ABA Sound Advice: Conducting Civil Rights Audits: Benefits and Best Practices

Presented by the Class Actions Subcommittee, ABA Securities Litigation Committee

Two former AUSAs with Carlton Fields discuss the role of outside counsel in a civil rights audits, also known as a corporate culture review. Class Action Subcommittee Co-Chair Jack Clabby talks with his colleague, Simon Gaugush, a former Civil Rights Coordinator for the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. What is a civil rights audit or corporate culture review, and why might a company conduct such an audit? Who should conduct these reviews and how are outside counsel being retained? What are the possible implications, and what should a company do after the audit? Jack and Simon discuss best practices for taking an introspective look at policies, practices, and services with transparency and accountability.