Joanna R. Travalini
Securities and Shareholder Litigation
Securities Enforcement and Regulatory
Crisis Management and Strategic Response
Biography
JOANNA TRAVALINI concentrates her practice on complex accounting and professional liability matters, regulatory enforcement, and sensitive internal and government investigations. She represents public companies, financial institutions, accounting firms, and their executives in high stakes matters involving the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and other domestic and international regulators. Joanna draws from her licensure as a certified public accountant and years of experience in public accounting in representing her clients.
Joanna handles matters at the intersection of litigation and enforcement risk, advising clients facing allegations concerning financial reporting, auditor liability, and securities fraud and helping them navigate particularly sensitive matters involving regulators, prosecutors, and corporate stakeholders. She regularly leads internal investigations and litigation matters while counseling clients through parallel regulatory, civil, and criminal proceedings, often in matters presenting significant reputational, governance, and enterprise risk.
Joanna was named to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Securities Litigation in 2021 and 2022 and recognized in Best Lawyers: Women in the Law 2021. She was listed in Crain’s Chicago Business 2021 and 2022 under Notable Rising Stars in Law.
Experience
Representative Matters
Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Proceedings
- A UK-based insurance broker in DOJ investigation related to alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- A public accounting firm in SEC investigation related to its audits of a large cryptocurrency exchange.
- An international public accounting firm in PCAOB enforcement action related to the firm’s audits of a China-based educational service provider and the company’s improper revenue recognition.
- A drug rehabilitation center and its CEO in SEC enforcement action alleging 10(b) and Section 5 violations.
- An international public accounting firm in SEC and PCAOB enforcement actions related to the firm’s audits of a publicly traded energy company and the company’s suspected improper revenue recognition.
- The former Business Unit CEO of a publicly traded Fortune 50 company in SEC investigation involving accounting practices.
- A financial institution in SEC enforcement action and inquiries by the Department of the Treasury related to allegations of corporate fraud and financial mismanagement.
- The former CFO of a publicly traded company in SEC and DOJ investigations related to the company’s alleged financial improprieties.
- The former partner of a Big 4 accounting firm in SEC enforcement action related to allegations concerning auditor independence.
- A technology company in an internal investigation and inquiries by the SEC and DOJ related to allegations of fraudulent conduct by company employees.
Securities and Commercial Litigation
- An international public accounting firm in a securities class action and state litigation relating to its audits of a financial advisor that entered into receivership.
- An international public accounting firm in multi-district litigation relating to its audits of the world’s largest commodity futures merchant.
- An international financial institution accused of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with a large pyramid scheme.
- An international financial institution in litigation tied to the subprime mortgage crisis.
- A consumer-goods company in an arbitration, successfully obtaining an arbitration award in a deferred tax and contract interpretation dispute.
Internal Investigations
- A public consumer goods company in an internal investigation related to whistleblower allegations concerning corporate internal controls and accounting practices.
- A pharmaceutical corporation in an internal investigation related to the accounting for sales rebate accruals.
- The audit committee of a distribution company in an internal investigation related to allegations of corporate fraud.
Diligence and Deal Counseling
- Arthur J. Gallagher in its US$13.45 billion acquisition of AssuredPartners from GTCR.
Some of the above matters were handled prior to joining Sidley.
Community Involvement
Membership & Activities
- Joanna is a member of the American Bar Association’s Professional Liability Litigation Committee.
Credentials
- 美国区域法院, 伊利诺州北部 - 一般事务
- U.S. District Court, E.D. of Michigan
- 美国伊利诺州
- 西北大学法学院, 法学博士, 2009
- 西北大学凯洛格商学院, 工商管理硕士, 2009
- Boston College, 文学学士, 2001