As a CEO, any misconduct by your employees can make you a target of government action. Public companies and companies that are in heavily regulated industries are at much higher risk for government scrutiny. If you discover that misconduct has occurred, it is critical that you take quick action and assess the situation by conducting an internal investigation. Through an internal investigation you can discover the full extent of any misconduct or criminal activity, as well as discover where you or other C-suite level individuals in your company may be liable.

Conducting an internal investigation can be a daunting task. Investigations must be handled carefully and require technical expertise. Though you can handle an internal investigation on your own, hiring outside counsel is recommended. An investigation conducted by outside counsel will have the right resources and personnel to be handled effectively and efficiently. It is also much easier to cloak an investigation in privilege when you hire outside counsel.