Workplace misconduct investigations
Handling sensitive investigations with care and expertise
Allegations of interpersonal misconduct in the workplace can have a severe impact on a company’s business. If not managed swiftly, properly, and fairly, these allegations can pose significant legal, regulatory, and reputational risks. When these allegations arise, companies must act quickly to develop facts, determine credibility, and reach independent and objective findings.
Freshfields’ team of investigations, litigation and crisis management attorneys regularly leads investigations into alleged workplace misconduct. We help clients determine what may have happened, how it may have happened, and what to do next. We are also skilled at handling a range of follow-on litigation, including shareholders who may act if they believe that corporate culture has contributed to the atmosphere in which the alleged misconduct occurred.
Our team is comprised of lawyers with deep experience in both private practice and the government. Many of our lawyers are former US federal prosecutors, including one lawyer who previously specialized in the investigation and prosecution of sexual abuse and harassment cases.
We conduct investigations with professionalism, discretion, and sensitivity, balancing empathy with a critical eye towards biases and credibility.
Client representations
Represented a newly public technology company in an investigation related to its workplace culture and allegations of workplace harassment.
Successfully secured a complex settlement on behalf of Pinterest and its board of directors in a shareholder derivative suit alleging breaches of fiduciary duty arising out of the alleged failure by management and the Board to prevent race and gender discrimination.
Conducted an internal investigation for a global bank in connection with claims that a senior New York-based banker engaged in years long sexual harassment and bullied junior traders.
Conducted an investigation for an oil and gas company into allegations of workplace misconduct by senior individuals from a whistleblower in a subsidiary.
Conducted an extensive investigation for a higher education institution into allegations that female athletes were routinely subjected to abusive hazing, that coaches and athletic department personnel failed to identify and prevent the conduct, and that administrative and academic officials did not properly address complaints when made.
Conducted an independent investigation and advised a religious organization’s leadership regarding allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace by a senior member of the clergy.
Global investigations
- Anti-bribery and corruption investigations
- Anti-money laundering
- Business and human rights
- Competition investigations
- Compliance investigations
- Data protection and privacy investigations
- Financial services investigations
- Sanctions
- Tax investigations and disputes
- White collar defense and corporate crime
- Workplace misconduct investigations
Our team
Jennifer Loeb Counsel
Washington, DC, Silicon Valley
Kathleen Healy Partner
London
Dr. Simone Kämpfer Partner
Düsseldorf
Doru Gavril Partner
Silicon Valley
Eric B. Bruce US Head of disputes, litigation and arbitration, and global investigations
Washington, DC, New York
Holly Insley Partner
London
Stephanie Chiu Counsel
Hong Kong