Profile

Eric Cottrell leads the Firm’s Antitrust, Business Torts & White Collar Practice Group. He is a seasoned litigator in both civil and criminal matters and has been lead counsel in multiple jury trials. He divides his practice between white collar criminal matters and commercial litigation.
 
Mr. Cottrell represents businesses that are the subject of government inquiries and conducts internal investigations into allegations of corporate misconduct. He has particular experience in managing complex Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations and advising companies on FCPA compliance matters. Mr. Cottrell recently concluded a federal grand jury investigation related to alleged FCPA violations. He successfully obtained a declination letter from the Department of Justice, formally closing the matter with no penalties or fines.
 
Mr. Cottrell also has significant experience advising companies on complying with U.S. export control laws and investigating and disclosing violations to federal authorities. He has conducted numerous internal investigations involving alleged violations of the ITAR, EAR and OFAC regulations, including alleged exports to Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
In his commercial litigation practice, Mr. Cottrell represents public and private entities in shareholder litigation, commercial contract disputes, financial services and securities litigation, trade secret litigation and product liability defense. He has served as trial counsel for companies in federal and state court and has often litigated in the North Carolina Business Court. Mr. Cottrell also has extensive experience in managing complex and time-sensitive electronic discovery matters.

Experience Highlights

• Represented defense contractor in comprehensive export enforcement action conducted by multiple federal agencies
• Represented defense contractor in multi-country FCPA investigation and successfully resolved the matter with no fines or penalties
• Conducted internal investigation into alleged accounting irregularities on behalf of audit committee of public corporation
• Represented defense contractor in inquiry by U.S. Senate Committee
• Represented major chemical manufacturer in a multimillion dollar commercial dispute
• Represented financial institution in the Enron securities litigation
• Represented defense contractor in federal investigation into potential violations of the False Claims Act
• Represented top manufacturer of construction equipment in a multimillion dollar dispute with first-tier supplier
• Served as trial counsel for large health care provider in a federal trial involving alleged breach of commercial contract; the trial resulted in the defeat of a $26 million claim against the client and findings of liability against the opposing party
• Served as Discovery Counsel for Fortune 100 company coordinating responses to multiple regulatory investigations and shareholder lawsuits
• Represented the estate of a majority stockholder in closely held corporation in a dispute with minority stockholder regarding control of the corporation
• Represented closely held corporation in dispute with minority shareholder regarding valuation of stock
• Represented real estate developer in lawsuit against U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Advise Defense contractors on Facility Security Clearances and related issues

News

• False Claims Act – 2012 Year in Review
  25 years and $35 billion later, the government targets the health care, defense and financial services industries
  February 6, 2013
• DOJ & SEC Issue Long-Awaited FCPA Guidance
  Anti-Corruption Alert
  February 1, 2013
• 74 Parker Poe Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers® for 2013
  August 23, 2012
• Wal-Mart Reports Highlight Dangers of Payments to Foreign Officials
  Anti-Corruption Alert
  May 23, 2012
• Payments Extorted by Foreign Officials
  Anti-Corruption Alert
  December 12, 2011
• UK Bribery Act Could Have Major Impact on Domestic Companies' Business Overseas
  Anti-Corruption Alert
  September 6, 2011
• 69 Parker Poe Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers® for 2012
  September 6, 2011
• Department of Justice Announces "New Era" of FCPA Enforcement in 2010, Increases Actions by Record 85%
  FCPA Alert
  February 9, 2011
• Business North Carolina Names 13 Attorneys to 2011 Legal Elite
  Firm Partner Catharine Biggs Arrowood “Top Vote-Getter” for Antitrust
  January 21, 2011
• Parker Poe Adds Three Attorneys to Internal Investigations Group
  Partner, Special Counsel and Associate Join the Firm
  October 8, 2010
• Pharmaceutical Industry Targeted for Overseas Violations of Anti-Bribery Law
  FCPA Alert
  September 28, 2010

Events & Speaking Engagements

• Doing Business in a Global Economy: Navigating U.S. Export and Anti-Corruption Laws
  February 2013
  Presenter, French American Chamber of Commerce and German American Chamber of Commerce
• Doing Business Under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  June 28, 2011
  
• When the Government Comes Knocking on Your Door: Responding to Government Investigations
  March 2011
  Presenter, Association of Corporate Counsel - Charlotte Chapter
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Seminar: Know Your Risks and Limit Your Exposure
  December 2010
  Durham and Charlotte, NC
• Navigating the Minefield: Doing Business under the FCPA and Export Control Laws
  November 18, 2010
  Presenter, Parker Poe Fall 2010 Public Company Forum