Internal Investigation & Risk Management
The Firm’s lawyers have extensive experience conducting internal investigations on behalf of both for-profit (public and private) companies, non-profit institutions, including schools, and other entities, often on behalf Boards of Directors and Audit functions. This work often includes the anticipation of and response to regulatory and enforcement investigations.
The Firm’s internal investigations, which often include restorative and compassionate interviews of those involved, are frequently undertaken following whistleblower or internal hotline reports, and are designed to seek truth and inform mitigation strategies.
Our lawyers have conducted internal investigations for Fortune 50 companies concerned about the risk of sensitive data leaks and for some of the largest charitable organizations in the world concerned about allegations of executive misconduct. They work with publicly-traded companies that have received threats to their senior leaders and who are concerned that the threats originated from employees, and for mission-driven small non-profits experiencing governance challenges. Our lawyers’ investigations have yielded outcomes where an allegation was confirmed to be true, and have included advice on appropriate risk mitigation steps (including separation of the accused), and outcomes where an allegation is determined to be false. Often working directly for a Board of Directors or Audit function, our lawyers have investigated the most sensitive of allegations, including of senior officials accused of sexual misconduct, bribery and corruption, and theft.
Our lawyers have a specialty conducting investigations for non-profit entities, including educational institutions and mission-driven 501(c)(3)s. Jordan Strauss of counsel to the firm. has an additional specialty conducting investigations involving governance and Director/C-level allegations, both for private companies, and for the largest and smallest of charitable organizations. Lawyers at the firm have conducted dozens of multi-disciplinary investigations, including those that require legal, accounting, traditional (interviewing), and cyber-enabled methods.
The Firm’s lawyers have given dozens of lectures, CLEs, and classes on effective investigations and risk mitigation.