Brian C. Earl

BRIAN EARL focuses his practice on white collar defense and investigations and commercial litigation and disputes.

Brian's white collar practice encompasses white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and proceedings before the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. He has significant experience conducting internal investigations on a wide range of issues around the globe, including in North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Brian also advises companies and financial institutions on the design and implementation of anti-corruption and anti-money laundering compliance programs, including programs addressing obligations under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the Bank Secrecy Act, and the USA PATRIOT Act.

In his commercial litigation practice, Brian represents clients across a variety of industries in high-stakes commercial litigation and disputes in federal and state courts, as well as in arbitration. He has advised clients on matters involving real estate investments, contract disputes, energy financing, and business torts. Brian represents clients at all stages of litigation and has substantial experience working on interdisciplinary, cross-office, and multi-firm trial and arbitration teams.

Brian was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America® (2026) for Commercial Litigation.

Brian received his law degree from Fordham University School of Law’s Evening Division, magna cum laude, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review and a legal writing teaching assistant.

Prior to joining Sidley, Brian worked as a paralegal at a national law firm, focusing on First Amendment and media-related issues.

Brian has assisted in the representation of:

Recent White Collar Defense and Investigations Representations

• A special committee of the Board of Directors of a leading international telecommunications company in a voluntary self-report to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) involving potential corruption, resulting in a complete closure of the investigation with no charges, penalties, or other resolution, followed by a comprehensive assessment and enhancement of the company’s corporate compliance program with in-country assessments of subsidiaries and affiliates around the globe.
• The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of a U.S. publicly traded movie studio in a sensitive cross-border revenue recognition investigation related to accounting practices, and in connection with a voluntary self-disclosure to the SEC.
• A global publicly traded healthcare consulting company in an internal investigation relating to accounting practices in the Middle East.
• Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a global insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting services firm, on comprehensive anti-money laundering and anti-corruption due diligence related to its acquisition of the treaty reinsurance brokerage operations of Willis Towers Watson plc for US$3.25 billion.

Recent Commercial Litigation and Disputes Representations

• A New York based opportunistic investment fund and affiliates in litigation involving alleged misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference with contract relating to large-scale energy development project.
• A large hedge fund in litigation in which plaintiff sought more than US$350 million in connection with alleged tortious interference with the plaintiff’s agreement with a government agency concerning mortgage servicing business.