Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto, LLP’s Post

The proposed California bill on AI regulation includes whistleblower protections for AI employees who raise concerns about risks of critical harm found in the models their companies are building and deploying. KKC's Sophie Luskin outlines these whistleblower provisions in a new article.

KKC's Benjamin Calitri was featured as a panelist during the 2024 Workplace Promise Institute Conference where he spoke about the importance of monetary awards in changing the calculus around whistleblowing. Calitri explained that “we need to turn the equation on its head and make whistleblowing a rational economic activity – instead of something done by the rare few heroes. […] Reward programs increase the benefit and decrease the risk of blowing the whistle.”

In 2021, Congress passed an emergency measure to save the CFTC Whistleblower Program from financial collapse. This measure is set to expire at the end of September, threatening to shut down a program which plays a critical role in policing corruption and fraud.

The CFTC Whistleblower Program, responsible for recouping over $3.2 billion dollars thus far, is in imminent danger of shutting its doors due to a lack of funds! If Congress does not immediately extend funding for the CFTC Whistleblower Office, this invaluable whistleblower program will collapse in the coming months. We urge you to join us in taking action by contacting your representatives today, calling them to pass emergency legislation to extend the separate fund for the CFTC Whistleblower Office. Take action here: https://ow.ly/aS7b50Tmh0k

KKC founding partner Stephen M. Kohn is in Geneva, Switzerland to address the United Nations Human Rights Council and discuss the indispensable role that whistleblowers play in exposing corruption and human rights violations. On September 11, Kohn was featured as a keynote speaker in the Institute for Human Rights event “Justice and Reparation for Whistleblowers” and on September 12, he will speak in the plenary session “Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice and Reparation.” His remarks on September 12 will be livestreamed.

On September 9, the SEC charged seven companies with violating a whistleblower protection rule by, among other things, utilizing agreements which required employees to waive their rights to whistleblower awards. “Ensuring that potential whistleblowers can communicate directly with the Commission is a critical part of the SEC’s oversight mandate,” said Creola Kelly, Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower.

On Thursday, September 12th at 10:30 AM CEST, Stephen Kohn is set to address the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in the plenary session "Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, and Reparation." We invite you to watch the livestream of this session here: https://ow.ly/zkeg50TkBno

KKC Partner Stephen Kohn and Senior Public Interest Law Clerk Melissa Revuelta have landed in Geneva, Switzerland for the 57th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council! On the docket for this triannual meeting is a wide array of pressing human rights issues and KKC is making a showing for whistleblowers! On Wednesday, September 11th, Kohn will be speaking about whistleblower best practices in the Institute for Human Rights’ event “Justice and Reparation for Whistleblowers.” This event will highlight not only the essential role that whistleblowers play in the fight for human rights, but the pressing need for greater whistleblower protections and rewards. The side event will take place from 5PM – 7PM in room XXV in the UN Office.

KKC's new Senior Special Counsel Andrew Feller spoke with Law360 about his decision to join the firm and represent whistleblowers. "All of [my past work experience] helps me as I go into this field, because it gives me the ability to see some of these matters from a variety of perspectives and understand how each of the participants may view the matter and what would be most helpful to my clients in trying to advance their interests as whistleblowers," he said.