Jones Day advises clients around the world on the design, implementation, and operation of compliance and business ethics programs. Today, business organizations of every type need these programs to detect, prevent, and remedy violations of law, regulations, and organization policies, and to demonstrate their commitment to ethical business practices. Creating and maintaining these programs is challenging for every company, from the single product manufacturer to complex global institutions. The constant evolution of business regulation and cultural expectations can be puzzling even for the most pro-active companies. Companies doing business in different regions of the world face additional complexity when operating programs in locations where cultural norms vary widely from those most familiar to senior managers and board overseers.
We help our clients develop core compliance principles and adapt ethical practices to meet these challenges.
Effective Compliance Programs
Virtually every business organization aspires to develop and maintain an effective compliance and ethics program. Frequently, programs evolve in reaction to the latest legal or ethical problem confronting the organization or its peers. Reactive program development, however, results in patchwork programs that deal with yesterday's problems and do not address compliance risks confronting the company based on its current practices and future plans.
We assist our clients in developing strategic approaches to the design of robust compliance and ethics programs that reflect the organization's business goals, strategies, and operations, and the desired organizational compliance culture. Of course, the program must also incorporate the legal environment in which our clients operate and will operate in the future. We believe that the design of an effective compliance program begins with a comprehensive assessment of the company's environment including: organizational culture; key business strategies and practices; legal entity structure; applicable laws, regulations, and business policies; and resources available to implement and manage the program.
Based on our analysis, we provide recommendations regarding specific policies and controls as well as on-going program management practices to fill in the gaps, improve existing practices, and secure continuing compliance. The Firm also can assist clients in the implementation process, including obtaining board approval and structuring oversight, regulatory approval, workers' council approvals, meetings with unions, and the like. Once a program is rolled out, we frequently undertake, or assist companies in conducting, targeted or wide-ranging compliance effectiveness audits and reviews.
Related Counseling Services
The Firm regularly counsels clients regarding best practices, bench-marking, and compliance and ethics due diligence. We assist in implementing integrated compliance programs following mergers, acquisitions, and re-organizations. Our lawyers teach compliance training seminars, as well as conduct internal investigations and advise on related adversarial matters.