Investigations

LCW’s investigators are experienced in working with large and small employers in a variety of industries, including public, private and non-profit entities.  Our investigators have an in-depth understanding of the multitude of operational issues, organizational structures, leadership and governance issues, workplace cultures, and interpersonal dynamics; this understanding is extremely valuable at various stages of the investigative process and to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence and making factual determinations.  Our investigators understand the importance of promptly and sensitively conducting investigations, minimizing the impact on day-to-day operations, and providing a report that can be relied upon in making operational and personnel decisions and in any related litigation.

 Our Investigation Expertise:

•  Harassment: Hostile environment & Quid Pro Quo
• Discrimination
• Retaliation
• Code of Conduct & Policy Violations
• Other Employee misconduct
• Ethics violations
• Whistle-blowing
• Financial improprieties

LCW's Investigators have significant experience working with cities, counties, and special districts.  Our investigators understand the day-to-day operations of all types of public entities and are very experienced in the array of operational and personnel issues public employers deal with.  Our investigators are all well-versed in public agency employment laws, personnel policies, disciplinary proceedings and appeal hearings, and advising governing boards.  Our investigators have conducted sensitive and high-profile investigations for public entities including investigations of involving high-ranking public officials.

We are state-wide experts in the laws governing workplace investigations of peace officers and firefighters.  We literally "wrote the book," having authored the CPER Pocket Guides on the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act (POBR) and the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act (FBOR). Our appellate victories have helped shaped the way that public safety agencies conduct day-to-day labor and employment relations. The firm publishes its own monthly newsletters with news involving police and fire employment legal issues called the Briefing Room and Fire Watch, respectively. We have also authored our own reference guide, “Principles of Public Safety Employment.” Members of the firm also frequently train police departments in their employment matters.

Our Public Safety Investigations Expertise:

• Use of force
• Dishonesty
• Conduct unbecoming
• Other Code of Conduct & Policy Violations
• Other Employee misconduct
• Harassment: Hostile environment & Quid Pro Quo
• Discrimination
• Retaliation
• PBOR/FBOR
• Internal Affairs investigations

In addition to our investigation services, LCW can provide an in-depth review of Internal Affairs investigation procedures and create customized trainings for your law enforcement agency.

LCW's Investigators have significant experience working with all types of educational institutions, including public and private K-12 and post-secondary colleges and universities.  We conduct both employment-based workplace investigations and student-based misconduct investigations, including Title IX investigations.  Our investigators are experienced and well-versed in operations and educational issues across the different types of educational institutions and understand the importance of the distinct culture at each.  We also have in-depth knowledge of the more complex employment laws governing public educational institutions. 

Our Public and Private Colleges, Universities, and K-12 Investigations Expertise:

•  Harassment: Hostile environment & Quid Pro Quo
• Discrimination
• Retaliation
• Title IX Investigations Sexual misconduct allegations (including dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking)
• Code of Conduct & Policy Violations
• Academic Policy Violations
• California & Federal statutes and regulations concerning student rights and responsibilities

LCW conducts over 800 trainings a year on the full range of employment and student issues.  We conduct training on investigations, teaching internal investigators how to conduct investigations and what to be aware of when selecting an outside investigator and monitoring the investigation.  Importantly, our Training Academy for Workplace Investigators provides training to internal trainers in compliance with the Department of Fair Employment & Housing (DFEH) Harassment Guide.  We have provided investigations training to hundreds of human resources personnel, managers and supervisors.  For more information about our onsite training, please contact Anna Sanzone-Ortiz at 310.981.2051 or asanzone-ortiz@lcwlegal.com.  

LCW’s investigators are experienced in working with private companies, large and small, in a variety of industries, as well as non-profits.  Our investigators have an in-depth understanding of the multitude of operational issues, organizational structures, leadership and governance issues, workplace cultures, and interpersonal dynamics; this understanding is extremely valuable at various stages of the investigative process and to assist in gathering and analyzing evidence and making factual determinations.  Our investigators understand the importance of promptly and sensitively conducting investigations, minimizing the impact on day-to-day operations, and providing a report the company or non-profit can rely on in making operational and personnel decisions and in any related litigation.

