California Government Investigations and Subpoena Compliance Lawyers

I received a subpoena from a government agency (agent). What should I do?

Subpoenas may be administrative (i.e., issued by a government agency), court-issued, or ordered by a grand jury. There are numerous reasons both personally and professionally why you may receive a subpoena or information request from a government agency to provide certain information or produce documents. The implications of not responding to a subpoena or improperly replying are significant.

Navigating subpoena compliance can be stressful and complicated. If you receive a subpoena from a government agency, it is likely related to an active investigation. Government agencies are not required to provide you with any information about the ongoing investigation or the precise reason for the request.

One of the first steps to take before responding to a subpoena or information request from a government agency is to contact an attorney experienced in representing clients in government investigations. Your attorney should first verify the subpoena or information request’s authenticity and that it was in fact issued by the stated agency.

Then, your attorney should verify that the government agency complied with all relevant procedural requirements in issuing the subpoena or information request. It is also important to ensure that you respond properly both to ensure compliance with the subpoena and protect your own interests by not disclosing more than what is required.

We can help you

If you or your organization has been contacted for questioning by a government agency or received a subpoena or information request from a government agency, the first step you should take is to contact an attorney skilled and experienced in handling such matters.

As former federal prosecutors with significant private-sector and law-enforcement experience, our attorneys know how to help you respond efficiently and effectively.  Put simply, they don’t have to guess about how the government thinks when it is conducting an investigation.  We are deeply familiar with procedures and tactics used by government agencies and are poised to help you navigate these matters to ensure your compliance and protect your legal interests.

Our team of San Francisco-based attorneys is committed to helping our clients meet all of their obligations under such subpoenas in a practical and cost-effective manner. We know how to engage with government lawyers and investigators about reasonably limiting the scope of the subpoena. We also understand that we cannot counsel our clients in such situations without fully understanding their interests and business, and we always develop and adapt our strategy with those interests in mind.