Congressional Investigations

Mayer Brown has a long history of representing clients in high-profile congressional investigations. These investigations can present significant reputational risks to companies and individuals, lead to further civil litigation and even criminal prosecutions, and, ultimately, trigger adverse legislative and regulatory outcomes. Recognizing the unique nature of congressional investigations, we staff these matters with experienced lawyers and other professionals who know how to manage the legal, political, regulatory, and media aspects of a congressional investigation, which can differ substantially from other types of litigation and government inquiries.

Our practice regularly advises clients on their most challenging and important investigations matters. These representations before numerous congressional committees and subcommittees include major matters for financial services and banking clients; significant recalls and consumer safety issues in the automotive, chemical and medical device industries; and major national spotlight matters from the stalled rollout of Healthcare.gov to the 2013 Navy Yard shooting to advising multiple All-Stars in the Major League Baseball steroids investigation. When matters garner national attention and media scrutiny—and the stakes are highest, clients turn to our deep, highly respected practice.

We have significant experience preparing witnesses for congressional hearings (including conducting “murder board” preparatory sessions), responding to congressional subpoenas and document requests, and navigating the political and legal complexities arising from any parallel litigation or criminal and regulatory investigations.

Additional experience includes:

• Represented several clients in responding to subpoenas issued by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding subcommittee inquiries into money laundering, politically exposed persons, foreign corruption and offshore tax evasion.
• Represented a distributor of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in a House Energy and Commerce Committee Investigation.
• Represented another PPE manufacturer and distributor across a number of different congressional oversight investigations in the House and Senate.
• Represented a global technology company in connection with inquiries by the Senate and House Intelligence Committees.
• Represented a major automaker in connection with a congressional inquiry into cybersecurity issues.
• Represented an e-cigarette maker in connection with potential testimony before House Energy and Commerce Committee.
• Represented a mobile payments company that was the subject of a Senate Commerce Committee investigation.
• Represented a global food company in connection with an investigation by the House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
• Represented the founder and CEO of private equity firm as a witness in congressional investigation.
• Represented one of the government contractors responsible for the design and creation of the Affordable Care Act web site in connection with the congressional investigation into the site’s stalled launch.
• Represented a large industrial manufacturer of nuclear power facilities in connection with regulatory and congressional inquiries in the wake of issues at the plant in Fukushima, Japan, and the closing of the Vermont Yankee plant in Vernon, Vermont.