The Rise of Whistleblower Rewards Programs: Assessing the Individual and Corporate Liability Risks

Richard Cooper
Vice President, Regulatory
FanDuel

Marc Hennes
Head of Legal Investigations
Novartis

Tim Loper
VP, US and Above Market Compliance & Ethics
Bristol Myers Squibb

James Koukios
Partner
Morrison Foerster LLP
The rise of whistleblower rewards programs has transformed corporate accountability by incentivizing insiders to report misconduct, often leading to significant enforcement actions. This trend introduces heightened liability risks for both individuals and corporations as regulators increasingly act on whistleblower tips with aggressive investigations and penalties. During this panel, we will explore:
- The landscape of whistleblower rewards programs in securities, tax, and healthcare sectors
- Recent revisions to DOJ’s Corporate Whistleblower Award Pilot Program announced in May 2025
- How are regulators seeking to hold responsible parties accountable?
- Strengthening internal compliance systems to detect and address issues before whistleblowers do
- Addressing the potential for large financial rewards to create a competitive environment that pressures organizations to act swiftly and transparently