Investigations and Crisis Management

Hecker Fink has extensive experience in all aspects of the investigations and crisis management process, including serving as compliance consultants and independent monitors, conducting internal investigations, developing internal and external communications strategies, advising on public disclosures, reviewing compliance structures to identify areas of risk, and revamping policies, procedures, practices, and cultures.

Hecker Fink advises clients on their most sensitive, high-profile investigations, from matters on the front page to those that remain confidential. In every matter, we deploy a team custom designed and sized for the tasks at hand and adjust our approach as each investigation progresses. The firm is ranked by Chambers as a Band 1 specialist firm for White-Collar Crime and Government Investigations, as well as a Band 1 highly regarded firm for Corporate Crime & Investigations. One source remarked, “The team are responsive, at the top of their game and truly a force to be reckoned with.” Another source shared that our team “is incredibly easy to work with. They are really adept at dealing with investigations.”

Sean Hecker was named “White Collar Crime/Investigations Litigator of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation for the second time in 2025. Chambers further recognizes Sean, as well as Shawn Crowley, Jenna Dabbs, Mike Ferrara, David Gopstein, Amy Jeffress, Marshall Miller, and David Patton, as top lawyers in Government Investigations. In addition, Global Investigations Review named Kate Doniger to its 2025 “Women in Investigations” list. The return of partner Marshall Miller from his leadership role at the Department of Justice further enhances the firm’s prowess at investigations and crisis management.

Representative Monitorships, Investigations, and Crisis Management Matters

• Representation of three financial institutions and a global credit rating agency to serve as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-approved independent compliance consultant in connection with a resolution regarding the institutions’ failure to maintain and preserve all communications in violation of federal securities laws.
• Representation of a large museum in an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct and a review of its anti-harassment policies, leading organization-wide adoption of our recommendations.
• Representation of a company in connection with federal and state criminal investigations relating to invoicing practices. The U.S. Attorney’s Office responsible for the federal investigation agreed to close its investigation without bringing any charges.
• Representation of a multinational consumer products company in an internal investigation regarding allegations of procurement and expense abuse fraud.
• Representation of an oil and gas trader in connection with an internal investigation and potential U.S. civil and criminal enforcement actions relating to certain energy trading at an energy technology company.
• Representation of a large media company in connection with advice on development and implementation of human resource policies to help ensure a fair and unbiased workplace.
• Representation of an Ivy League University in connection with multiple internal investigations and advice on public and high-profile Title VII and Title IX issues.
• Representation of the Board of a Fortune 500 company in connection with an internal investigation into possible unauthorized disclosures to the media.
• Representation of a Fortune 100 company in connection with internal investigations into possible trading irregularities and personnel issues.
• Representation of a biopharmaceutical company in connection with an independent review of events leading up to the company’s missed earnings and presented findings to the company’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Representation of an international law firm in connection with an internal investigation into claims of age discrimination by one of the firm’s attorneys.
• Representation of a prestigious research institution in connection with an investigation into allegations of gender-based misconduct by a faculty member.
• Representation of the organization that governs and regulates college sports in the U.S. in connection with a comprehensive and thorough external review of gender equity issues focusing on its Division I championships.
• Representation of a large foreign multinational investment bank, in connection with the bank’s compliance with a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, and in a variety of anti-corruption matters.
• Representation of a Special Working Group of the Board of Directors of a large U.S. financial institution to review and conduct an investigation of shareholder demands and potential derivative claims relating to sales practices, internal controls, and market disclosures.