Companies need to recognize the importance of responding effectively to a whistleblower complaint.  The Enron case, and many others after that, started with a whistleblower complaint which the company either ignored or bungled in its response. I have repeatedly advised companies to develop a whistleblower triage strategy for assessing, responding to, and dealing with whistleblowers.  There are a number of ways to set up a...

Webinar — Third-Party Due Diligence: When is Enough, Enough? December 17, 2013 12 Noon – 1 PM EST Register: Here In this era of aggressive FCPA enforcement, companies are designing and implementing robust due diligence systems to screen and monitor third party representatives. These policies and procedures are critical for an effective anti-corruption compliance program. Due diligence, however, does not mean scientific certainty. In the...

There are so many potential pitfalls in conducting an internal investigation.  I always say that there is an “art” to conducting an effective internal investigation.  There are so many ways in which an investigator can be derailed, waste resources, and/or lose focus while conducting an investigation.  One of the most common ways in which a company can derail an internal investigation is by failing to...

Everyone knows that a compliance officer does not need to be a lawyer.  Some compliance professionals believe that lawyers do not make very good compliance officers – the jury is out on that.  To me, what matters more is the personal attributes that a person brings to a job – are they positive, persistent, goal-directed, self-effacing, and able to communicate and work together with people....

Just when you thought something was a “trend,” the Department of Justice adopts a new policy approach.  This year has been a very active enforcement year – the strongest year of FCPA enforcement since 2010. Starting with the Total settlement earlier this year, and continuing with the Diebold and Weatherford settlements, the Department of Justice has required companies to retain an independent monitor. The Department...

The government recognizes the importance of compliance and Chief Compliance Officers.  In a number of recent speeches, the leadership of the Justice Department and the SEC have made important statements supporting corporate compliance programs and the role of chief compliance officers. SEC Commissioner Mary Jo White praised CCOs and the important role that they play in ensuring compliance in an organization (here).  Deputy Attorney General...

The SEC’s Whistleblower program has been steadily gaining momentum.  The increase in whistleblower protections and incentives to report misconduct is a real and serious risk. Companies, however, have a lot on their plate these days, and it is hard to brush aside higher priority risks to address whistleblower issues.  Once companies start to focus on the issue, they need to develop procedures for listening to...

The idea of legal “marketing” has been diluted in the last few years.  As businesses become smarter consumers of legal services, in-house counsel and Chief Compliance Officers are much better at deciphering legal mumbo jumbo. Perhaps the best example of legal marketing as an oxymoron, was the roll-out of the UK Bribery Act.  Legal marketing was premised on one idea –fear and fear alone.  Client...

Building an Integrated Third-Party Due Diligence System: Screening to Audits December 4, 2013 12 Noon – 1 PM EST  Register: Here Almost every FCPA Almost every FCPA enforcement action involves violations committed by third-party agents, consultants and distributors. Many companies have instituted due diligence procedures to screen third-parties, consultants and distributors, and have added appropriate contractual provisions to protect against bribery. Due diligence systems involve numerous...

Companies are always fighting against stovepipes.  It is inevitable but offices, divisions and/or functions within a company are always seeking an “advantage,” in competition against other parts of the company. A company dedicated to teamwork and collaboration is always fighting against the forces of resistance and turf protection.  Stovepipes undermine corporate functions and overall global management and resource allocation.  Information has to be shared across...