Focus Area
Government Investigations
Government scrutiny—whether by means of a subpoena, civil investigative demand, or informal request—can carry significant consequences even when an organization or individual may not be the direct target of an inquiry or investigation. Our Government Investigations Group provides early intervention and strategic counsel at every stage of an inquiry, helping clients act quickly, minimize potentially negative outcomes, and protect their reputations.
Public and private companies, nonprofits, institutions, and individuals rely on us to navigate through government inquiries that can derail operations and carry lasting implications. Clients turn to us across industries including commercial real estate, retail, hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, automotive, and financial technology. Our experience spans government investigations, including False Claims Act and Qui Tam actions, cybersecurity and privacy breach investigations, nonprofit oversight inquiries, and environmental and workplace safety matters.
Clients benefit from our seasoned attorneys, several who have served as assistant attorney general, special attorneys general, and corporate advisors. This experience enables us to anticipate regulators’ strategies and craft pragmatic responses. We conduct internal investigations, defend clients as targets or witnesses in investigations, coordinate defenses to parallel proceedings, and prepare executives and employees for testimony. Clients count on our ability to engage with regulators thoughtfully, resolve matters efficiently, and when necessary, negotiate fair settlements. And, when disputes cannot be resolved short of litigation, we advocate with determination and precision—aligning legal strategy with business and reputational goals.
Among the government investigations and inquiries for which our attorneys have provided counsel and representation are matters investigated or prosecuted by:
- State Attorney General and Inspector General Offices (AG/IG)
- U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour (WHD)
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Our familiarity with these and other regulators and enforcement bodies assures clients their matters are handled with informed perspective and steady judgment.
Expertise
Key Contacts
Christian W. Habersaat
Director, Boston
chabersaat@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3549Carla A. Reeves
Director, Boston
creeves@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 3853Jaclyn Grodin
Counsel, New York
jgrodin@goulstonstorrs.com+1 212 878 5053