Ogletree Deakins Launches Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group

ATLANTA – September 13, 2021 – Ogletree Deakins, one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management, today launches its Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group in response to client demand. The group is co-chaired by Monique Gougisha Doucette, shareholder in the firm’s New Orleans office, and Andre’ Caldwell, shareholder in Ogletree Deakins’ Oklahoma City office.

Members of the Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group draw on their extensive investigation and litigation experience to navigate high level internal complaints, conduct in-depth analyses of company policies and practices, and guide employers in a variety of additional investigative matters. The group will assist employers with investigations of critical workplace issues including claims of pattern or practice discrimination, rampant harassment, cultural inequities, unconscious bias, and executive misconduct.

The Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group will also conduct organizational assessments to analyze and address company-wide issues raised in claims of systemic discrimination, institutional and cultural inequities and ineffective workplace policies. These assessments are highly detailed and offer customized recommendations as a strategic plan for addressing large-scale perceptions and institutional best practices.

In addition to offering organizational assessments based on investigative determinations, attorneys in the group provide a streamlined approach to staffing client investigations and training respective human resources personnel on their investigation skills and practices.

Our practice group co-chairs share extensive backgrounds in workplace investigations and litigation.  Monique Doucette has over 19 years of experience managing employment litigation and leading internal investigations of critical, and often sensitive and high profile, issues for clients. Monique has become a resident leader in investigating complex matters involving claims of pattern/practice discrimination, systemic issues in workplace practices, workplace misconduct, sexual harassment/assault, and unconscious bias. She has also assisted clients in various industries with organizational and cultural impact assessments, mitigating brand-altering crisis, and developing strategic action plans based on investigative findings.

“Changes in our global cultural climate over the last few years have significantly increased the demand for counseling and assistance with challenging workplace investigations,” said Monique Gougisha Doucette, co-chair of the Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group. “I look forward to co-chairing this practice group and assisting employers as they navigate through these complex matters.”

Andre’ Caldwell was selected to co-chair the group in part due to his prosecutorial and litigation skills which he has leveraged to conduct workplace and internal investigations for clients locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition, Andre’ routinely conducts trainings for Human Resources and Employee Relations groups on the key techniques associated with conducting highly effective investigations. Andre’ is a highly experienced trial lawyer whose resume includes having tried over 20 cases to jury trial in federal court. At Ogletree, he represents employers of all sizes against all allegations of harassment and discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable state and local law.

“While Ogletree Deakins has always conducted workplace investigations, the formation of this practice group allows the Firm to centralize its core group of attorneys who have the experience and knowledge to handle these matters and, in turn, makes these investigators more readily identifiable and accessible to clients,” said Andre’ Caldwell, co-chair of the Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group. “I am excited to co-chair this practice group and take to the next level our ability to provide practical solutions to clients when these claims arise.”

About Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for 10 consecutive years. In 2021, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 900 attorneys located in 53 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, including many of the Fortune 50 companies in the U.S. www.ogletree.com