Government + Internal Investigations

Strategic Guidance for Internal & Government Investigations

In today's complex regulatory environment, organizations face unprecedented scrutiny from government agencies, shareholders, and the public. When allegations of wrongdoing arise, how your organization responds can mean the difference between a minor setback and an existential crisis.

Our Government and Internal Investigations practice combines deep regulatory knowledge with practical business acumen to help organizations navigate these challenging waters while protecting their interests and reputation.

A Strategic Partner for Critical Moments

Our team understands that investigations require more than just legal expertise—they demand strategic thinking, discretion, and a thorough understanding of your business objectives. Whether responding to a government inquiry or conducting an internal investigation, we work closely with your leadership team to:

  • Minimize business disruption while maintaining investigative integrity
  • Protect attorney-client privilege and work product
  • Manage internal and external communications effectively
  • Navigate complex reporting obligations
  • Implement remedial measures when necessary
  • Preserve key business relationships and reputation

Internal Investigations: Proactive Governance in Action

In an era of increased corporate accountability, boards and executive leadership must demonstrate robust oversight and decisive action when potential wrongdoing comes to light. Our attorneys guide organizations through every stage of internal investigations, including:

Investigation Planning and Execution

  • Developing investigation scope and methodology
  • Preserving relevant documents and electronic data
  • Conducting witness interviews
  • Analyzing financial records and business transactions
  • Preparing comprehensive investigation reports
  • Recommending corrective actions

Strategic Decision-Making Support

  • Evaluating voluntary disclosure obligations and benefits
  • Assessing potential legal exposure and mitigation strategies
  • Advising on personnel actions and disciplinary measures
  • Managing shareholder and stakeholder communications
  • Coordinating with auditors and other external advisors

Government Investigations: Skilled Advocacy When Stakes Are Highest

Government investigations can arise from various sources—whistleblower complaints, routine audits, or industry-wide enforcement initiatives. Our experienced team helps organizations and individuals respond effectively to:

  • Subpoenas
  • Search warrants
  • Civil investigative demands
  • Regulatory agency inquiries
  • State attorney general investigations

We work proactively with government investigators to achieve optimal outcomes while protecting our clients' interests. Our approach emphasizes constructive engagement with investigators while vigorously negotiating reasonable scope limitations to manage burden and cost.

Throughout the process, we carefully safeguard privileged information while efficiently managing document production to meet investigative demands. We provide comprehensive witness preparation to ensure testimony is accurate and complete while consistently advocating for favorable resolutions that align with our clients' objectives.

Compliance Programs: Prevention Through Preparation

The best defense against misconduct is a robust compliance program tailored to your organization's specific risks and operations. Our team helps clients develop and maintain effective compliance programs to protect the company in the event of allegations of wrongdoing and maintain an environment of proactive compliance.

Program Development and Implementation

Our comprehensive approach to compliance program development begins with a thorough assessment of industry-specific risks and regulatory requirements unique to your organization. Based on this foundation, we design practical policies and procedures tailored to your operations while establishing clear reporting channels and investigation protocols.

We then collaborate with your internal team to create effective training programs that ensure understanding and adherence across all levels of the organization. Finally, we assist your team in implementing robust monitoring and testing procedures to maintain program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

Training and Education

We deliver targeted training programs across all organizational levels to ensure a comprehensive understanding of compliance obligations. Executive leadership receives focused training on their critical oversight responsibilities, while managers learn essential skills for spotting and escalating potential concerns.

Employees at all levels participate in detailed training on compliance policies and proper reporting procedures. Additionally, we provide specialized education for board members regarding their fiduciary duties and oversight obligations, ensuring strong governance from the top down.

Why Choose Our Team

Our Government and Internal Investigations practice offers:

Deep Experience: Our attorneys include former prosecutors, regulatory enforcement attorneys, and experienced corporate counsel who understand investigations from all angles.

Business Focus: We recognize that legal issues don't exist in a vacuum. Our advice always considers your broader business objectives and operational realities.

Practical Solutions: We don't just identify problems—we help solve them with concrete, actionable recommendations.

Industry Knowledge: Our team has extensive experience in highly regulated industries, including healthcare, financial services, government contracting, and manufacturing.

Crisis Management: When investigations threaten to become public relations challenges, we work seamlessly with communications professionals to manage reputational risk.

A Partnership Approach

We view ourselves as partners in protecting your organization's interests, not just legal service providers. Our team invests time in understanding your business, industry, and culture to provide contextualized advice that addresses your specific needs and concerns.

When allegations of wrongdoing arise, time is often of the essence. Our team stands ready to respond quickly and effectively to help your organization navigate these challenging situations while minimizing disruption to your business operations.

Contact us to learn more about how our Government and Internal Investigations practice can help your organization maintain compliance, respond effectively to potential wrongdoing, and protect its interests in government investigations.

We are your established legal network with offices in Asheville, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, and Wilmington, NC.

Government + Internal Investigations Team

W. Ellis Boyle

Chris S. Edwards

Justin T. Hill

X. Lightfoot

Avery J. Locklear

Emily G. Massey

Will Oden

Grant B. Osborne

Genesis E. Torres

Hayley R. Wells

Devon D. Williams

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