Professionals
- Patrick S. Bryant
- Nathan C. Chase Jr.
- Cary B. Davis
- Robert W. Fuller
- Edward F. Hennessey IV
- Mark A. Hiller
- Travis S. Hinman
- Susan M. Huber
- Charles E. Johnson
- David C. Kimball
- Jonathan C. Krisko
- Emma T. Kutteh
- Margaret R. McLoughlin
- Amanda Pickens Nitto
- Melissa A. Romanzo
- Matthew W. Sawchak
- Gregory L. Skidmore
- Angelique R. Vincent
- Andrew R. Wagner
- David C. Wright III
- Julian H. Wright Jr.
- M. Bennett Wright
Overview
In today's environment, businesses may face investigations brought by a variety of federal and state authorities. Some proactively root out problems through internal investigations and seek advice on appropriate responses to employee and internal business issues, including cybercrime and data breaches. Others must address whistleblowers in False Claims Act or qui tam actions.
Robinson Bradshaw attorneys have experience in investigations and related litigation. We help businesses and their leaders discover the details of events that present them with legal risk and assist them in responding effectively to wrongdoing or government action. We develop effective strategies to handle imminent legal challenges as well as prevent exposure to future legal risks. Our work regularly includes representing clients in response to formal and informal government inquiries and investigations, assisting businesses in responding to data breaches and cyber incidents, and helping direct forensic investigations. Clients trust Robinson Bradshaw to respond to their most sensitive and critical matters with thorough, practical advice.
Our specific experience includes representing clients facing grand jury subpoenas and related investigations; assisting clients with inquiries from the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Department of Labor, and other federal and state agencies; and working on engagements for which we have been commissioned for internal investigations of public and private companies where no government or outside entities are involved. We also have been engaged by clients in numerous False Claims Act and state qui tam actions in courts across the country in a variety of industries.
Experience
Government Investigations and Litigation
Represent clients in SEC investigations relating to allegations of insider trading, accounting irregularities, market manipulation and broker/dealer noncompliance.
Successfully defended an internet services and hosting provider in an SEC investigation into the operation of an alleged Ponzi scheme that utilized the provider's services.
Represent a telecommunications provider in parallel government investigations by the Federal Communications Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and various departments of justice nationwide related to allegations of enabling malicious robocalls.
Represented a public health care system in successfully resolving a federal investigation regarding North Carolina’s Disproportionate Share Hospital program.
Represented an industrial manufacturing client in an antitrust investigation by the FTC and favorably resolved the matter after persuading the FTC not to pursue claims under the Sherman Act.
Represent a defense contractor in connection with internal investigations related to regulatory compliance issues and disclosure obligations.
Represent a plasma collection firm in connection with a state investigation related to regulatory compliance issues.
Represent a multinational commercial and consumer products company in matters relating to grand jury subpoenas.
Represent clients in investigations by the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice concerning allegations of price-fixing, market allocation and bid-rigging under Section 1 of the Sherman Act.
Successfully defended a bank employee charged with 28 counts of bank fraud, misapplication of funds and conspiracy, and obtained a directed verdict of acquittal after a nearly month-long jury trial in federal court.
Assist in negotiating proffer agreements and non-prosecution agreements with the DOJ Antitrust Division.
Coordinate matters for a client in a multifaceted matter involving (i) investigations by a grand jury in the Southern District of New York, the SEC, the U.S. Senate, the IRS, the DOJ and various state revenue agencies, and (ii) several dozen concurrent civil lawsuits in various states on the East Coast.
Represent clients in a U.S. Department of Labor investigation concerning the client's contractor status and inclusion of employer stock in a client company's 401(k) plan after a precipitous fall in the stock price.
Aid a financial services client in resolving attorney-client privilege, electronic discovery and spoliation issues arising from concurrent government investigations and civil lawsuits stemming from the financial crisis.
Advised multiple technology and telecommunications companies regarding law enforcement requests for customer data under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act.
Internal Investigations
Assist in self-reporting Sherman Act violations after internal investigations of potential anti-competitive activity.
Served as counsel to corporate audit committees and special committees investigating allegations of accounting irregularities, lack of internal controls, insider trading and misappropriation of corporate opportunities; worked extensively with auditors and forensic accountants to uncover unlawful internal activities.
Conducted an internal investigation relating to potential theft by employee of trade secrets of client's vendor.
