Diana R. Shaw

Diana joined Wiley after a distinguished career in government, most recently serving as the Acting Inspector General of the U.S. Department of State. With deep expertise in investigations, good governance, risk management, and compliance, she brings unparalleled insight to clients navigating complex challenges involving legal, political, and reputational risks.

During her time at the Department of State, Diana led the Office of Inspector General’s criminal and civil investigative programs, overseeing high-profile domestic and cross-border investigations into allegations of bid-rigging, bribery, kickbacks, and fraud involving large U.S. and multi-national corporations. She also investigated some of the most senior officials in government for ethics violations and other serious misconduct. She also has extensive experience auditing government programs and contracts to identify and remediate potential fraud, waste, and abuse.

Diana’s investigative expertise also extends to congressional investigations. She has engaged in every stage of the process—from responding to targeted information requests triggering little public attention to participating in some of the most high-profile and contentious investigations and oversight hearings posing significant legal, political, and reputational risks.

A strong advocate for robust compliance programs, Diana understands the critical role they play in mitigating risk. She is highly knowledgeable about international governance standards and key compliance areas, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, U.K. Bribery Act, and anti-money laundering and securities laws. She conducts risk and compliance program assessments, helping clients across industries develop and/or enhance their compliance frameworks.

Drawing on her experience conducting risk and compliance program assessments, Diana advises clients on matters involving institutional culture and social responsibility and helps clients develop tailored ESG strategies, policies, and guidelines. Her portfolio covers a wide range of issues, including supply chain diligence, sustainability, social impact, and human rights. She has developed and led programs to improve organizational culture, workplace inclusion, and employee engagement, while also advising clients navigating the shifting DEI policy and legal landscape as they look to balance business objectives, values, and risk appetite. Diana also has significant experience conducting and resolving sensitive workplace investigations involving allegations of employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and/or retaliation.

Representative Matters

Litigation and Investigations:

• Investigated numerous large companies for alleged fraud, bid-rigging, and other wrongdoing related to corporate use of federal aid and/or participation in government programs.

• Spearheaded the effort to provide whole-of-government oversight of the $113 billion U.S. government response to the situation in Ukraine.
• Testified at multiple congressional oversight hearings on issues and investigations relating to government programs.

• Managed public relations challenges associated with congressional inquiries/investigations; advised Presidentially appointed nominees through the Senate confirmation process.
• Designed and executed a time-sensitive investigation of a prominent university’s handling of allegations of sexual assault that were first reported, and later retracted, by a U.S. media outlet.
• Led sensitive investigation of alleged ethics violations involving university general counsel. 
• Helped obtain a $110 million settlement for a corporate client in a suit against former investors.
• Helped negotiate settlement of a government enforcement action for one-fifth the proposed fine amount (related to allegations of price-fixing by a non-U.S. airline).

Compliance:

• Advised defense company through State Department compliance inquiry for alleged ITAR violations.
• Set up a compliance program (from the ground up) for a foreign company following its acquisition by a large U.S. financial services firm.
• Regularly assisted clients with enhancing compliance programs, including developing and strengthening standards of conduct, anti-bribery and corruption policies and procedures, and third-party due diligence policies and procedures.
• Created and customized trainings for clients on industry-specific regulations and related compliance risks.

Advising and Counseling:

• Designed OIG engagement strategy for telecommunications company involved in multiple OIG audits.
• Advised large federal assistance award recipient on compliance with Trump Administration executive orders related to DEI, including potential False Claims Act exposure.    
• Advised on all forms of congressional engagement, including how to engage with committee staff, responding to written inquiries, preparing to testify in a congressional hearing or sit for a congressional interview, and conducting outreach/engagement with individual Senators and Representatives.
• Assessed compliance with cybersecurity laws, regulations, and implementing policies; conducted cybersecurity risk assessments, including identifying system vulnerabilities; implemented cybersecurity safeguards and improved overall system efficiencies; investigated and remediated cybersecurity breaches.
• Advised on privacy matters, including matters involving U.S. or European Union privacy laws; assessed compliance with applicable privacy and data protection policies, laws, and regulations; implemented systemic privacy safeguards and internal controls; investigated and remediated privacy breaches.
• Assessed compliance with immigration policy, laws, and regulations; advised on asylum law and civil rights and civil liberties issues; evaluated the extent to which current and/or proposed immigration policies advanced policy goals and objectives.

Professional Experience

• Acting Inspector General/Deputy Inspector General, Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of State (2020-2024)
• Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Head of Special Reviews and Evaluations (2019-2020)
  • Acting General Counsel / Head of Legal Affairs (2018-2019)
  • Acting Head of Congressional Affairs (February-May 2017)
• White Collar Defense Associate & Counsel, Am Law 100 Corporate Law Firm (2007-2016)

Recognitions

• During her tenure as the Acting Inspector General for the State Department (2020-2024), Diana’s office was recognized more than 20 times by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) for excellence in auditing, investigation, and inspecting.
• Received the 2019 CIGIE Excellence Award for overseeing the special review of family separation issues under the Trump Administration’s Zero Tolerance Policy.
• Received the 2017 Inspector General Award for preparing the DHS Inspector General to testify at six congressional hearings within a six-week period.