Crisis Management

Overview

When businesses, governments, and organizations encounter crises that threaten their well-being, Hall Booth Smith’s Crisis Management Strategic Team is essential for averting disaster and protecting the enterprise.

Our team works alongside executives, in-house counsel, boards of directors, public relations professionals, marketing and sales staff, elected officials, government leaders, and other key stakeholders to help them manage and navigate crises as they unfold. With 24/7 accessibility and responsiveness, our highly skilled team is led by seasoned professionals with government, military, corporate, and communications experience to handle any crisis situation.

We work with each client to understand the facts and circumstances of the crisis and develop a strategic plan with proactive actions to minimize legal risk, financial exposure, and reputational damage. We also help clients develop communications and public relations strategies that protect their image as we work to defend their legal rights.

HBS attorneys have extensive experience in handling crises including active shooter and workplace violence, data breaches and cybersecurity events, trucking and other transportation accidents, coronavirus matters, opioid and prescription drug complaints, employee disputes and rogue actions, and class action litigation.

We also represent clients in government investigations, regulatory actions, office raids, corporate criminal and white collar crimes, and inquiries by the U.S. Department of Justice, Offices of the Inspector General (OIG), Government Accountability Office (GAO), Federal Election Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and many other federal, state, and local governments or agencies.

Preventing a Crisis from Turning Into a Disaster

An immediate and thoughtful response guided by strategic, knowledgeable legal counsel can stop a crisis from becoming a disaster that threatens the enterprise. Our attorneys have extensive experience in crisis response and helping clients of all sizes and across numerous industries minimize legal, financial, and reputational damage as they mitigate the impact and begin developing an initial defense strategy if litigation should occur.

Managing a Crisis Before It Happens

Strategic planning ahead of time is a critical part of crisis management and preparedness. HBS works closely with management teams and decision makers to understand possible threats and areas of exposure so we can develop comprehensive and holistic plans for addressing issues as they arise.

Our planning includes best practices, policies and procedures for risk avoidance, immediate crisis response, communications plans, reaction and reputation monitoring, and real-time support as the crisis evolves.

HBS also conducts audits and reviews of existing crisis plans to identify gaps, blind spots and potential pitfalls. We work with clients to revise and update crisis plans so that they meet the changing needs of the business, as well as outside forces such as political pressures and social movements that may present new challenges to the organization.

Our Crisis Experience

HBS’ Crisis Management team has guided clients through a wide range of events that have disrupted business and threatened the safety of employees, customers, and other stakeholders including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, workplace violence, social unrest and protests, the COVID and opioid pandemics, the H1N1 swine influenza pandemic, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and many other dangerous situations.

Our team acts immediately and decisively to develop effective strategies for navigating crisis situations and de-escalating threats as they unfold. We assist with disaster recovery and ensuring that employees and others who have been impacted by the crisis are safe. We also coordinate with and negotiate with federal, state, and local authorities, including law enforcement.

We work with clients every step of the way through managing the crisis, including internal and external investigations, government relations, public relations, and communications. We represent clients in criminal and civil litigation including complex class action and multi-district litigation as well as the post-judgment appeals process.

Hall Booth Smith is a trusted advisor for Crisis Management and recovery.