In its continuing efforts to strengthen and promote the spread of international whistleblower programs, the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) recently participated in the 22nd Annual International Bar Association Anti-Corruption Conference (IBA) on June 17–18 in London.
This two-day event was packed with education and knowledge sharing provided by top anti-corruption legal minds from around the world. Connecting with global counterparts was also a top priority, as NWC delegates met with anti-corruption lawyers to share best practices on representing international whistleblowers under statutes such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML).
In this Sunday Read, we reflect on the takeaways and impact of the NWC’s presence at the Conference as well as its post-conference event, jointly hosted by WhistleblowersUK, “Managing Risks and Rewards: How Incentives Can Change the Whistleblower Landscape,” which was held June 18 at the UK Parliament.
Takeaways From IBA 2026
NWC Program Manager Jeana Lee and Kohn, Kohn, and Colapinto Associate Benjamin Calitri, represented NWC during the Conference, where this year’s theme was “The Role of the Global Financial System in the Fight Against Corruption.” The IBA Conference served as a forum for meaningful discussions on anti-corruption matters, including the recalibration of anti-corruption strategies in the wake of US enforcement priorities and shifting resources.
Lee and Calitri attended sessions, forged new connections, and offered guidance to attendees seeking greater insight into whistleblower laws such as the FCPA and AML.
From the evolving methods of detecting and preventing fraud and abuse to the need and benefits of transparency, advocates had a wide range of topics to address within 48 hours.
“The conference largely centered on changing U.S. priorities on FCPA enforcement and how it is affecting anti-corruption enforcement and the practices of law firms across the world,” Lee said. She added that many attendees were white-collar corporate defense lawyers, several of whom expressed interest in collaborating and learning what it entails to represent whistleblowers.
Lee also noted how NWC’s presence helped address the perception surrounding U.S. anti-corruption enforcement.
“There was much discussion about the U.S.’s historic role in acting as the policeman of the world and prosecuting companies of fraud and bribery, but there weren’t as many discussions of how whistleblowers play a crucial role in initiating these cases,” she said. “This is the gap that we were able to bridge with our presence at the conference.”
Cohesion with international lawyers is crucial to the global landscape, she also noted, because it allows for the spread of knowledge on how they can represent whistleblowers through transnational whistleblower reward programs.
Post-Conference Deep Dive: ‘Managing Risks and Rewards’ for Whistleblowers
The education continued even after the IBA Conference concluded. On June 18, NWC and WhistleblowersUK hosted a special evening event at the UK Parliament in the Palace of Westminster, “Managing Risks and Rewards: How Incentives Can Change the Whistleblower Landscape.”
As an unofficial follow-up to the February 2026 NWC webinar, “Understanding the UK’s Strengthened Whistleblower Reward Program,” the discussion spotlighted emerging models such as His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Strengthened Reward Scheme and highlighted what its momentum means for the future of global enforcement.
The panel featured:
· House of Lords Member Baroness Susan Kramer
· Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto Associate Benjamin Calitri
· WhistleblowersUK Chief Executive Georgina Halford-Hall
· HMRC Operational Lead Anthony Rogers
· HMRC Risk & Intelligence Service Senior Case Consultant Gary Forbes
The participation of speakers from the legal, nonprofit, and government sectors created an ideal forum for attendees to engage in more substantive discussions.
“NWC continued to share the effectiveness of transnational whistleblower rewards programs and how whistleblowers from all around the world are coming to the U.S. for representation due to its success,” KKC attorney Ben Calitri said. “We applaud the UK for taking steps towards incentivizing whistleblowers through its HMRC tax rewards program.”
Looking to IBA in 2027 and Upcoming NWC Events
The IBA Conference was the ideal way to mark the mid-point of a critical year for advocating for transnational whistleblower laws. The dialogue around whistleblower rights and protections reinforced NWC’s standing as a leading advocate for whistleblower rewards.
“Building connections with international lawyers is crucial because it allows for personalized education on how they can represent whistleblowers through transnational whistleblower laws,” Lee said. Such relationships can also lead to collaboration between U.S. and international firms, helping foreign practitioners better understand how to approach these claims.
While convincing foreign governments and institutions to tackle corruption is challenging, the initiation of successful FCPA and AML cases that deter crime and reap recoveries can show governments and citizens that they can benefit from creating their own FCPA programs that emphasize the mobilization of whistleblowers. This is a cause NWC champions year-round and will continue leading in upcoming events like National Whistleblower Day on July 30th on Capitol Hill and future conferences in the U.S. and abroad.
