Director’s Column

The past six months have been another successful period growth and development for the Corporate Responsibility and Compliance (CRC) certificate program at Catholic Law. I was honored to accept the Dean’s appointment as CRC Director, succeeding the founding director Professor Sarah Duggin. We sponsored an enjoyable networking event for CRC alumni and interested students in October, and we worked with the Law & Technology Institute and the Bakhita Initiative to host a successful conference on the Corporate Social Responsibility of Big Tech in November. This spring we are excited to launch a new course on Business & Human Rights. You can read more about all these developments below. Interest in CRC continues to increase as more students have joined our program, with 15 students currently enrolled. 

Corporate Responsibility of Big Tech Conference

The Catholic University of American Columbus School of Law hosted a major conference on November 14 examining the Corporate Social Responsibility of Big Tech. Co-sponsored by the Corporate Responsibility and Compliance Program, the Law & Technology Institute, and the Bakhita Initiative, the event brought together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders for a full day of keynotes and panel discussion on technology’s societal impact. Taylor Black, Director of the Institute for AI & Emerging Technologies and a Microsoft executive, opened the conference with a keynote on the promise and risks of artificial intelligence, urging responsible innovation grounded in Catholic social teaching. Three panels followed: the first explored Big Tech’s role in facilitating exploitation; the second examined corporate ethics and accountability in the age of AI; and the third addressed sustainability, risk management, and the evolving expectations placed on technology companies. Midday remarks were delivered by South Carolina Representative Brandon Guffey, who shared his advocacy for online safety and mental health awareness inspired by his late son Gavin. Across sessions, participants engaged deeply with issues such as modern slavery, AI governance, data protection, and environmental stewardship. The conference highlighted Catholic Law’s leadership in shaping ethical, forward-looking dialogue at the intersection of law, technology, and social responsibility. Read more

News & Events

Networking and Information Session for Alumni and Students

Catholic Law’s Corporate Responsibility and Compliance (CRC) Program had a fun-filled evening on October 29 with a networking and information session that brought together an enthusiastic mix of students, alumni, and faculty. CRC Director John Polanin kicked things off with a warm welcome and highlights from the program’s annual report. He then introduced CRC Alumni Group leaders Lauren Sormani ‘21 and Patrick Burke ‘19 before welcoming keynote speaker Andrew McFarland ‘98, Senior Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties. McFarland put on an engaging presentation with his career story and a compelling look at how essential compliance is to his work at the DOJ. The event also spotlighted the growing impact of the CRC certificate program, which equips students with the practical skills and legal insight needed to champion transparency, accountability, and responsible business practices across all sectors in the U.S. Read more.

As part of the CRC curriculum, the following required courses are offered this term:

• Business Associations
• Conducting Internal Investigations
• Risk Management, Audit, and Financial Controls

In addition, several CRC‑approved electives are offered, including:

• Administrative Law
• Environmental Law
• International Corruption and Compliance
• Labor and Employment Law
• White Collar and Business Crimes

CRC Stipends for Summer Internships

•  As we did last summer, CRC will award two students with stipends of $5000 each for summer internships related to corporate responsibility or compliance. Applications are available from the Office of Career and Professional Development and are due by April 12, 2026. Please watch the OCPD newsletter for more details.

Calling All Alumni!

• Is your organization hiring? Are you aware of full-time or part-time job opportunities or internships that might be interesting for CRC graduates or students? Please remember to post on our CRC Alumni group on LinkedIn at Catholic Law CRC Alumni.
• If you would like to participate in one of our upcoming events for CRC alumni and students as a guest speaker or panelist or if your organization might be interested in hosting one of these events, please contact Professor Polanin.

Regulatory Developments & Recent Cases

Shift toward execution and demonstrable governance

• • Regulators are moving from high-level guidance to demanding proof of effective governance, especially around AI use, digital communications, and crypto-related operations. Firms are expected to show real-time controls, visibility, and accountability rather than relying on policy statements alone.
  • Robert Cruz and Tiffany Magri, 2026 Regulatory and Compliance Predictions: From Recalibration to Execution, SMARSH (Jan. 5, 2026), Read more.

State-level enforcement momentum

• • Following recent gubernatorial and attorney general elections, states are asserting a stronger role in areas traditionally dominated by federal regulators: consumer protection, data privacy, antitrust, anticorruption, and securities enforcement. Companies are being urged to reassess whether their compliance programs reflect this shifting landscape.
  • Andrea Griswold, William E. Ridgway, Taji A. Hutchins, Corporate Compliance Remains Critical as State Enforcement Initiatives Gain Momentum Following Governors’ Races, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates (Jan. 13, 2026), Read more.

