Congressional Investigations
Unlike traditional litigation or executive branch inquiries, congressional investigations are driven as much by politics, media attention and public scrutiny as by legal considerations and proceed with few meaningful constraints. Congressional committees can issue subpoenas, compel testimony, demand extensive document production and hold public hearings with wide discretion, while subjects face limited procedural protections and shifting rules. These matters often extend beyond the U.S. Congress, creating regulatory and law enforcement exposure, affecting litigation and business objectives and placing executives under intense public scrutiny.
Holland & Knight's Congressional Investigations Team has established itself as one of the premier such practices in Washington, D.C. Our attorneys are deeply committed to protecting our clients' legal, policy and reputational interests and invest heavily to achieve the best possible outcome, regardless of the level of inquiry. We combine our market-leading litigation platform with the bipartisan relationships and institutional knowledge of our Public Policy & Regulation Group to deliver a coordinated strategy aimed at safeguarding clients in a wide range of industries.
Deep Congressional Investigations Experience
Holland & Knight represents Fortune 500 companies, private companies, tax-exempt organizations, senior executives and public figures in significant congressional investigations. Our lawyers have represented clients before nearly every major House of Representatives and Senate committee conducting congressional oversight and investigations. We help clients resolve inquiries efficiently, often narrowing the scope of requests, reducing compliance burdens and avoiding public hearings altogether Drawing on our deep understanding of congressional processes and integrated stakeholder, media and crisis management strategies, we provide exceptional legal judgment and representation throughout every stage of an investigation
Our team includes former members of Congress, senior committee staff from both chambers and both parties, seasoned litigators, white-collar defense attorneys and public policy professionals. Team members are individually recognized by Chambers USA for their work in congressional investigations. Our knowledge of the inner workings of Congress informs every stage of an inquiry – how committees operate, set priorities and approach oversight – allowing us to anticipate risks, identify opportunities and deliver strategies that account for legal, political and reputational considerations.
A Proven Approach
Preparation is critical to minimizing risk. Our work typically spans three areas:
Risk Assessment and Proactive Preparation. We work collaboratively with clients to identify vulnerabilities and anticipated areas of congressional interest before scrutiny begins, drawing on public sources, following congressional activity and developing a deep understanding of each client's business and risk profile. We then advise on likely lines of inquiry, response strategy and related public messaging. That preparation turns to response readiness: establishing an internal response team, developing an approach tailored to the client's circumstances, and providing hearing orientation and witness preparation for executives Tabletop exercises reinforce readiness, train internal teams and expose vulnerabilities early
Strategic Monitoring. Congressional scrutiny is often foreseeable. We actively monitor legislative, regulatory and political developments most likely to draw attention to a client's industry or operations, including committee priorities, oversight letters, hearing schedules, and statements from key members and staff to anticipate inquiries, adjust strategy and engage stakeholders early
Investigation Defense. When an investigation is underway, we negotiate with committee staff on the scope, timing and format of requests, manage document collection and production, draft written responses to committee inquiries, prepare witnesses for transcribed interviews and live testimony, and, throughout the investigation, advise clients on congressional subpoenas, compliance obligations and enforcement. We also handle privilege and responsiveness determinations, including asserting and protecting applicable legal privileges. Investigations unfold publicly, requiring coordination of legal strategy with communications and media preparation, particularly in parallel matters with agencies or litigation.
Our team has been quoted on congressional investigations by leading publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, Global Investigations Review, The American Lawyer, Politico, Roll Call, Bloomberg, Axios and Law360
Our Team
Representative team members include:
Tom Davis, former chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, co-leads Holland & Knight's Congressional Investigations Team and is one of Washington's most respected voices on congressional oversight.
Partner, Federal Government Affairs | Washington, D.C. | tom.davis@hklaw.com
Christopher Armstrong co-leads Holland & Knight's Congressional Investigations Team and is individually ranked by Chambers USA in Government Relations: Congressional Investigations. He is a former chief oversight counsel and general counsel for the Senate Committee on Finance and oversight counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means and co-chairs the American Bar Association's Legislative Process & Congressional Investigations Committee.
Partner, Regulatory | Washington, D.C. | christopher.armstrong@hklaw.com
Ashley Joyner Chavous has nearly 15 years of experience representing companies, institutions and individuals in government investigations and enforcement matters, with a focus on congressional investigations. She anticipates how committees build inquiries and defends clients across the legal, regulatory and reputational fronts. A former journalist, she integrates legal strategy with communications considerations in high-profile matters.
Partner, Litigation | Washington, D.C. | ashley.chavous@hklaw.com
Arya Hariharan brings more than a decade of experience leading congressional oversight and advising congressional leadership on high-profile investigations and political strategy. She is the former chief oversight counsel for the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and chief oversight counsel for the House Committee on the Judiciary, where she led investigations into technology, competition, public corruption, consumer protection and national security matters
Partner, Regulatory | Washington, D.C. | arya.hariharan@hklaw.com