Government Contractors Forum: Preparing for the Unexpected - Ten Tips to Prepare In-House Government Contracts Counsel for Government Investigators’ Unannounced Knock on the Corporate Door

The unexpected visit from government investigators kicking off a civil or criminal investigation -- including investigations under the False Claims Act --- can keep in-house counsel up at night. This is especially true in the heavily regulated government contracting industry, where new and evolving regulations can make compliance an ongoing challenge for even the most ethical companies. Any government visit will be unannounced, and can have devastating effects on production, reputation and morale of a company. And that visit is certainly going to prompt attention and concern at the most senior levels of the C-suite. This means in-house counsel need to be on their toes more than ever.

This panel will offer a proactive and practical approach, by presenting some relatively simple suggestions for how in-house lawyers can prepare their companies for government visits and generally reduce risk as well as exposure before the government investigators come knocking. We will share insights regarding what government contractors have done – and, more importantly, what government contractors could have done – to minimize risk and contain the damage such encounters can cause.

The panel will cover topics including DOJ’s Yates Memorandum and how it can be used to help prepare and train your company, the pros and cons of paying for representation of company officials in a government investigation, corporate cooperation with government investigations, and when a corporation needs to conduct internal investigations.

Presenters: 

• Roscoe Howard, Jr., Partner, Barnes & Thornburg
• Dr. Brett Baker, Deputy IG for Audit, Department of Defense OIG
• Marc Nichols, Legal Counsel & Director of Compliance - Americas, Rolls Royce North America

When: Thursday, July 14

Time: 12:30 - 2 p.m. (Eastern)

Location: Webinar

1.5 hours of Virginia MCLE credits pending

You may attend as guest of Barnes & Thornburg; select Guest of Presenter option.