Sybil E. Sam
Accra
Summary
Lawyer and consultant with significant experience in internal investigations, regulatory compliance, and organizational risk management across the U.S., Asia, and Africa. Skilled at assessing regulatory frameworks, reviewing business practices, and advising on structures that balance compliance, performance, and sustainability. Experienced in leading cross-border teams, aligning institutional policies with local realities, and guiding executives on governance and leadership matters.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Designer & Co-Lead
Blackland Innovations
05.2024 - Current
- Conduct regulatory assessments in Ghana, translating global standards into practical guidance for corporate operations and subsidiaries.
- Review contracts and perform risk analyses to ensure both compliance and alignment with the wider business strategy.
- Support leadership discussions on organizational structure, key processes, and talent deployment, linking regulatory insight to performance, and governance considerations.
Pupil
Bentsi Enchill Letsa & Ankomah
11.2023 - 05.2024
- Interpreted Ghana’s banking and financial laws to provide actionable advice for corporate clients navigating regulatory obligations.
- Conducted research and prepared written submissions for disputes spanning commercial, property, and employment law.
White Collar Litigation Associate
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
09.2016 - 12.2021
- Investigated allegations of bribery and financial misconduct across multiple jurisdictions, conducting interviews, reviews, and forensic audits.
- Advised multinational executives on interactions with regulators, ensuring preparedness for inquiries and negotiations.
- Developed anti-bribery, compliance, and escalation policies for private equity and corporate clients expanding internationally.
- Drafted reports and advocacy materials for inquiries by the Hong Kong SFC and U.S. regulators, balancing factual clarity with strategic positioning.
- Produced monthly enforcement updates for banking and finance clients, informing governance and compliance strategies.
Education
Qualifying Certificate -
Ghana School of Law
Accra, Ghana10.2023
Juris Doctor -
Harvard Law School
Cambridge, Massachusetts05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Distinction
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut05.2013
Skills
- Regulatory compliance
- Institutional policy
- Investigations
- Conflicts of interest
- Financial misconduct
- Cross-border team leadership
- Stakeholder engagement
- Decision support
- Strategic structuring
- Organizational alignment
Certification
- JD, New York, 01/01/17
- Solicitor’s Licence, Ghana, 01/01/23
Awards
- Alexander P. Hixon Scholar, 2009
- African American High Academic Achievement Award (2010, 2011, 2012)
Professional Highlights
- Guided corporate clients on compliance and governance structures to support long-term growth and institutional resilience.
- Led internal investigations into financial misconduct across Asia and the U.S., synthesizing findings into recommendations that informed leadership and operational decisions.
- Drafted advocacy materials for SEC/DOJ resolutions, integrating compliance remediation plans that significantly reduced client exposure.
- Advised private equity firms entering emerging markets on anti-corruption and compliance frameworks, with attention to local regulatory and organizational dynamics.
Timeline
Business Designer & Co-Lead
Blackland Innovations
05.2024 - Current
Pupil
Bentsi Enchill Letsa & Ankomah
11.2023 - 05.2024
White Collar Litigation Associate
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
09.2016 - 12.2021
Qualifying Certificate -
Ghana School of Law
Juris Doctor -
Harvard Law School
Bachelor of Arts - Distinction
Yale University