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M
URIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
November 5, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section
2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1- 523.01), and pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 16 -1053, I am pleased to
nominate the following individual:
Ms. Ashley Joyner Chavous
Drake Place, SE
Washington, DC 20019
(Ward 7)
for reappointment as a community representative member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review
Board, for a term to end July 20, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
-ON-
~ Phil Mendelson
at the request of the Mayor
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the reappointment of Ashley Joyner Chavous to the Domestic Violence Fatality
Review Board.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the "Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board Ashley Joyner
Chavous Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Ashley Joyner Chavous
Drake Place, SE
Washington, DC 20019
(Ward 7)
as a community representative member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board,
established by D.C. Official Code§ 16-1052, for a term to end July 20, 2028.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee, and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
COVINGTON
AshleyJoynerChavous‘OfCounsel ’
—
eee tr
About
AshleyJoynerChavousisatrustedadvisortoseniorleadership,publiccompanies,andfinancial
institutionsnavigatinghigh-stakesinvestigations,enforcementrisk,andinstitutionalculture
challenges.
Ashley’multifacetedpracticespans:
=CongressionalInvestigationsand RiskAssessments— Leadingstrategicresponsesto congressionalsubpoenas,hearingdemands,and
‘oversightinquiries,aswellasproactiveassessmentsofcongressionalandregulatoryexposureacrossbusinessunitsandjurisdictions
=Compliance,CultureandGovemanceReviews—Designingandmanagingenterprise-widerevewsofcompliancesystems,ethicsprograms,andorganizationalcuituretoidentifyrisktrends,strengthengoveriance,andaddressissuesofworkplaceequityand‘nondiscrimination,diversityandinclusion,andinstitutionalaccountability.
=EnforcementDefenseandintemalInestigations—Conductingsensitive,cross-borderimestigationsanddefendingclientsinDOJ,SEC,‘andmutiagencyenforcementmatters.
«=LitigationandTrialStrategy—Bringingissuesintotigation,preparingclientsfortialandappeliatephases,andmanagingtestimony,expertengagement,andoralargument.
‘AsamemberofCovington'sWhiteCollarDefenseandInvestigationsPracticeGroup,Ashleyfrequentlyadsesclientsinconnectionwith‘congressionallettersandsubpoenas,offerstalloredriskmitigationstrategies,andpreparesseniorexecutivesforintervews,depositions,andheatingappearances.inherrolewithCovingtonInstitutionalCultureandSocialResponsibilityPracticeGroup,sheleadshigh-stakesreviewsofsystemicpracticesandinstitutionalchange.Shefrequentlyspeaksongovemmentinvestigations,compliance,andgoverance,‘andhasreceivednationalrecognitionforherworkintheseareas.
Beforeenteringprivatepractice,Ashleycoveredcrimeandthecourtsasajoumalist,experiencethatinformsherworkattheintersectionoflaw,policy,andpublicperception.
Areas of Expertise
*Litigationandinvestigations
=WhiteCollarDefenseandInvestigations
=Congressionalinestigations,
*InstitutionalCuitureandSocialResponsibility
Representative Matters
Ashley’s work includes leading congressional investigations and other complex regulatory and enforcement matters, overseeing enterprise-
wide compliance and culture reviews, and advising clients on governance and organizational risk.
Congressional Investigations and Risk Assessments
Compliance, Culture, and Governance Reviews
Enforcement Defense, Internal Investigations, and Recent Government Resolutions
Anti-Corruption/FCPA
Government Contracts
Regulatory and Public Policy
Election and Political Law
Lead counsel to a nonprofit research organization in a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation inquiry concerning
artificial intelligence policy and implementation.
Advising a global technology company in a congressional risk assessment focused on export controls, cybersecurity, supply chain
compliance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Representing a national nonprofit organization in a House Homeland Security Committee investigation concerning federal grant funding.
Advising Fortune 100 clients in the technology, defense, and financial services sectors on congressional investigation risk and oversight
preparedness strategies.
Represented a publicly traded semiconductor manufacturer in a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations inquiry into
semiconductor supply chains and export control compliance, including preparing an executive for hearing testimony.
Represented a leading investment firm in a House Judiciary Committee investigation examining ESG-related investment practices and
antitrust considerations; handled related state inquiries.
Represented a financial institution in a House Judiciary Committee investigation concerning government surveillance and data-privacy
issues following the January 6 United States Capitol attack.
Represented a leading social media platform in inquiry related to content reporting mechanisms and age assurance practices.
Represented a major consulting firm in House Committee on Oversight and Accountability investigation of services provided to the Food
and Drug Administration.
Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment for a global cloud services provider, evaluating governance and compliance structures
within its global channel-partner ecosystem.
Led a civil rights assessment for a leading global technology company, evaluating workplace policies, internal reporting structures, and
corporate culture.
