Employee Concern Resolution and Whistleblower Defense

To help clients avoid “whistleblower” retaliation lawsuits, Conner & Winters attorneys develop training programs and corporate policies geared toward effective resolution of employee concerns about corporate practices.  We have also successfully represented corporate clients and managers in scores of whistleblower lawsuits.

Developing effective concern resolution programs

Our attorneys design and assist in implementing ombudsman and Employee Concerns Programs, which provide employees an internal avenue for expressing concerns.  Our work for the energy industry in this field is nationwide and includes representation of the nation’s largest nuclear power producers.  In addition, we are well-versed in business tools used to build workplace cultures where employees feel free to report concerns and do not fear reprisal.  Our attorneys are well-known for their work in helping clients foster effective Safety Cultures and Safety Conscious Work Environments.  We have a long-standing affiliation with the National Association of Employee Concerns Professionals.

Defending against litigation

Conner & Winters lawyers have extensive experience defending against corporate whistleblower retaliation claims.  Our attorneys regularly appear in state and federal courts to defend against claims by employees that they were terminated or discriminated against because they "blew the whistle" on corporate wrongdoing.  We have litigated many whistleblower claims in the special forum set up by the U.S. Department of Labor under the federal whistleblower statutes.  We handle cases at all stages of the Department of Labor process — including preliminary investigations by OSHA, mediations, trials before Administrative Law Judges, and appeals to the Department of Labor's Administrative Review Board.  Our lawyers represent corporate clients in appeals to federal appellate courts of Department of Labor determinations in whistleblower cases.

Our clients in these cases include major aviation and nuclear energy companies.  In addition, we have represented clients in cases under federal environmental whistleblower protection laws. 

Addressing Sarbanes-Oxley employee issues

Our attorneys are well-versed in the defense of Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower cases involving allegations of corporate fraud and violations of federal financial rules and regulations. We have represented a diverse array of employers in these so-called SOX cases, including nationwide insurers, manufacturers, and service companies.  We have worked with Fortune 500 companies to design policies that comply with the requirement of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that audit committees of publicly traded corporations establish anonymous concern reporting processes.  Our attorneys have written several articles on Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower issues.

Our newsletter — Corporate Whistleblower News

Conner & Winters publishes a complimentary bi-monthly newsletter of interest to management and corporate counsel on developments under the federal whistleblower laws. The current issue is available online.