ATI In-House Insights: Navigating Internal Investigations: A Conversation with Mike Gill

Welcome to the Hughes Hubbard Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Practice Group’s podcast, All Things Investigation. This is a special series featuring sights from in-house practitioners, hosted by Mike DeBernardis. In this podcast, Mike D visits with Mike Gill, Assistant GC and Director of Investigations at HII, on conducting internal investigations from an in-house perspective in a defense shipbuilding environment. Gill says the first concern when allegations arise is immediate safety risk to employees and the integrity of work affecting Navy and other military customers, followed by designing an investigation that will be viewed as timely, accurate, and credible. He emphasizes scoping, planning, selecting the right team (including technical experts and, sometimes, outside counsel), and establishing disciplined communication and reporting lines to management and customers while protecting privilege. Gill highlights building employee trust through fair processes, enforcement of anti-retaliation policies, and appropriate follow-up, and notes common mistakes: jumping to conclusions, failing to bound scope, and inadequate planning. Key highlights: Safety First Priorities Architecting the Investigation Scope Planning and Team Protecting Privilege Culture and Fairness Anti-Retaliation Trust Top Mistakes to Avoid Resources: Hughes Hubbard & Reed website Mike DeBernardis Mike Gill on LinkedIn