Our Investigations Practice Team is comprised of attorneys with experience and skill in conducting interviews, establishing rapport with witnesses,  making credibility assessments, factual analyses, evidence gathering, and report writing: skills that are necessary to conduct accurate, effective and defensible investigations. Our investigators have interviewed hundreds of witnesses, complainants, and respondents. Many of our investigators have been specially trained in areas that require special knowledge such as interviewing minors or sworn peace officer rights under the Peace Officers Bill of Rights (POBR).  Several of our investigators are also experienced litigators who know the significance of an investigation report in preparing for civil litigation. We also have certified Level III ATIXA Civil Rights investigators who regularly assist educational institutions with both on and off campus investigations.

When required to testify at deposition, hearing or trial, our neutral and unbiased approach to investigations ensures that our investigators can be credible witnesses.  LCW understands that your institution’s interests will be served and protected through a comprehensive and properly documented investigation. Our practices enhance your institution’s chances of prevailing if litigation arises.

We handle investigations of employment and personnel issues including employee misconduct, hostile environment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics violations, whistle-blowing, financial improprieties, and discipline-related issues. We have investigated alleged wrongdoing on the part of employees, board members, and high-ranking officials.  We have extensive expertise in dealing with both cooperative and combative witnesses.  We often work with computer and other forensic experts in the gathering and analysis of evidence.

When the Firm oversees an investigation by someone else, we work closely with the internal investigator and provide support in preparing for witness interviews, conducting witness interviews, gathering documents and evaluating the evidence so the investigation is effective, uncovers the information needed, meets legal obligations, and  better positioned to withstand legal scrutiny.

LCW investigators conduct prompt and appropriate investigations of on- and off-campus sexual assaults and harassment to help ensure your institution meets the U.S. Department of Education’s expectations.  Our investigators are experienced at working concurrently with local law enforcement in meeting investigation obligations.

Our investigators are also attorneys who regularly advise educational institutions in drafting and updating sexual misconduct policies and training Title IX Coordinators and other members of the campus community.  Our attorneys also represent educational institutions in responding to complaints filed with the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights alleging harassment and discrimination.  We are also thoroughly familiar with the overlapping requirements of these and related laws including the Education Code, Campus SaVE, Clery, and FERPA.

We regularly conduct investigations of student issues including allegations of code of conduct or academic policies violations. We are familiar with California and Federal statutes and regulations concerning student rights and responsibilities.  We investigate sexual misconduct allegations involving students including cases of dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking and claims by students of bias and discrimination.  Our investigations include on- and off-campus incidents, including those that occur during internships or clinical assignments.

In addition to conducting investigations, we also teach others through workshops, publications, and workbooks. We regularly present workshops to investigators on how to conduct effective and defensible investigations. We can also train your in-house staff on how to effectively conduct their own investigations. 

Our Investigations Practice Team is comprised of attorneys with experience and skill in interviews, rapport with witnesses, credibility assessments, factual analyses, evidence gathering, and report writing: skills that are necessary to conduct accurate, effective and defensible investigations. Our investigators have interviewed hundreds of witnesses, complainants, and respondents. Many of our investigators have been specially trained in areas that require special knowledge such as interviewing minors or sworn peace officer rights under the Peace Officers Bill of Rights (POBR).  Several of our investigators are also experienced litigators who know the significance of an investigation report in preparing for civil litigation. We also have certified Level III ATIXA Civil Rights investigators who regularly assist educational institutions with both on and off campus investigations.

When required to testify at deposition, hearing or trial, our neutral and unbiased approach to investigations ensures that our investigators can be credible witnesses.  LCW understands that your institution’s interests will be served and protected through a comprehensive and properly documented investigation. Our practices enhance your institution’s chances of prevailing if litigation arises.

We handle investigations of employment and personnel issues including employee misconduct, hostile environment, discrimination, retaliation, ethics violations, whistle-blowing, financial improprieties, and discipline-related issues. We have investigated alleged wrongdoing on the part of employees, board members and high-ranking officials.  We have extensive expertise in dealing with both cooperative and combative witnesses.  We often work with computer and other forensic experts in the gathering and analysis of evidence.

When the Firm oversees an investigation by someone else, we work closely with the internal investigator and provide support in preparing for witness interviews, conducting witness interviews, gathering documents and evaluating the evidence so the investigation is effective, uncovers the information needed, meets legal obligations, and better positioned to withstand legal scrutiny.

In addition to conducting investigations, we also teach others through workshops, publications, and workbooks. We regularly present workshops to investigators on how to conduct effective and defensible investigations. We can also train your in-house staff on how to effectively conduct their own investigations.