Conducted an internal investigation for a committee of the board of a local company and represented the committee in a subsequent governance dispute.
Conducted an internal investigation of suspected forgery of drug testing paperwork relating to applicable FAA regulations.
Regularly conduct employment, antitrust and data-related internal investigations.
Conducted an internal investigation for the litigation committee of the board of a closely held company and serve as counsel for subsequent governance disputes.
False Claims Act/Qui Tam and Whistleblower Litigation
Lead national counsel defending a Fortune 20 telecommunications company in a series of cases alleging False Claims Act and other claims related to the alleged under-collection of certain government taxes. To date, we have achieved complete dismissals of claims, through appeal, in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Minnesota, Iowa and the District of Columbia.
Represented a physician management service in a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging retaliation for reporting of allegations of submission of false reimbursement claims to Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.
Represented a diagnostic laboratory CEO in defense of corporate derivative claims based on allegations of violations of federal False Claims Act.
Obtained summary judgment for a national bank in defense of Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower and other claims brought by a former investment adviser.
Cyber Investigations and Data Breach Response
Represented a large manufacturing company regarding an attempted ransomware attack, directing their response to thwart the attack and subsequent forensic investigation, advising on legal obligations and strategy, and handling related government investigations by the FBI, U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of State.
Represented a data analytics company regarding a cybersecurity incident resulting in payment fraud, working with the FBI to undertake an investigation that resulted in full recovery of the stolen funds and prosecution of the individual responsible.
Advised client regarding a potential cybersecurity attack, including preparation for law enforcement interviews and disclosure obligations under applicable data privacy laws.
Represented a nonprofit impacted by an internet fraud scheme misusing its trademarks and good will, helping develop a mitigation strategy and build a case to enable law enforcement intervention.
Advised a financial institution regarding a data breach involving a vendor, negotiated with the vendor concerning the forensic investigation and assisted with breach notifications.
Conducted an investigation of email fraud and successfully helped a technology company recover significant funds that had been stolen through a business email compromise scheme.
News & Events
News
- Oct. 22, 2024
- Sept. 17, 2024
- Sept. 10, 2024
- July 1, 2024
- June 27, 2024
- April 29, 2024
- April 19, 2024
- Feb. 29, 2024
- Nov. 30, 2023
- Nov. 15, 2023
- Sept. 21, 2023
- Aug. 30, 2023
- May 23, 2023
- April 27, 2023
- April 3, 2023
- Nov. 3, 2022
- Oct. 27, 2022
- Aug. 4, 2022
- April 7, 2022
- March 7, 2022
- Dec. 10, 2021
- Dec. 8, 2021
- Oct. 12, 2021
- Aug. 26, 2021
- Jan. 15, 2021
- Dec. 16, 2020
- Nov. 19, 2020
- Aug. 20, 2020
- April 28, 2020
- April 13, 2020
- April 1, 2020
- Feb. 26, 2020
- Feb. 21, 2020
- Jan. 22, 2020
- Oct. 17, 2019
- Oct. 1, 2019
- Sept. 30, 2019
- Aug. 15, 2019
- April 2, 2019
- Jan. 28, 2019
- Jan. 14, 2019
- Jan. 7, 2019
- Oct. 24, 2018
- Jan. 30, 2018
- Nov. 2, 2017
- Oct. 25, 2017
- Eight Named “Lawyer of the Year”Aug. 16, 2017
- Aug. 10, 2017
- May 31, 2017
- Jan. 26, 2017
Events
Client presentation
Feb. 27, 2024Robinson Bradshaw
101 N. Tryon St., Suite 1900
Charlotte, NC 28246Feb. 1, 2024The Umstead
100 Woodland Pond Drive
Cary, NC 27513March 15, 2023Virtual conference
Oct. 22, 2021Via webinar
April 23, 2021Via webinar
Oct. 6, 2020Byron's South End
101 W. Worthington Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28203Jan. 8, 2020Grand Bohemian
11 Boston Way
Asheville, NC 28803Oct. 4, 2019
Insights
- Jan. 26, 2021Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- May 30, 2019Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- May 30, 2019Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- Feb. 17, 2016Robinson Bradshaw Publication
- July 15, 2014Class Actions Brief Blog
- June 9, 2014Notes Bearing Interest, North Carolina Bar Association