Leading Whistleblower Attorney Speaks at Yale School of Management

On February 5, 2026, leading whistleblower attorney Stephen Kohn spoke at the Yale School of Management’s “Strategic Leadership Across Sectors” course on a “Whistleblowers & Dissent” panel. Kohn is a founding partner of Kohn, Kohn & Colapinto and Chairman of the National Whistleblower Center.

Along with Kohn, the panel included whistleblowers Richard Spencer, former United States Secretary of the Navy and current Managing Director at Pallas Ventures; Olivia Troye, former United States Homeland Security Advisor; Sherron Watkins, former Vice President of Enron; and Frances Haugen, a former lead Product Manager at Facebook.

Bringing both a legal and business ethics perspective to the discussion, Kohn explained how whistleblowers are essential for exposing crimes and wrongdoings. He emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of those who hold businesses accountable, describing how the First Amendment and the rule of law keep businesses grounded in basic democratic principles.

Kohn’s main takeaway for the class was that today’s whistleblower protection laws, which offer confidentiality and compensation, are stronger than ever. “The laws have matured so that whistleblowers can now come on top,” he said. He discussed how whistleblowers’ careers can prevail after retaliation, as current laws allow for people to anonymously and legally exercise their rights.

In response to Kohn’s panel discussion, Watkins praised Kohn’s ability to “help whistleblowers in creative ways.” Spencer commented, “Life is all about checks and balances, and you need people like Stephen out there to keep people in check.”

During the closing Q&A, students were curious about how whistleblowing can be an option in their future careers. When asked about ethical dilemmas in the workplace, Kohn informed students that although successful reporting can be a risky proposition, legal advice can ensure that whistleblowers receive maximum legal protection.