Public and Corporate Legal Services

It's bound to happen: corporate officers receive indicators or accusations (often from whistleblowers) that employees are circumventing industry laws and regulations. When this happens, management has a duty to conduct an internal investigation to stop any illegal act and to take measures to prevent reoccurrence.  They must also decide whether to self-report a violation to the proper Federal or State authorities. There are many reasons why a corporation should retain experienced outside counsel to lead such an investigation. 

Our Maryland lawyers represent various local government entities in civil administration, including in the areas of public education law and local law enforcement matters.   Our attorneys proudly serve as outside counsel for the Talbot County Sheriff's Department - preparing legal analyses on behalf of sheriff's deputies accused of civil rights violations that are investigated by the Maryland Police Accountability Boards, and as counsel for the Somerset County Public Schools Board of Education.   

A solid code of ethics is essential to not only personal development and "the good life," but also to good governance in both the private and public sectors. Too often, however, corporate execs, government employees, and elected officials don't recognize that they are walking through an "ethical minefield" until a conundrum arises; one that requires a reasoned decision to avoid an ethical conflict or possibly crossing the line into criminality. Even common issues such as a conflict of interests can be misdiagnosed through a lack of understanding when such conflicts even arise in the first place.  If you or your organization is accused of an ethical violation, or want to avoid such accusations, the attorneys at Schifanelli Law, LLP are the go-to counsel for ethics opinions and defense.    

 We have in-depth and unique experience in representing clients who have been financially injured by the financial investment firms and advisors who are obligated to act as fiduciaries for their investors. We have successfully secured judgements against broker dealers such as Wells Fargo Advisors, Merrill Lynch, and other major firms for our clients. We have also successfully represented financial advisors in Baltimore, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago who have been wrongfully terminated by their broker dealer employers and defamed on their FINRA Form U-5.