Public Entities

At Van Dermyden Makus, our attorneys have handled hundreds of high-profile and sensitive investigations on behalf of public entities. Public entity investigations trigger unique issues, such as constitutional protections for employees and elected officials and special rights for public safety officers and fire fighters, among others. Our attorney investigators are well-versed in all these issues, having handled investigations involving elected officials, administrative officers, school superintendents, directors, teachers, students, citizens, and more.

Our attorneys have worked with a wide spectrum of public agencies at the state and local level, including state departments, municipalities, counties, school districts, public schools and universities, water and air quality districts, and public safety departments, to name a few. 

Our expertise includes investigating allegations of:

  • Bullying and abusive conduct

  • Hostile work environment

  • Harassment

  • Implicit bias

  • Conflicts of interest

  • Ethics violations

  • Discrimination

  • Retaliation

  • Substance abuse

  • Fraud

  • Financial misappropriation

  • Social media policy compliance

How We Work

 

We always prioritize timeliness, privacy, and confidentiality. This helps minimize the damaging effects of workplace complaints and restores employee morale and productivity as soon as possible.

Our tailored investigations meet your needs while maintaining objectivity. A typical investigation consists of:

  1. Reviewing all relevant documentation and physical evidence.

  2. Conducting thorough witness interviews.

  3. Providing regular updates to client stakeholders regarding the progress of the investigation.

  4. Preparing a final investigative report designed to give the employer an effective tool with which to make informed employment decisions.