Internal Investigations

Companies and other organizations responding to potential wrongdoing by employees or agents face a number of challenging decisions in designing and conducting internal investigations. Frequently these decisions must be made quickly, with imperfect information, and in high-pressure environments. A client needs steady, measured, thoughtful advice to guide it from initial crisis through resolution.

The attorneys of Miller & Chevalier's Internal Investigations practice are recognized as elite providers of internal investigation services and have substantial experience in guiding our clients through crisis management, the investigative process, dealing with enforcement officials, and any necessary remedial actions.

Global Reach/DC Expertise: Our attorneys speak 14 languages and have conducted investigations on the ground in more than 70 countries. We regularly interact with overseas enforcement agencies and can guide our clients through multiple cross-border inquiries and issues. Despite our global reach, our location in Washington, DC means we are nearby and regularly practice before federal law enforcement offices and regulatory agencies. As a result we know how to position our clients in the best way possible with U.S. law enforcement officials.

Planning an Internal Investigation: We work with our clients to evaluate initial reports of wrongdoing, weigh the potential consequences and outcomes, and design and implement an internal investigation that is proportionate to the issues and risks presented. We recognize that electronic data collection and review is an integral part of any investigation but can present numerous risks (and costs) for the unwary. In addition to designing tailored and focused electronic data review protocols for each internal investigation, we are attuned to local data privacy and protection laws to ensure that our data collection review remains in accordance with local law. 

Conducting an Internal Investigation: An internal investigation is a disruptive event for a business and a stressful one for its employees. We start by understanding the business of our clients and then conduct an internal investigation in a thorough yet efficient manner to minimize impact on day-to-day business but nonetheless result in a complete and credible investigative process. We regularly communicate with our clients during the course of an internal investigation, providing interim findings and reports as appropriate and ensuring the investigation remains properly scoped.

Working with the Regulators: In some instances internal investigations must be conducted in parallel with regulatory or law enforcement investigations. Our attorneys are deeply experienced in navigating the pitfalls and dangers of such parallel inquiries and ensuring the success of an internal investigation while appropriately responding to government inquiries.

Recognized Excellence: Miller & Chevalier attorneys have guided clients through some of the largest internal investigations and corporate resolutions in recent history, and many equally large investigations that remain confidential.  Our internal investigations practice was recognized as the "Boutique Firm of the Year" by Global Investigations Review in 2016, and ranked as one of the top global investigations practices in the world in the same survey.