Dallas Corporate Investigation Consultants & Lawyers

We help businesses in Dallas prevent fraud and fight federal allegations by conducting exhaustive internal investigations.

Companies of all sizes face legal risks on a daily basis. From employees stealing corporate assets to federal authorities looking into your company’s billing or accounting practices, things can – and will – go wrong. When these types of issues arise, conducting a prompt and thorough internal investigation can be critical, as this will provide insight into both the scope of the issue and the responsive measures that are necessary.

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, our firm represents local, regional, and national companies in internal corporate investigations. We have local attorneys and former federal investigative agents who are available to act immediately if necessary. Our experience encompasses all types of litigation matters and federal administrative, civil, and criminal law enforcement proceedings, and in addition to representing clients in corporate investigations, we provide representation for civil lawsuits, federal investigations, and federal prosecutions as well.

While many of our clients come to us at the first sign of a potential issue, we also represent companies in times of crisis. If your company has experienced a data breach or misappropriation of intellectual property (IP), or if your company is already being targeted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or another federal agency, we can provide representation on an emergency basis. We can conduct an internal investigation in order to gather the information needed to make strategic decisions, and then we can execute a response that is tailored specifically to the circumstances at hand.

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former Department of Justice

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA

John W. Sellers

Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice

Local Counsel

Joanne Fine DeLena

Former Assistant U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Joe Brown

Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney

Local Trial & Defense Counsel

Amanda Marshall

Former U.S. Attorney

Local Counsel

Aaron L. Wiley

Former Federal Prosecutor

Local Counsel

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (OIG)

Michael Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Chris Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Does Your Company Need to Conduct an Internal Investigation?

While we have provided some examples already, there are numerous issues that can trigger the need for a corporate internal investigation. At Oberheiden P.C., we handle all types of internal investigations, including those focused on preventing and pursuing claims for wrongs committed against the company as well as those focused on assessing potential exposure in federal law enforcement matters. Our corporate investigations practice includes representing companies in matters involving:

• Theft of IP and other corporate assets
• Shareholder claims and disputes
• Corporate fraud and bribery perpetrated by executives and board members
• Data security breaches and active cybersecurity threats
• Federal statutory and regulatory compliance violations
• Government contract fraud
• Government benefit program fraud
• Accounting, self-reporting, and self-disclosure issues
• Employee claims alleging discrimination and other issues
• Whistleblower claims

What to Expect During a Corporate Internal Investigation

The internal investigation process is unique from other types of legal matters. Company leaders and in-house counsel must work closely with corporate investigations counsel, and the entire process must be carefully structured and managed in order to maximize its efficacy, avoid critical miscues, and preserve the attorney-client privilege. When we represent companies in Dallas in corporate investigations, our Dallas federal criminal lawyers and former federal investigators provide services including:

1. Determining the Appropriate Scope of the Investigation

Determining the appropriate scope of the investigation is crucial; and, in many circumstances, this will not be readily apparent. In fact, in many circumstances, preliminary investigative measures must be undertaken in order to determine to what extent the company may be exposed. However, this step is critically important, as overlooking relevant concerns can cause the investigation to be ineffective and can lead to individuals who may be implicated in the alleged wrongdoing being named as members of the investigation team.

2. Assembling the Investigation Team

Once it is clear what needs to be investigated and how the investigation will proceed, then it is possible to assemble an investigation team. While the investigation should be led and overseen in all respects by outside counsel, certain internal personnel will need to be involved as well. In addition to appointing appropriate personnel to specific roles, the process of assembling an investigation team should also involve establishing reporting structures and advising all personnel involved of the policies and procedures they must follow during and after the investigative process.

3. Reviewing Electronic and Hardcopy Corporate Records

In certain respects, conducting an internal investigation is similar to conducting discovery during civil litigation. All pertinent records must be preserved, collected, and reviewed without exception. The records that need to be reviewed will be determined based on the necessary scope of the investigation, including both the substance and timeframe of the issue (or issues) at hand. With extensive experience in a broad range of matters, our lawyers and investigators can both quickly determine what records need to be reviewed and quickly review the relevant documentation in order to reach a conclusion.

4. Interviewing Employees

In many cases, internal corporate investigations will also involve interviewing employees. These interviews need to be conducted very carefully, particularly while an investigation remains covert. Whether an employee is considered a witness or has been identified as a potential bad actor, caution must be taken to avoid raising concerns or triggering the disclosure of information that could compromise the company’s position in subsequent litigation or federal enforcement proceedings.

5. Preserving the Attorney-Client Privilege

Preserving the attorney-client privilege during an internal investigation is of paramount importance. If the privilege is not preserved, then any information uncovered during the investigative process could become discoverable in subsequent proceedings. Communications between company insiders and outside counsel could become compromised as well, and if the company is at risk for liability, this could have drastic consequences. We take exhaustive measures to protect the privilege during our clients’ internal investigations in order to ensure that this remains a non-issue.

6. Reporting Our Findings with Actionable Recommendations

As our clients’ investigations progress, our attorneys remain in close contact with company leaders in order to keep them fully informed and provide intelligence as it becomes available. Once the investigative process is complete, we provide comprehensive, actionable recommendations regarding next steps.

Depending on the nature of the investigation and the circumstances involved, these recommendations could include undertaking efforts in anticipation of initiating litigation, preparing to defend against a civil lawsuit, self-disclosing a compliance issue to the appropriate federal authority, preparing to fend off allegations in a federal audit or investigation, or updating the company’s compliance documentation. If warranted by the circumstances, we will recommend simply maintaining the status quo. The purpose of an internal investigation is not to steer the process toward one particular outcome, but rather to determine what is necessary and appropriate based on the facts presented.

7. Taking Appropriate Remedial or Responsive Measures

Finally, if engaged to do so, we will provide representation for taking remedial or responsive measures based on the outcome of the investigation. Our practice encompasses all aspects of federal litigation and defense, and our Dallas-based attorneys and nationwide network of affiliated counsel are prepared to represent our clients in federal jurisdictions across the country. We can seek emergency relief or defend against civil allegations in federal district court, and we have extensive experience defending clients against federal allegations in audits, investigations, and prosecutions involving the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and a long list of other federal administrative and law enforcement agencies.

Q&A with Dallas Corporate Investigations Lawyer Nick Oberheiden, PhD

Speak with a Dallas Corporate Investigation Consultant or Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C.

If you have more questions and would like to speak with one of our Dallas corporate investigations lawyers in confidence, we encourage you to contact us promptly. We make ourselves available to current and prospective clients 24/7, so call 972-846-8818 or tell us how to reach you online now.

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Oberheiden P.C.
4131 N Central Expy, #900
Dallas, TX 75205
972-846-8818