A Blueprint for Conducting Internal Investigations | Best Practices for In-House Compliance Teams

Hinshaw partner David Cole has co-authored a two-part analysis for Compliance Week with PHI Health LLC General Counsel Michael Mayes. Their analysis offers guidance to in-house counsel and compliance professionals on how to conduct effective investigations and build a program for long-term success.

1. Running an Effective Internal Investigations Program

• In the first article, David explains why every organization today needs a strong, well-established investigations program as part of its compliance efforts. He describes five key pillars of an effective program that help companies quickly find and address problems before they escalate. These include policy design, confidential reporting, resources, proper training, and documentation.
• David also highlights how in-house counsel play an important role in building and improving these programs and offers practical tips for making integrity a central part of company culture.

2. Conducting Effective Internal Investigations

• In the second article, David focuses on best practices for conducting internal investigations. He addresses the growing need for companies to identify and resolve problems internally before regulators or the public get involved.
• David further explains how a careful, step-by-step approach, starting with defining clear goals, gathering facts, keeping good records, and taking action, helps protect a company’s reputation and build a culture of accountability. David also addresses common mistakes and provides recommendations on how to avoid them so that companies can use investigations to improve their operations and reduce future risks.