Overview
Businesses today face a regulatory environment that is increasingly complex, with scrutiny coming from multiple directions – the government, the media, stockholders, employees, customers and others. As a result, even the best-managed companies face a growing risk of legal exposure and potential threats to their performance, profitability, and reputation.
Led by the former chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, William W. “Billy” Wilkins, our corporate compliance attorneys work with clients to develop and implement programs that help minimize risk, ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and protect corporate reputations. Our capabilities range from reviewing existing policies to designing processes and procedures that satisfy the law and also meet, and sometimes exceed, ethical business standards.
Wilkins’ background brings unique benefits and insight to the practice group and our clients. Selected by President Ronald Reagan as the first-ever chairman of the U.S. Sentencing Commission, he was responsible for establishing the federal sentencing guidelines, policies and practices for the federal criminal justice system — including corporate compliance and white-collar crime.
Broad-based experience
Our corporate compliance experience covers civil and criminal investigations and related matters. We represent companies and individuals to help resolve these problems. Our lawyers customize compliance programs and legal strategies to meet company-specific objectives, goals, and cultures.
Beyond that, corporate compliance attorneys can also draw upon the experience and knowledge of numerous other practice groups to develop best practices and codes of conduct that can withstand even the most thorough examination.
We also provide a range of complementary services, including:
- Conducting internal investigations
- Developing conflict of interest policies for corporations and boards
- Risk assessment evaluations
- Representation in white-collar criminal defense matters
- Development of monitoring processes
- Corporate ethics programs
- Compliance audits and in-house training
- Records and e-mail retention programs
- Defending whistleblower and related allegations
- Representation in false claims and corporate fraud allegations
- E-discovery and FRCP
- HIPPA compliance
Sarbanes-Oxley
We have an extensive background in matters related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and have worked with boards of directors, board committees (such as audit and compensation), individual directors, and special committees to implement and refine best practices in governance. Our team includes attorneys who have not only represented companies on these issues, but who have also served on corporate boards and as CEOs of various companies.
Tax-exempt organizations also face compliance issues, and we have significant experience helping them meet federal and state requirements regarding their charitable or nonprofit purposes.