWhite Collar CrimeCompliance

Oversee compliance program for Energy Connections, which has more than 47,000 employees, operates in over 150 countries, earns $7.6 billion revenue annually, and transmits energy globally

Ensure compliance with all laws and regulations where Energy Connections operates, with special focus on anti-trust, anti-bribery (FCPA), government contracting, controllership, and privacy laws

Lead global team of 10 compliance leaders based in the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East

Oversee GE Ethics Code initiatives, including training, communications, and monitoring of controls

Conduct investigations of legal and policy violations

Mar 2015–Oct 2016
Former role

Associate Deputy Attorney General (hired as Senior Counsel)

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates

(appointed)District of Columbia

Security and Law EnforcementLaw Enforcement / PoliceCriminal LawCybercrimeCriminal Investigation

Assisted US Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates in overseeing DOJ operations, liaising with external parties, and developing and administering departmental policies

Served as liaison to state and local law enforcement on criminal justice policy issues

Served as liaison to Department of Homeland Security, with focus on criminal immigration policy

Served as member of the Department’s capital case review committee

Oversaw the grant-making and policing reform efforts by the Department’s Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services (COPS)

Led the Department’s response to the opioid and heroin abuse and overdose epidemic, including the creation of National Heroin Task Force Report submitted to Congress in December 2015

Facilitated law enforcement transition to National Incident-Based Reporting System

Oversaw development of national “Use of Force” data collection system

Jan 2011–Mar 2015
Former role

Chief

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Transnational Organized Crime & Narcotics

(appointed)Georgia

White Collar CrimeCriminal LawCriminal Investigation

Led 26-employee section responsible for prosecuting international organized crime and narcotics cases

As supervisor, developed and implemented prosecution policies, monitored employee performance, oversaw crisis response and risk management, facilitated professional development, reviewed operational decisions, and executed personnel actions

Directed or oversaw dozens of sophisticated Title III wiretap and financial/money laundering investigations, involving dozens of defendants, multi-hundred kilogram quantities of drugs, and millions of dollars in currency and assets

Expertise in electronic surveillance techniques, including “pings,” trackers, stingray technologies, cell-site and toll analysis, and Title III wiretaps

Developed and oversaw implementation of “Smart on Crime” policies.

Jan 2005–Mar 2015
Former role

Assistant U.S Attorney

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

(appointed)Georgia

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA)White Collar CrimeCriminal LawCriminal InvestigationConservative Public Interest Law

Tried approximately 12 complex federal jury cases resulting in conviction or plea

Directed or oversaw dozens of sophisticated Title III wiretap and financial/money laundering investigations, involving dozens of defendants, multi-hundred kilogram quantities of drugs, and millions of dollars in currency and assets

Expertise in electronic surveillance techniques, including “pings,” trackers, stingray technologies, cell-site and toll analysis, and Title III wiretaps

Prosecuted a wide range of federal felony crimes, including narcotics, money laundering, white collar, public corruption, and violent crime cases

Developed and oversaw implementation of “Smart on Crime” policies.

Obtained convictions after 1-month jury trial of owners/operators of “pill mill” responsible for distribution of tens of millions of opioid pills prescribed by rogue doctor

Obtained conviction after jury trial of former comptroller who embezzled funds from Grady Hospital

Successfully prosecuted multi-defendant jury trial, involving a ring of baggage handlers who trafficked narcotics through Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

Jan 1999–Jan 2005
Former role

Assistant DA

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office Fulton County District Attorney

(appointed)Georgia

Attorney AdvisorGovernmentCriminal LawCriminal Investigation

Successfully prosecuted state felony crimes

Started in Forfeiture Unit; promoted to the Major Drugs Unit and ultimately to the Major Crimes Unit (murder cases)

Handled an average docket of 120 active cases

Tried 26 jury trials as lead counsel, 25 resulting in conviction or plea

Tried 28 asset forfeiture bench trials as lead counsel

Oct 1994–Oct 1997
Former role

Associate

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Washington, District of Columbia

Civil LitigationEmployment / Labor Law

Defended rail lines, including CSX Transportation, in federal labor disputes

Defended Food Lion in complex labor dispute

Handled various aspects of litigation, including depositions, discovery, and pleadings

Representative matters

Experience

April 2025

Representation of healthcare CEO in an investigation being conducted by the U.S. DOJ into alleged healthcare fraud and violations of the antikickback statute. Representation of a corporate executive charged with ITAR and related violations, accused of having removed sensitive information from the United States without permission. Representation of a corporation general counsel whose company was being investigated for possible antitrust (no-poach) violations. Representation of one of the world’s largest investment management firms in multiple grand jury investigations where it has been identified as a victim of fraud. Representation of former executives and upper management of an electronic consumer product company in connection with an investigation by the DOJ, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and SEC into alleged false marketing practices and securities fraud, and in parallel multi-district class action litigations. Representation of an international company in developing and executing a cross-border asset recovery strategy against assets and targets located in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S., among other jurisdictions, to recover over US $300 million taken by fraud. Representation of a Brazilian EPC conglomerate in developing a global defensive strategy in connection with a hostile takeover attempt. Representation of a company seeking to recover hundreds of millions lost pursuant to an international construction-related fraud. Representation of a journalist seeking recovery under the Anti-Terrorist Act from a Qatari bank alleged to have facilitated financing for a terrorist group that had kidnapped him. Representation of Hong Kong-based investment funds owed over US $200 million in their enforcement of a judgment award against the debtors based on defaulted bond debt, involving simultaneous proceedings in New York state court, Alabama bankruptcy court and the India High Court. *These matters occurred prior to joining Barnes & Thornburg.

Recognition

Honors

Margaret Smith Award

Fulton County District Attorney’s Office

January 2005

Publications & speeches

Monitorships in East Asia

Global Investigations Review

April 2022

Corporate Fraud and Corruption

Financier Worldwide

April 2021

Congressional investigations and oversight of covid-19 relief likely to stretch beyond U.S. borders

Global Investigations Review

June 2020

Corporate Fraud and Corruption

Corporate Fraud and Corruption

May 2020

Why (and How) Public Companies and Traders Should Prepare for Regulatory Scrutiny Post-COVID-19

Corporate Counsel

April 2020

INSIGHT: Responding to Dawn Raids—Advice for Foreign Companies Operating in the U.S

Bloomberg Law

September 2019

The Side Effects Of Policing 'Speech Monopolies

Law360

October 2018

Smart on Crime: Charging and Sentencing Recommendations

USA Bulletin

January 2015