Investigations

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 organization’s interests will be served and protected through a comprehensive and properly documented investigation.  

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.

We are state-wide experts in the laws regulating investigations involving 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 labor and employment relations on a daily basis. The firm publishes its own monthly newsletter with news involving police employment legal issues called the Briefing Room. 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.

We conduct internal affairs investigations on a broad range of allegations, including the use of force, dishonesty, conduct unbecoming, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.  Members of our Investigation Practices Team who conduct public safety investigations are well- versed in the POBR and FOBR’s rules governing interrogations, including statutes providing for the required admonitions before interrogating subjects about allegations that could lead to criminal prosecution. A strong investigation report will support your institution’s position in the event of an appeal and make it more likely that your institution will prevail. In addition to our investigation services, LCW can provide an in-depth review of Internal Affairs investigation procedures, and create customized trainings for your institution.

LCW investigators conduct prompt and appropriate investigations of on- and off-campus sexual assaults and harassment to help ensure your organization 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 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.