Mary Inman is a partner at Whistleblower Partners LLP, a boutique law firm specializing exclusively in representing whistleblowers under the various U.S. whistleblower reward programs. We discuss high-stakes whistleblower cases, including her representation of Tyler Schulz at Theranos and Frances Haugen at Facebook (Meta). We delve into the significance of the U.S. Whistleblower Reward Programs, and their impact on corporate transparency. We also talk about cases involving the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in the international context. Reflecting on the recent tragic loss of Boeing whistleblower John Barnett, we discuss prevention strategies, mental health issues, and the evolving landscape of whistleblower protections. We conclude with some advice for board members on fostering a culture of accountability within organizations. If you like this show, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing this podcast on social media. You can also contribute as a Patron on the link patreon.com/BoardroomGovernancePod or you can subscribe to the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at evanepstein.substack.com This podcast is sponsored by the American College of Governance Counsel.
(0:00) Intro.
(1:27) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.
(2:14) Start of interview.
(3:30) Mary's "origin story."
(5:32) Her start as a whistleblower lawyer at Philips & Cohen. The advent of US Whistleblower reward programs (CFTC, SEC, IRS, Transportation, Treasury, and DOJ soon).
(7:50) The Theranos case and her representation of Tyler Schulz.
(14:02) More about the SEC Whistleblower Program.
(24:52) The Facebook (Meta) case and her representation of Frances Haugen. On the rise of whistleblowers in Silicon Valley: The Tech Worker Handbook (created by Ifeoma Ozoma, a whistleblower at Pinterest). The Silence No More Act (CA SB 331). Reference to Mark MacGann, the Uber whistleblower.
(31:00) On the health hazards to whistleblowers. Reference to New England Journal of Medicine article on impact in whistle-blowers in cases of major health care fraud. Unfortunate death of Boeing Whistleblower. The Personal Toll of Whistle-Blowing (New Yorker Magazine).
(37:52) On FCPA cases, and role of whistleblowers in foreign corruption enforced by the SEC and DOJ. Reference to the Billion Dollar Whale book.
(47:19) Future trends on whistleblower cases and corporate governance practices (elevation of Chief Compliance Officers).
(50:50) Advice to board members: embrace whistleblowers and encourage speaking up. Reference to this study: Evidence on the Use and Efficacy of Internal Whistleblowing Systems.
(52:37) Books that have greatly influenced her life: children books by William Steig (inspired her parenting).
(53:17) Her mentor: Lisa Foster.
(54:53) Quotes that she thinks of often or lives her life by: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." (Martin Luther King, Jr)
(55:53) An unusual habit or absurd thing that she loves.
(56:18) The living person she most admires: whistleblowers generally, "I call them Truth Tellers and Up Standers".
Mary Inman is a partner at Whistleblower Partners LLP, a new boutique law firm specializing exclusively in representing whistleblowers under the various U.S. whistleblower reward programs.