SEC Recordkeeping Sweep - $63 Million in Penalties

• The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged twelve firms, including investment advisers and broker-dealers, for failing to maintain and preserve electronic communications. The firms admitted the violations and paid more than $63 million in combined penalties. One firm received reduced penalties for self-reporting, reinforcing the SEC’s emphasis on proactive compliance.
• Twelve Firms to Pay More Than $63 Million Combined to Settle SEC’s Charges for Recordkeeping Failures, U.S. SEC. AND EXCH. COMM’N (Jan. 13, 2025), Read more.

Faculty & Alumni Stars

Neil Schumacher: Building a Career on Integrity and Adaptability —Lecturer/Of Counsel, Paul Hastings LLP, Washington DC

“The fulfillment lies in solving complex problems and helping clients avoid regulatory pitfalls.” — Neil Schumacher

Early Foundations

Growing up in Omaha, Nebraska, Neil Schumacher always had an inkling that law school was in his future. After graduating from college, he pursued his J.D. at Boston College Law, where his interests in politics, business, and problem-solving began to converge. An internship with the Securities and Exchange Commission gave him his first taste of white-collar work, and a federal clerkship on the West Coast soon followed. That clerkship exposed him to a wide range of cases and solidified his passion for the law.

Shifting Toward Compliance

Although Schumacher initially thought litigation would be his path, his experiences gradually steered him to broaden his practice to include investigations and compliance. Early involvement in several high-profile matters revealed not only that he enjoyed the work, but that he excelled at it. Over time, this cumulative effect shaped his career trajectory. 

Practice in Motion 

Today, Schumacher’s practice is client-focused and often fast-moving. A typical day might involve advising general counsel and boards of directors on corruption issues in Eastern Europe–or it might require speaking with prosecutors about criminal and regulatory investigations of his corporate and individual clients. While investigations and compliance tend to follow a more predictable cycle than litigation, external factors can quickly shift the pace, requiring a 24/7, year-round response. 

Fulfillment in the Work

For Schumacher, the fulfillment lies in solving complex problems and helping clients avoid regulatory pitfalls. He values the challenge, the interface with regulators, and the opportunity to be part of critical decision-making processes. He notes that careers in enforcement and compliance can be rewarding across government, in-house, and private practice roles, offering exposure to the same issues outside counsel regularly confronts.

“Careers in enforcement and compliance can be rewarding across government, in- house, and private practice.” — Neil Schumacher

Anchored by Family

Outside of work, family is Schumacher’s anchor. Living in Bethesda with his wife and five children, he finds joy in watching his kids excel in music and sports. During the pandemic, he built a gym in his basement, and he continues to enjoy road cycling along the C&O Canal and the Capitol Crest Trail.

A Balanced Journey

Neil Schumacher's journey reflects a blend of innate curiosity, professional adaptability, and personal dedication, a career shaped by both opportunity and conviction, and a life balanced by family and passion.

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Tamara Droubi: A Nontraditional Path to Compliance and Corporate Responsibility — Associate, Government Investigations & White Collar Defense, Government Contracts and Complex Litigation, Vedder, Washington DC

“Success often comes from asking the right questions, which in turn lead to the right answers.” — Tamara Droubi

From Science to Law

Tamara Droubi's journey into the legal profession began in California, where she grew up and attended the University of California, San Diego. Initially drawn to genetics,she imagined a career in science before life took her in a different direction. After several years living in Japan, she returned to the United States and moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a paralegal. That experience, coupled with her appreciation for the practical value of a J.D., solidified her decision to pursue law school.

Law School as a Training Ground

For Droubi, law school was more than a credential, it was a training ground for skills that transcend the profession: analyzing issues, persuading others, and learning to be comfortable with discomfort. She discovered that success often comes from asking the right questions, which in turn lead to the right answers.

A Nonlinear Career Path

Her career path has been anything but linear, and that nontraditional trajectory has become one of her greatest strengths. A remedies class taught by a federal judge led to an internship and eventually an open offer to clerk. Yet, just before graduation, Droubi decided to return to California to be closer to family. Waiting for her California bar exam results, she worked as a contract attorney, assisting with regulatory matters and lawsuits, before landing at a boutique firm in Los Angeles. There, Droubi was immediately entrusted with significant responsibility, a trial by fire that exposed her to commercial litigation and taught her how to litigate in real time.

Returning to D.C.

After several years, Droubi returned to Washington, D.C., to clerk for the same judge, this time at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a court well known for government contracts. That experience shifted her focus toward compliance and government contracts, a field she continued to build upon at Vedder Price. Over the years, her role evolved from bid protest work to investigations, False Claims Act matters, corporate due diligence, fraud, and international trade. Each step added new tools to her belt, giving her a wide range of expertise and approaches to
complex compliance challenges.

Why Catholic Law

When asked why she chose Catholic Law, Droubi points to the supportive environment and small class sizes. Staying in D.C. allowed her to remain in a city she loved while benefiting from a close-knit academic community.

Thriving in Uncertainty

Her current work is dynamic – there is no “normal day.” Each matter presents new issues, requiring her to adapt quickly and embrace uncertainty. Droubi thrives on connecting the dots, whether in investigations, compliance, or litigation, and finds fulfillment in uncovering the story behind each case.

“There’s no such thing as a typical day. Each matter presents new challenges—and that’s what keeps me engaged.” — Tamara Droubi

Beyond the Office

Outside of the office, Droubi enjoys time with her dogs, international travel, and exploring new places. Gardening has become a passion, particularly planting species that attract pollinators, and she often spends weekends hiking. One destination still on her list: New Zealand.

A Testament to Resilience

Tamara Droubi’s story is a testament to the power of flexibility, resilience, and curiosity. By embracing a nontraditional path, she has built a career that not only reflects her diverse experiences but also positions her as a trusted advisor in the complex world of compliance and corporate responsibility.

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Megan Chester: Building a Career in Compliance Through Curiosity and Global Experience — Associate, Government Solutions, Foley & Lardner LLP, Washington DC

“Every opportunity you take is a learning experience.” — Megan Chester

Roots and Early Ambitions

Megan Chester grew up in Warwick, New York, always knowing she wanted to attend an undergraduate university that would give her the ability to travel and explore new experiences. Northeastern University, with its renowned co-op program, proved to be the perfect fit. Her first co-op took her to Geneva, Switzerland, where she had to learn French on the fly. That experience taught her professionalism in the workplace at a young age. Later, she worked in London, interning in the House of Lords as the only staffer for the lord she supported. Megan then joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s International Criminal Transfer Unit, where she gained firsthand insight into how the DOJ operates.

Discovering the Law

Megan’s work across diverse fields and countries always gave her an inkling that she would one day become a lawyer. A firm believer that every opportunity is a learning experience, she saw law as the natural culmination of her curiosity, adaptability, and drive to make an impact.

Path to Compliance and Corporate Responsibility

Her career in compliance began as a government contractor at the Department of Homeland Security’s Administrative Law Branch. She later served as Attorney Advisor at FEMA, advising the flood insurance program on regulation, policy, and appeals. At FEMA she also counseled contracting officers on procurement matters.

Today, Megan focuses on product safety compliance in the consumer product and automotive sectors, while also defending companies against investigations. She helps clients navigate the complex web of state and federal regulations, from consumer protection statutes wielded by state attorneys general to federal compliance requirements. Her work often involves advising on product development and guiding companies as they bring products to market.

“No two product recalls or compliance issues are the same. There’s no way to ever be bored.” — Megan Chester

Choosing Catholic Law

When it came time to pursue her J.D., Megan knew she wanted to be in Washington, D.C., with the goal of working for the government. A family friend spoke highly of Catholic Law, and the school’s strong sense of community sealed her decision.

A Day in the Life

For Megan, there is no “normal day.” Each matter presents new issues, and the shifting priorities of government agencies require constant adaptability. Statutes and regulations may take time to change, but enforcement priorities can shift quickly, making it essential to stay up to date with agency priorities and policies.

Why Compliance?

Megan thrives on the client-focused nature of compliance work. She values building strong relationships, learning the intricacies of each business, and being there when clients need her most. The variety of her practice keeps her engaged, every company approaches compliance differently, and every issue presents unique challenges.

“It’s important to be flexible and open to new opportunities—and to know when you’re in a place where you’re supported.” — Megan Chester

Life Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Megan finds joy in her relationships and passions. She lives with her husband and their giant dog, whom she loves taking on new adventures. A self-described foodie, she enjoys cooking French cuisine and traveling whenever possible. On her bucket list: a photo safari.

A Career of Curiosity and Resilience

Megan Chester’s story is one of curiosity, resilience, and adaptability. From Geneva to London, from FEMA to product safety compliance, she has built a career that reflects her diverse experiences and her commitment to guiding clients through the complexities of compliance and corporate responsibility.