Practice Areas

A notice letter from the Department of Justice. A Civil Investigative Demand (CID). A data breach. Whatever triggered the alarm, your next move matters enormously — and moving without experienced legal guidance can make a serious situation much worse.

The attorneys at Burnette Shutt & McDaniel can help you conduct thorough internal corporate investigations that protect your organization, preserve your legal rights, and position you to respond rather than react. The firm can help your company manage its risk, respond to CIDs, subpoenas, or requests for information, and stand by your side in hearings and court proceedings.

What kinds of situations call for a company to launch an internal investigation?

• False Claims Act exposure. If a whistleblower has raised concerns about conduct at your business, you need to understand your exposure before the government does. Burnette Shutt & McDaniel attorney Johanna Valenzuela is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney who’s prosecuted scores of False Claims Act cases for the government. Business clients get an immense benefit from her in-depth insider’s perspective.
• Healthcare fraud. New ownership, a disgruntled employee, or a routine audit can reveal billing irregularities in programs involving federal funds, such as Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. An independent internal investigation demonstrates good faith and helps you get ahead of a regulatory inquiry and/or a False Claims Act investigation.
• Cybersecurity and data breaches. An internal investigation can clarify what happened, who is accountable, and what your legal obligations are in the event of a data breach. Burnette Shutt & McDaniel can work in tandem with Francie Kleckley, a member of the firm’s Privacy and Data Protection Team. A highly skilled privacy professional who holds three certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals, Francie previously served as national director of Privacy and Policy Compliance for the Internal Revenue Service.
• DOJ contact or government inquiry. If you’ve received a notice letter, a CID, a subpoena, or any outreach from a federal agency, an investigative team can help you manage documents, preserve privilege, and protect your interests.

Burnette Shutt & McDaniel also defends organizations and individuals against accusations that arise during or after an investigation. You deserve someone in your corner who knows how to challenge the claims and protect your reputation.

When the pressure is on, experience and discretion make all the difference. Contact Burnette Shutt & McDaniel to talk about your situation.