Government Policy & Public Integrity

Facing intense public scrutiny, media attention and regulatory oversight, government entities, public officials and those doing business with the government must do more than simply comply with public integrity standards, applicable laws and regulations. They must command public respect and build trust by promoting integrity, transparency and fairness in all of their dealings. 

Unrivaled Experience
With decades of experience advising on government relations and ethical considerations, Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Government Policy and Public Integrity group provides government policy guidance and compliance counsel to public entities, officials and agency managers, as well as charities, nonprofits and private businesses, including those in regulated industries.

The team includes former prosecutors, government attorneys and regulatory officials who not only possess an insider’s perspective of regulatory and legal nuances, but have also earned the respect of government decision makers, enabling us to offer unrivaled representation and advice. 

Comprehensive Service 
As all levels of government adopt, reexamine and strengthen ethical and accountability standards, aggressively pursuing and prosecuting violators, our attorneys offer timely, comprehensive and strategic advice, training and solutions, helping instill public confidence in our clients’ decision-making processes and assuring legal and regulatory compliance. Our services include: 

• Establishing best practices and providing customized training programs for managers, staff and elected officials on their compliance efforts
• Developing ethics codes and sustainable ethics and compliance processes 
• Reviewing current policies, practices and procedures
• Advising on anti-fraud programs and controls 
• Detecting noncompliance, investigating alleged misconduct, assessing and managing ethical issues and compliance concerns 
• Assuring ethical business conduct and compliance with public integrity statutes, including the Political Reform Act, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act and Government Code 1090, and federal, state and local election laws 
• Representing clients before courts, government agencies and regulatory bodies, including the Fair Political Practices Commission, as well as asserting and defending their interests in government investigations, administrative hearings and litigation 
• Handling internal reviews, compliance audits and providing crisis management
• Reporting on significant statutory and regulatory developments
• Advising on government relations issues, gifts to public officials, lobbying and candidate support and finance, as well as conflicts of interest matters
• Monitoring corporate compliance with the terms of government settlements