Founding attorney Thomas E. Zehnle performs internal corporate investigations for a range of domestic and international business clients. These clients include privately-held entities and multinational companies. Mr. Zehnle has earned a national and international reputation for his professionalism, judgment and credibility in handling highly sensitive investigations involving allegations of financial fraud and other purported corporate malfeasance.
Mr. Zehnle has helped to not only limit potential liability and exposure for his clients, but also to enhance their internal processes and procedures through the implementation of preventative measures and by providing guidance on effective compliance programs.
Internal Investigations and Litigation Strategy
When conducting an internal investigation, Mr. Zehnle is committed to fully integrating strategic considerations at every stage of the process with the company’s in-house counsel. In many ways, an effective corporate internal investigation plays out like a decision-tree:
- Did someone in the company do something wrong, or appear to do something wrong?
- If so, is the company required to report the violation to the relevant authorities?
- If not, will it nevertheless benefit the company to report the violation?
- Is there a whistleblower risk that must be considered?
- How much will this potentially cost the company, both financially and in terms of reputational damage?
In handling any internal corporate investigation, it must be remembered that the attorney-client relationship has heightened importance. The lawyers who are hired to investigate are given access to a great deal of sensitive information, and this information must be handled appropriately in order to safeguard the client’s legal privileges as well as their business interests (such as trade secrets).