PA 01 · Practice area
Federal investigations
An agent called, a letter arrived, or colleagues are being interviewed. The weeks before any charge are when counsel can do the most.
Most of our work starts here, before anyone has been charged. People call us after an agent leaves a card, after a coworker mentions an interview, or after their bank tells them it received a subpoena. Our job in those first weeks is to learn where you stand, stop the damage, and give you the best chance that charges are never filed.
Usually for
Executives, business owners, licensed professionals and public employees who have learned they may be part of a federal inquiry.
You are reading: Is this you?
Is this you?
It may be time to call if…
- An FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, HHS-OIG or other federal agent called you or came to your home or office.
- A colleague or former business partner says agents asked questions about you.
- Your bank, accountant or a former employer received a subpoena for records that involve you.
- Your employer has hired outside lawyers and wants to interview you.
- You received a target or subject letter from a federal prosecutor.
Where this sits in a federal case
Where this work usually happens.
Marked on the rail: investigation; target letter; and grand jury. Select any stage to read what it means in our plain-language guide.
What we do
Five things, in roughly this order.
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1
Learn your status
We call the prosecutor so you do not have to, and find out whether you are seen as a witness, a subject or a target, and which agency is involved.
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2
Stop the damage
All contact goes through us. No more hallway conversations with agents, no calls to other witnesses about the facts, and a firm hold on every document and device.
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3
Build the record early
We collect your documents, interview witnesses with our investigator, and retain forensic accountants or examiners under privilege.
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4
Make the case when it helps
Sometimes a meeting or a written presentation explains why charges are not warranted. Sometimes silence is the stronger choice. We tell you which, and why.
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5
Prepare for every path
A closed inquiry, a negotiated resolution before charges, or a case ready for trial. We plan for all three from the first week.
This week
What to do, and what to leave alone.
Do
- Write down who contacted you, when, and what they asked, then stop there.
- Keep every document, message and device exactly as it is.
- Send all government contact to your lawyer, politely.
- Tell close family only what they need to know.
Avoid
- Talking with agents just to clear things up.
- Calling coworkers or partners to compare memories.
- Deleting files, messages or apps, even ones that seem unrelated.
- Posting about the investigation anywhere.
General information, not legal advice for your situation. Speak with a lawyer before acting.
A software sales executive learns agents interviewed two former colleagues
Favorable
- Situation
- Agents had interviewed two of his former colleagues about a government contract. He had not been contacted and did not know his status.
- What we did
- We confirmed with the prosecutor that he was a subject, collected his records, and made a written presentation about the contract approvals he had relied on.
- How it ended
- The government closed its inquiry into him without charges. Others in the same investigation were charged.
An illustration with details changed and no names, courts or cases. Every matter turns on its own facts; past results do not guarantee any outcome. See all example matters, including ones that went against us.
Questions
What people ask us first.
An agent only wants to ask a few questions. Is that a problem?
Agents are trained interviewers, and a short conversation can become evidence. Lying to a federal agent is a separate crime even when nothing else is charged. It is almost always wiser to say you would like your lawyer to arrange any interview, then call one.
Will hiring a lawyer make me look guilty?
No. Prosecutors deal with defense lawyers every day and expect people with something at stake to have one. Having counsel often makes communication clearer for both sides.
How long do federal investigations take?
They can last a few months or several years. Long silences are common and do not always mean the matter is closed. Part of our work is finding out where things actually stand.
Confidential consultation
Talk to us about investigations.
A short, confidential call is often enough to learn where you stand and what to leave alone this week. Do not send details through the form; we will cover them by phone.
Please do not send case details through any website form or by email. We cover them by phone or in person, under privilege.
Consultation line: 7 days, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. If a search or an arrest is happening now, call at any hour.