Corporate Investigations
When misconduct allegations threaten reputations and operations, companies call O’Melveny. We investigate sensitive matters and help clients navigate any fallout.
O’Melveny Launches National Security Enforcement Task Force
When misconduct allegations threaten reputations and operations, companies call O’Melveny. We investigate sensitive matters and help clients navigate any fallout.
O’Melveny Launches National Security Enforcement Task Force
Our team of former prosecutors and regulators guides corporations, boards, and audit committees through sensitive internal investigations, helping them assess allegations of wrongdoing, make disclosures, and craft new policies to prevent repeat problems. We tailor each investigation to its particular facts, circumstances, and issues while prioritizing efficiency, the preservation of privilege and striving to stay out of the way of day-to-day operations.
We take a comprehensive approach to these engagements, navigating parallel government inquiries, outside auditor diligence, litigation threats, and media strategy. Our strengths include:
- Board Investigations. We help corporate boards and special committees with independent investigations and advise on steps for remediation.
- Cross-Border Investigations. We lead investigations involving cross-border activity and leverage our global footprint to conduct local interviews in jurisdictions around the world in native languages and in accordance with cultural norms. We also work with our data-privacy team to ensure compliance with international privacy rules while conducting interviews and gathering data.
- Whistleblowers. We provide clear, actionable advice on how to navigate whistleblower protections involving both known and anonymous whistleblowers before, during, and after investigations.
Our experience covers a broad array of substantive areas, including:
- Accounting Fraud
- Bribery and Extortion
- Consumer Fraud
- C-Suite and Executive Malfeasance
- Cyber Incidents
- Economic Sanctions
- Environmental Enforcement
- False Claims Act
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Health Care Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Price and Wage Fixing
- Securities Fraud and Insider Trading
- Trade Secrets
- Workplace Misconduct and Discrimination
Conducted an internal investigation of telecom giant CenturyLink after a former employee alleged a scheme by the company to overcharge its customers. CenturyLink announced results of the inquiry, which were well received by the market, after its merger with Level 3, creating the 2nd-largest US telecom provider to global enterprise customers.
Conducted an investigation for a global technology company in response to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act inquiries from the US government. Our review included the company’s operations in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa, Kenya, Colombia, Brazil, and India. After presented with the findings of our investigation, the Department of Justice declined to pursue the matter further.
Completed a high-profile investigation on behalf of the audit committee of Mattel’s Board of Directors into allegations by an anonymous whistleblower of an accounting error and questions about the independence of the company’s outside auditor.
Conducted a neutral review of a sensitive, high-profile matter related to allegations of workplace misconduct at the team’s practice facility. Following the independent investigation, the team announced the termination of the general manager and took remedial measures.
Conducted an independent investigation into UCLA’s response to sexual misconduct allegations against five former UCLA physicians. O’Melveny reported its factual findings and related policy and process recommendations to the Regents, who applied those recommendations across the UC system.
Conducted an internal investigation into student athlete allegations of misconduct by a head coach of Syracuse University’s women’s basketball program. The alleged behavior ranged from unwanted physical contact and threats and other forms of bullying of players. We made recommendations for improving the Syracuse sports program’s environment and culture, including measures to identify, escalate, and address student athlete concerns in the future. In a statement released to the media, Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack thanked the O’Melveny team “for the thoroughness of their work.”
Represented the university’s board of trustees in conducting a thorough and neutral internal investigation into USC’s handling of sexual abuse allegations against a former USC student health gynecologist and related reporting failures. Following our final report to the Board, USC introduced a variety of remedial measures.
Handled an investigation of alleged ethical violations by DC Councilmember Jack Evans, the Ward 2 representative and the District’s longest-serving lawmaker. The investigation culminated in a 97-page report that documented O’Melveny’s findings and conclusions that Evans likely violated the Council’s ethics rule with respect to his multiple private consulting clients and his law firm employment. The Council unanimously voted to recommend Evans be expelled for ethical violations; he resigned soon after.
Consistently ranked by Chambers USA among the leading firms in California, New York, Washington, DC, and Texas for Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations and among the leading firms in the nation for Corporate Crime & Investigations. Clients and sources tell Chambers:
- “They have a strong practice and they offer fantastic work in high-stakes situations.”
- “They are very practical and focused on providing the best possible practical and actionable advice.”
- “They get the job done in accordance with the client’s expectations and offer 360-degree service.”
- “These guys are world class. They have handled a complicated situation very impressively.”
- “If you want a team that will pay attention to every detail and make all the right moves, this is the team.”
Consistently ranked by The Legal 500 US as a leading firm in the nation for Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Corporates and Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals.
- “Very strong team. Extremely professional, efficient and business oriented.”
- “A truly exceptional team, which is praised for its ‘singular focus on delivering the best representation for clients.’”