Even the most meticulously managed company may suddenly become the target of a state or local government investigation. Drawing on substantial related experience, Wilson Elser’s Government Investigations Practice is prepared to assist regulated and non-regulated companies that do business with the government or private companies that receive government funding.

We respond effectively and appropriately to federal or state entities, including:

• The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• U.S. departments of Justice, Defense, Health, Insurance, Labor, the Environment, the Interior
• Federal and state offices of the inspector general
• State departments of Justice, Health, Insurance, Labor, Tax and Finance, the Environment
• State attorneys general.

Team members can frequently diffuse issues before they lead to litigation or regulatory action. If the government nonetheless brings enforcement actions, indictments or civil lawsuits, we prepare and mount effective defense strategies.

Clients often reach out to us for the first time when they receive an unexpected government inquiry. In some cases, significant amounts of money are at stake; in others, the risk is reputational damage. We scope the true implications of each situation and advise clients on the wisest course of action, from nuanced negotiations to full-blown litigation. Clients generally follow up by taking advantage of our ongoing consultative services, through which we develop a disciplined process for avoiding or responding to such government inquiries, helping to reduce risks and preserve business integrity.