Led a racial equity assessment for a major energy company, reviewing workforce, supplier diversity, and community engagement
programs.
Advised a global hospitality platform on strengthening its nondiscrimination policies, internal training, and compliance monitoring.
Advising an investment advisory firm on cybersecurity and consumer protection issues arising from digital fraud schemes, including the
development of remedial protocols and engagement with law enforcement.
Advised a multinational company on enhancing compliance infrastructure and monitoring controls across business units.
Advised a professional sports league on anti-corruption policies and procedures.
Litigation and Trial Strategy
Credentials
Education
Bar Admissions
Pro Bono
2023 – DOJ Declination: Secured a declination for a global manufacturing company in a fraud investigation.
2020 – SEC Resolution: Obtained a favorable resolution for a Fortune 50 consumer-products and medical-devices company in an
investigation involving accounting, financial-disclosure, and insider-trading allegations.
2020 – DOJ Declination/SEC Resolution: Represented Alexion Pharmaceuticals in obtaining a DOJ declination and favorable SEC
settlement in a multi-country FCPA investigation.
2020 – DOJ Declination: Secured a declination for a major pharmaceutical company following an investigation concerning alleged False
Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute violations.
2019 – DOJ Declination: Achieved a declination for a major financial institution in a multi-agency investigation into foreign-bribery hiring
practices.
Represents the NAACP and a state affiliate chapter in ongoing civil rights litigation challenging the use of Confederate school names and
symbols on constitutional grounds.
Represents a class of plaintiffs in Cleveland, Ohio, in litigation challenging municipal water lien and debt collection practices on
constitutional and consumer protection grounds.
Represented nonprofit organization in internal governance investigation involving leadership conduct and accountability.
Defended a major defense contractor in a multimillion-dollar personal injury action arising from work performed during Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Howard University School of Law, J.D., 2012
New York University, M.A., 2006
Syracuse University, B.A., 2004
District of Columbia
Virginia
Lead counsel to NAACP in lawsuits challenging use of Confederate names and mascots at public
schools in Virginia.
Representing Cleveland (OH) residents in class action litigation challenging discriminatory water
billing policies and practices in the city.
Lead counsel to DC non-profit organization in an investigation by the Office of Attorney General for the
District of Columbia related to payments to an executive.
Represented victims of domestic violence in their efforts to obtain a Civil Protection Order in DC.
Successfully represented five Black teenagers related to racial discrimination claims in Virginia.
Represented DC-area low-income residents in housing condition and landlord-tenant disputes.
Accolades
Memberships
and Affiliations
Previous
Experience
Best Lawyers, “Women in the Law: Ones to Watch” (2021-2022)
Best Lawyers, “White Collar: Ones to Watch” (2021-2024)
Super Lawyers, Washington, DC, "Rising Star" in Criminal Defense/White Collar (2017-2021)
Capital Pro Bono High Honor Roll (2013-2014, 2016-2024)
Lawyers of Color, “Hot List” Honoree (2014)
Mayoral Appointee, Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, District of Columbia (Immediate Past
Co-Chair)
Member, Legal Aid DC Board of Trustees
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Law Clerk (2010)
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Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
Ashley Joyner Chavous
Ashley Joyner Chavous currently serves as Of Counsel at Covington &
Burling LLP . Ms. Chavous represents financial institutions, public
companies, and senior executives in investigations and enforcement
actions brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, and other U.S. regulators. She has conducted
internal investigations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and South
America. She has represented companies and individuals in a variety of
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement matters and regularly
counsels clients facing allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.
With extensive experience handling diverse compliance and governance
issues, Ms. Chavous assists clients across a wide range of industries with
anti-corruption due diligence and developing and implementing anti -corruption compliance
programs. She has experience representing clients at all stages of litigation, from case inception
through trial and appeal. She has argued motions before state and federal courts and examined fact
and expert witnesses at trial. As a member of Covington’s Institutional C ulture and Social
Responsibility practice, Ms. Chavous also routinely handles highly sensitive reviews and
investigations related to workplace misconduct and institutional culture.
Ms. Chavous also maintains an active pro bono practice specifically concerning special education
advocacy and child custody/neglect litigation. With the DC Lawyers Project, she advocates for
better policies and legislation, and increased funding for domestic violence victims and at -risk
children. Ms. Chavous also represents victims in obtaining protective orders and provides legal
advice, housing assistance, and counseling at weekly resource clinics.
A Ward 7 resident, Ms. Chavous earned her Bachelor of Arts in English & Textual Studies from
Syracuse University, her Master of Arts in Journalism from New York University, and her Juris
Doctor from Howard University.
GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor
______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681
To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: October 28, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Ashley Joyner Chavous as a
member of the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution and
found it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not
hesitate to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at
202-727-0872, or me at 202-724-7681.
______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish