Reuben J. Sequeira
Biography
Overview
Reuben Sequeira advises private companies, sovereigns, and multilateral institutions in the resolution of international disputes. He represents clients in litigation before US trial and appellate courts, in investigations brought by US government agencies, and in international arbitrations. Mr. Sequeira regularly advises on and litigates legal issues of first impression. Having both a financial and technical background, he provides clarity where disputes involve complex factual issues.
Many of Mr. Sequeira's matters concern issues particularly important to foreign entities and sovereigns: the extraterritorial applicability of US law, US courts' limited authority to assert jurisdiction over foreign defendants, and, conversely, the ability of foreign plaintiffs to assert claims in US courts. Mr. Sequeira has litigated and advised on these issues in the context of, for example, US securities laws, US anti-terrorism laws, and sovereign immunity matters.
In addition to litigation, Mr. Sequeira leverages his past experience with data systems, financial accounting, and analytics to optimize the execution of internal investigations, including, for example, regarding compliance with sanctions, anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations and standards.
Based on his extensive experience with the US Anti-Terrorism Act (18 U.S.C. § 2333, et seq.), Mr. Sequeira provides pro bono advice to international NGOs on compliance with US anti-terrorism laws.
Mr. Sequeira is based in Washington, DC.
Experience
Resisting application of the anti-fraud provision in Section 10(b) of the US Securities Exchange Act to a foreign issuer in class-action litigation.
Successfully defending a foreign financial institution in multiple jurisdictions against mass tort claims, including under the US Anti-Terrorism Act (18 U.S.C. § 2333, et seq.). Won in trial and appellate courts, including on issues of first impression.
Successfully representing a foreign-headquartered technology company and its US subsidiaries under investigation by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with accounting issues; the investigations were dropped.
Organizing an international bank's internal review of its compliance with sanctions and anti-money laundering regimes, and an assessment of its related controls.
Successfully defending a foreign sovereign in arbitration over infrastructure contracts.
Advising a foreign, state-owned entity on US litigation risks related to securities issuance.
Advising a foreign sovereign in a treaty dispute regarding obligations under international law and applicable environmental regulations.