Kathleen Reilly | People | Arnold & Porter

Kathleen (Kate) Reilly is a partner in the firm’s Securities Enforcement & Litigation practice. Kate represents financial services companies, audit and accounting firms, special committees, and public issuer and private companies in securities enforcement, commercial litigation, whistleblower, white collar, and government investigation matters. Kate has significant experience handling actions in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations. She also routinely conducts internal investigations and defends clients in enforcement matters by the SEC, DOJ, PCAOB, State Attorneys General, and CFTC.

A staunch advocate of pro bono work, Kate is a member of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee and routinely takes on matters involving criminal defendants and educational rights. She also serves on the firm’s Management Committee as well as the National Hiring Committee.

Kate obtained her J.D. at the Villanova University School of Law, from which she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to the Order of the Coif. During law school, she served as an Associate Editor of the Villanova Law Review. Kate earned her B.A. in history and political science from Boston College, graduating cum laude.

Focus Areas

Experience

Prominent retail company in a complex covert internal investigation into allegations of impropriety within the company's information technology group.
Financial services and commercial entities in assisting and conducting internal investigations into alleged impropriety.
Fortune 100 company in an investigation and prosecution arising out of a theft of the company's trade secrets, as well as assisting in working with the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in connection with their investigation of the individual responsible for the theft.
Special litigation committee of a large public issuer in conducting an internal investigation into money transfer practices involving significant criminal and civil litigation exposure.

New York Community Bancorp in a victory in a Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges administrative proceeding involving Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower claims that was upheld by the Administrative Review Board and Second Circuit.
JPMorgan Chase at trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in a Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower case.
Dunkin’ Brands in litigation and settlement of a New York Attorney General’s lawsuit alleging the failure to protect consumer data security and privacy.
Private companies in litigated actions in New York State Court (Commercial Division).
Major national accounting firm in its defense of accountant and auditor malpractice actions brought in various state courts.

Major financial institution in its defense before an AAA panel arising from dispute with a private equity firm regarding the sale of certain private equity investments, which resulted in a judgment entirely for the defense.

National accounting firms in SEC and PCAOB investigations, including investigations involving auditor independence and 102(e) or other theories of professional liability.
National accounting firms and associated individuals in SEC investigations regarding valuation disputes, including in connection with Level 3 (hard-to-value) assets.
Individual fund investment professional against allegations of securities fraud in a DOJ criminal proceeding; SEC and CFTC regulatory enforcement actions; and multiple civil litigations.
National accounting firm in its defense during a joint investigation brought by DOJ and New York Attorney General in connection with an investigation targeting a not-for-profit healthcare organization.
Large consumer bank in connection with a whistleblower investigation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency into residential mortgage loan servicing, modification and foreclosure practices and HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) compliance.

Perspectives

March 18, 2025

SEC Revokes Delegated Authority for Formal Orders and Subpoenas

Enforcement Edge: Shining Light on Government Enforcement

March 5, 2025

Post-Election Landscape for the Banking Industry

Arnold & Porter In-Person Presentation

January 29, 2025

What the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Device Industries Should Expect In 2025

Arnold & Porter Presentation

July 2, 2024

In “Seismic Shift,” Supreme Court Strips SEC of Ability To Seek Civil Penalties for Securities Fraud in Administrative Proceedings

Advisory

June 6, 2024

Key Takeaways From 2024 Accountants' Liability Conference

Law360

More

Recognition

The Legal 500 US

"Next Generation Partner" Dispute Resolution: Financial Services: Litigation (2021-2024)
Financial Services Litigation (2022)
"Rising Star" Financial Services: Litigation (2020)

Credentials

Education

J.D., Villanova University School of Law, 2009, magna cum laude, Order of the Coif
B.A., Boston College, 2006, cum laude

Admissions

New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York