INTERNAL
INVESTIGATIONS

Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein regularly conducts internal investigations into allegations of misconduct. We bring the expertise and sensitivity necessary to provide conscientious investigative services to all levels of an organization, particularly in connection with allegations that implicate executives and elected officials.

We conduct impartial, timely, and thorough investigations for corporations, public agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions. Our experience extends to a wide variety of civil and criminal allegations, including:

  • Fraud

  • Embezzlement

  • Anti-competitive conduct

  • Breaches of fiduciary duty

  • Conflicts of interests

  • Harassment

  • Retaliation

  • Bullying

  • Assault

  • Discrimination based on race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, and ability

Our investigation team comprises well-trained attorneys with a wealth of experience in various sectors, including former federal prosecutors, litigators, and employment law practitioners. In addition to expertise in discovering facts and uncovering the causes of conflict, our team includes skilled writers and editors. We provide well-written investigative reports to help our clients reach prompt, reasonable, and cost-effective resolutions of conflicts.  Whether it is in anticipation of litigation, to mitigate regulatory oversight, or for internal compliance and governance, leading businesses and organizations regularly turn to Adams, Duerk & Kamenstein.

We specialize in sensitive internal investigations, providing our clients, including Fortune 500 companies, world-renowned  universities, and public entities, with the information they need for critical decision-making and litigation defense.

  • Leading an investigation on behalf of an independent private school into allegations of an inappropriate teacher-student relationship in the high school and any reports of potential other related failures in the school’s historic and current systems.

    Led an investigation into allegations of the State Bar of California’s former Deputy Executive Director’s improper administration of the State Bar’s Rule 2201 program from 2010-2015. This program governs the handling of allegations of attorney misconduct when the State Bar’s internal investigators may have a conflict of interest and provides for the appointment of external, independent investigators. The investigation report concluded that in various instances, the external investigations and reports lacked independence and were, in fact, “ghostwritten” by the former State Bar Deputy Executive Director. ADK investigated the allegations and issued a final report to the State Bar, which made the findings public.

    Led an investigation on behalf of a Fortune 500 company into allegations by a former senior director of human resources of unlawful anti-union activity, retaliation, and racial discrimination against other members of the human resources department.

    Co-led an investigation on behalf of a nationally known public university system into allegations of racial and gender discrimination, retaliation, bullying, and abuse of authority.

    Led dozens of investigations on behalf of a Fortune 500 company, including those with allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.

    Led an investigation on behalf of the State Bar of California into an alleged conflict of interest concerning a former chair of the State Bar’s Board of Trustees, which arose out of the former chair’s involvement with a 2010 discipline case against Thomas Girardi. ADK investigated the matter and issued a final report to the State Bar, which made the findings public.

    Led multiple investigations on behalf of a Fortune 500 company concerning corporate governance and white collar matters.

    Led multiple investigations on behalf of a leading global financial services company concerning whistleblower claims, discrimination, retaliation, and executive malfeasance.

    Led multiple investigations on behalf of a global conglomerate in the beverage industry concerning allegations of racial discrimination, bullying, and abusive conduct in the workplace.

    Led an investigation on behalf of the City and County of San Diego concerning allegations of abuse, discrimination, and mismanagement by the executive director of a quasi-governmental entity responsible for the annual disbursement of tens of millions of dollars.

    Led multiple investigations on behalf of a world-renowned university concerning allegations of fraud, discrimination, sexual harassment, and hostile work environment.