Internal investigations

Internal investigations have become an ordinary reality for organizations. A whistleblower report, a harassment allegation, a compliance failure, exposure under a duty-of-vigilance plan: the company must respond quickly, methodically, and without creating the conditions for a later proceeding.

The firm assists companies and organizations — associations, local authorities, educational institutions — in setting up and conducting internal investigations that respect the principles of due process: impartiality, the right to be heard, protection for the individuals interviewed, and coverage under attorney-client privilege. The stakes are not only to establish the facts: the goal is to produce work that will withstand later judicial scrutiny.

Areas covered include: integrity and anti-corruption matters, prevention of psychological and sexual harassment, discrimination, compliance, duty of vigilance, and GDPR.

Being summoned as part of an internal investigation is not a formality. The rights of the defense apply, even outside a judicial setting. The firm advises and assists individuals implicated in an internal investigation, ensures that the procedure respects their rights, and, where necessary, conducts the defense before any disciplinary or judicial proceedings that may follow.

France's duty-of-vigilance law places responsibility on large companies to prevent harm to human rights and the environment across their business chains. The firm assists organizations in establishing their vigilance plans and social-responsibility processes, and conducts negotiations or mediations with stakeholders — employees, unions, NGOs, government bodies — where reaching a prior agreement is necessary or advisable.

When a company is implicated — in court or in the media — for failing to meet its vigilance or compliance obligations, the firm conducts negotiations between stakeholders or handles the defense in proceedings.

Veritas vincit. — Truth prevails.