Business Investigations
Every Virginia business should conduct periodic legal self assessments to ensure that the company and its employees are complying with the law, the company’s contracts, and applicable regulations or guidelines. A planned Due Diligence investigation can be a more formal assessment conducted by our firm and a team of experts into your business’s operations. This can identify future risk and save the company financial and legal exposure through a privileged investigation.
Other times, however, your business receives an unexpected summons, demand, or subpoena regarding possible legal action from a client, vendor, or state or federal regulatory authority. Similarly, your business may uncover evidence of an on-going crime–such as embezzlement or contract fraud–by an employee or contractor. Regardless of the situation, your company needs to take action immediately to investigate the circumstances and respond effectively to mitigate the risks.
Purpose of Business Investigations
Business investigations are crucial for any business. Failure to conduct periodic business investigations–whether part of a routine schedule or in response to an allegation–exposes the business to greater risks for a number of reasons. First, serious concerns that may threaten the viability of a business may not be uncovered until it is too late. Second, a delay in investigating will make it difficult to gather accurate data and information that may be needed in responding to a regulatory or legal complaint (for example, the United States Department of Justice or Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation). Third, a timely investigation may allow your business to more quickly investigate and refute an inaccurate complaint.
There are many other benefits to conducting a timely internal investigation. In short, the time and expense of acting quickly is worth the long-term benefit.
Focus of Virginia Business Investigations
- Formation/Licensing/Taxation Compliance
- Criminal Investigation
- Data Breach or Cyber Attack
- Embezzlement/Fraud by an Employee
- Labor Law/Employment Compliance
- Notice of Pending Lawsuit
- Receipt of Legal Hold Letter
- Risk Mitigation
To find out more about Virginia business investigations, contact our office today.
