Congressional Investigations
With a robust Beltway presence and decades of government experience, O’Melveny helps clients navigate complex congressional oversight inquiries and related investigations.
“The firm has an impeccable reputation, which is particularly helpful in government investigations work, and they have very smart, intelligent people working there.”
—Client Testimonial, Chambers USA
With a robust Beltway presence and decades of government experience, O’Melveny helps clients navigate complex congressional oversight inquiries and related investigations.
“The firm has an impeccable reputation, which is particularly helpful in government investigations work, and they have very smart, intelligent people working there.”
—Client Testimonial, Chambers USA
O’Melveny’s Congressional Investigations team is a trusted ally to companies, organizations and individuals responding to congressional requests and subpoenas, facing ethics inquiries and related criminal investigations, and preparing for testimony at congressional oversight hearings.
Our clients benefit from a team of talented lawyers with decades of government experience and a creative, strategic approach to congressional investigations—lawyers who are equally well equipped to help clients manage public relations, political strategy, and collateral litigation. We routinely handle complex, high-profile matters that include nationally televised hearings, witness interviews, and document productions for investigations by House and Senate committees. With experience that extends well beyond Congress, we also represent corporations, audit committees, individual officers and directors, and others in internal, SEC, DOJ, and state attorney-general investigations and parallel civil litigation.
Our team is led by former congressional investigators with extensive experience managing complex, congressional inquiries and high-stakes oversight matters, as well as career defense attorneys with extensive experience battling these unique investigations. Lee Blalack II, former Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the U.S. Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, brings deep insight into congressional investigative processes and committee strategy. Kevin Barstow has held senior advisory, investigative, and oversight roles across the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the Executive Branch, including the White House, where he managed hundreds of congressional oversight matters, prepared Cabinet and other senior officials for hearings and testimony, and led teams through politically charged, high-profile investigations. Amanda Santella has built a career at O’Melveny defending clients facing House and Senate oversight inquiries, from responding to oversight requests to preparing executives to testify at public hearings.
Regents of the University of California
The Regents of the University of California in an ongoing congressional investigation conducted by the House Education and Workforce Committee into allegations of antisemitism on multiple UC campuses, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSF. As part of this representation, we prepared UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons and former UCLA Chancellor Gene Block to testify before the Committee in live televised hearings.
Major U.S. Airline
Leading global airline in an investigation by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding airline ancillary fees, including fees for baggage, seat selection, ticket changes, and other services. As part of this representation, we prepared United Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella to testify before the Subcommittee in a live televised hearing.
Humana
Insurance provider Humana in inquiries by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and House Ways and Means Committee into Humana’s processes for approving or denying services and treatment for Medicare Advantage enrollees.
58th Presidential Inaugural Committee
The 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee, as well as Tom Barrack and Sara Armstrong in their capacity as officers of the committee, in response to multiple inquiries from the House and Senate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, and various state attorneys general concerning the governance, financing, and expenditures of the committee.
Former Counsel to the Vice President
Prepared the former Counsel to the Vice President to testify before the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Planned Parenthood Federation of America in four simultaneous congressional investigations concerning allegations related to the facilitation of fetal tissue donation. The investigations included a nationally televised hearing at which CEO Cecile Richards testified, as well as witness interviews and document productions to five different House and Senate committees.
Harvard University and Harvard Medical School
Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, respectively, in a House investigation of a molecular-target laboratory contract awarded by the National Cancer Institute and a Senate Finance Committee investigation of corporate sponsorship of medical research.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company in four separate House and Senate investigations related to the Firestone tire recall that culminated in two nationally televised hearings at which CEO Jacques Nasser testified before House and Senate committees.
Major Media Company
Major media company in responding to multiple inquiries from House and Senate committees related to the company’s business operations and interactions with government stakeholders.
Former FBI Director
The former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigations by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concerning FBI investigations into the 2016 presidential campaigns and Russian interference.*
Global Retailer
A global retailer before the House Energy and Commerce Committee concerning allegations of foreign corruption.*
International Bank
An international banking institution before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations concerning money laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance.*
Social Media Company
The Assistant General Counsel of a major social media platform before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee concerning allegations of censorship.*
*Representation handled by a current partner prior to joining O’Melveny.
“The team has deep knowledge of US government capacities and regulations.”
—Client Testimonial, Chambers USA
“The firm has an impeccable reputation, which is particularly helpful in government investigations work, and they have very smart, intelligent people working there.”
—Client Testimonial, Chambers USA