Workplace Investigations

In Depth

Why Cooley

Whether spurred by internal complaints, regulatory scrutiny or media focus, workplace misconduct allegations pose significant legal, business, and reputational risks to private and public companies of every size. Made up of former government lawyers, subject matter experts and leading employment lawyers, Cooley’s unmatched team understands the high stakes involved when such allegations arise.

Our team draws on its extensive experience in internal investigations and crisis management to provide bespoke guidance and solutions. Our deep understanding of our clients’ businesses enables us to efficiently and thoroughly investigate allegations of workplace misconduct while also minimizing business disruptions.

Cooley’s clients depend on us to guide their companies through the aftermath of workplace misconduct allegations, including implementing solutions, litigation risk management and interfacing with regulators. Our clients comprise companies of every size, as well as boards of directors, company committees and individual executives. We understand the business imperative in reporting clear, actionable investigative findings to enable clients to navigate such allegations – and the sensitivities that often arise in managing these matters. In this constantly changing legal area, Cooley’s team of innovative and experienced lawyers work diligently to identify, address, and mitigate the risks posed to companies by allegations of workplace misconduct.

Representative matters:

• Investigated and resolved gender and sexual orientation discrimination claims alleged by then-employed in-house counsel at a public company
• Investigated allegations of personal and financial misconduct involving several high-level executives at a multinational insurance and finance company
• Investigated whistleblower claims of sexual misconduct by a senior executive in multiple geographies worldwide
• Investigated whistleblower complaints alleging that senior executives at a public energy company inflated results to secure higher bonuses
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of biopharmaceutical company in response to a whistleblower’s allegations of sexual and financial misconduct by the CEO
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a blockchain analysis firm into allegations of bribery of a government official by an employee
• Investigated issues raised by the conduct of the founder and former CEO of a private company – including potential misappropriation of funds, violations of US economic sanctions and data privacy laws
• Conducted an internal investigation on behalf of a freight tech startup company regarding alleged misappropriation of company funds for personal use by CEO
• Represented an insurtech company in an internal investigation, a Department of Justice investigation and civil litigation arising from a former executive’s fraudulent conduct