Barnes & Thornburg Partners Named Finalists for Two Global Investigations Review Awards

Two Barnes & Thornburg partners have been shortlisted for awards by Global Investigations Review (GIR). The nominees “reflect excellent lawyering in many forms, from dogged trial work to ironclad negotiation, crafty litigation and the willingness to pursue novel cases,” according to GIR.

Partner Scott Hulsey has been nominated for “Most Important Development of the Year” based on his and the firm’s representation of former Philippines Elections Commission Chairman Juan Andres Doñato Bautista in a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecution of an alleged foreign bribery conspiracy involving voting technology company Smartmatic and three of its former executives to secure business in the Philippines.

Hulsey, who also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Latin America practice, is known for crafting tailored solutions for companies, executives and other high-powered individuals facing serious legal challenges, leveraging his experience as a former high-ranking DOJ official and corporate chief compliance officer. Hulsey has handled over 60 jury and bench trials, and his international experience — rooted in his time as the DOJ’s top representative in Sarajevo — enables him to deftly navigate cross-border legal matters.

Separately, partner David Last has been nominated for “Investigations Professional of the Year.” Last, who joined Barnes & Thornburg in July 2026, focuses his practice on government and internal investigations, including defending companies and individuals in a wide range of high-stakes domestic and international enforcement actions, with a particular focus on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters.

Prior to joining private practice, Last spent nearly 20 years as a federal prosecutor for the DOJ, including as the chief of DOJ’s FCPA Unit, where he led and oversaw some of the largest coordinated FCPA resolutions in history. In March 2026, Last assisted Balt SAS in obtaining the first declination under DOJ’s department-wide Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy (CEP), which was part of a coordinated resolution with the DOJ and France’s Parquet National Financier (PNF).

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 19. 

Barnes & Thornburg's White Collar, Compliance and Investigations practice is highly regarded for monitorships and internal investigations. The group includes five former U.S. attorneys and 19 former assistant U.S. attorneys.

View the full list of nominees here.