Ms. Newstead is a member of Davis Polk & Wardwell’s Litigation Department. She represents clients in a wide variety of complex civil litigation and regulatory enforcement matters, and in the conduct of special internal investigations.

Recent representations have included Special Committees of the Boards of Directors of several public companies in connection with internal investigations involving SEC disclosures and other matters; Wall Street investment banks in connection with class action securities litigation and commercial disputes; and a leading audit firm in connection with fraud and securities claims. Ms. Newstead also regularly conducts internal investigations and advises clients with respect to compliance matters. Recent examples include representing an international consumer products company in various internal investigations and reviews of compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-money laundering statutes; and representing a major commercial and investment bank in connection with an internal review of control processes and procedures.

Ms. Newstead joined Davis Polk in 1997 and became a partner in 2006. From 2001 to 2005, she left the firm to serve in various positions in the Executive Branch, including as General Counsel of the Office of Management and Budget; Associate White House Counsel; and Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice. She was an adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center in 2002.

Ms. Newstead graduated, magna cum laude, from Harvard University in 1991 and in 1994 received her J.D. from Yale Law School, where she was managing editor of the Yale Law Journal. She clerked for the Honorable Laurence H. Silberman, U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit from 1994 to 1995. She clerked for the Honorable Stephen G. Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1995 to 1996. She is admitted to the bars of New York and the U.S. Supreme Court.