When Your Investigation Becomes Your Biggest Problem
Your organization conducted an investigation. Now you're facing legal challenges, and someone is claiming your investigation was flawed, biased, or inadequate. What should you do?
Contact us. Many well-intentioned investigations create more legal exposure than the original complaint. Whether it's a workplace harassment claim, Title IX matter, or internal misconduct allegation, a poorly executed investigation can destroy your defense and cost you significantly more than the original issue.
That's where we can help. CLEAResources provides independent, standards-based expert opinions that either validate your investigation's credibility or identify exactly what went wrong—giving you the clarity and expert testimony you need to protect your interests before, in, and after court.
Qualifications
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Air Force JAG | In-House Investigations Counsel
Testifying expert in state and federal matters; trained HR/legal teams; developed investigation playbooks; advised on private and DOJ/federal agency inquiries.
What We Do
Amy McDougal, JD, CCEP provides independent expert opinions on whether investigations were conducted according to recognized professional standards
- Expert Opinions on Investigation Quality: thorough and comprehensible reports on methodology, impartiality, sufficiency, timeliness, corrective action
- Testimony & Depositions: straightforward testimony in state, federal, and arbitration proceedings to aid the fact-finder
- Investigation Audits & Remediation Plans: policy gap analysis; investigation protocol and procedure; rebuild investigation playbooks
- Training for HR/Legal/Compliance: how to run defensible investigations; report writing that withstands Daube
Our evaluations serve:
• Courts & Legal Counsel - Expert testimony and reports for litigation
• Organizations - Independent validation of investigation quality
• Agencies - Standards-based review of administrative processes
Bottom Line: I determine if your investigation will hold up under legal scrutiny - without advocacy, just facts.
Types of Investigations We Review
✓ Workplace & Employment - Harassment, discrimination, retaliation, bullying, policy violations
✓ Title IX - Educational institution investigations
✓ Background Investigations - Pre-employment and security clearance matters
✓ Ethics & Compliance - Code of conduct violations, fraud, whistleblower claims
✓ Law Enforcement Administrative - Internal affairs, misconduct investigations
✓ Private Investigations - Licensed and unlicensed investigative work
Why Choose CLEAResources
Standards-Grounded Expertise
My opinions reference widely recognized investigation principles (ISO Standards, Council of Inspectors General, industry best practices), not just personal opinion.
Balanced & Objective
I identify both strengths and weaknesses. If your investigation was solid, I’ll say so. If it had problems, I’ll explain exactly what they were and whether they mattered.
- Trial-ready reporting: I write surgically like a prosecutor; my reports anticipate cross-examination.
- Military-grade process discipline: My military background brings value to my clients through the translation of strategy into a clear methodology, tactical actions, and after-action reviews.
- Business-savvy remediation: As former in-house counsel, I propose fixes leadership can actually implement.
- Regulatory fluency: I map my opinions to laws, regulations, and professional principles.
Proven Track Record
Decades of professional experience:
• Former Air Force JAG – Supervised, evaluated, and conducted Department of Defense investigations
• Former Federal Prosecutor – Evaluated and managed FBI investigations for prosecution in United States
• Corporate Counsel - Conducted and managed complex internal investigations as counsel for major organizations
• Trusted Investigative Partner - Conducted and managed complex internal investigations for major organizations
Clear Communication
No legal jargon. Our reports are written so anyone can understand complex investigative processes.
Our 8-Point Evaluation Framework
We examine whether your investigation was:
1. Legal - Conducted within proper authority and jurisdiction
2. Properly Scoped - Clear issues, defined roles, appropriate independence
3. Impartial - Free from conflicts, fair to all parties
4. Methodologically Sound - Proper planning, witness strategy, thorough execution
5. Evidence-Based - Relevant evidence collected, preserved, and analyzed correctly
6. Well-Documented - Complete records, clear findings, solid rationale
7. Timely & Proportional - Reasonable timeline and resources
8. Conclusive - Findings supported by facts and tied to applicable standards
How We Work
Step 1: Free Consultation (No Charge)
Conflicts of interest check and scope discussion to understand your needs, deadlines, and case details.
Step 2: Document Review
We analyze your investigation file: reports, exhibits, interview notes, policies, communications.
Step 3: Standards Analysis
Structured review against recognized professional principles and applicable laws.
Step 4: Draft Opinion
Preliminary findings for counsel review before final report, where permitted.
Step 5: Final Report & Testimony
Rule-compliant expert report, deposition prep, and trial testimony as needed.
Investment & Timeline
• Hourly rates for review, analysis, report writing, and testimony
• Retainer required upon engagement
• Expedited service available for urgent matters
• Travel billed at cost
• Written engagement agreement provided
Turnaround: Standard timelines with expedited options available.
Ready to Get Started?
Don't let a flawed investigation destroy your case. Get the independent expert analysis you need to either validate your investigation's credibility or understand exactly what went wrong.
Contact CLEAResources Today
Email: amy.mcdougal@clearesources.com
Phone: (703) 909-8884
Serving: All U.S. jurisdictions (remote and on-site available)