Learn to differentiate a corporate crisis from other business challenges and how to prevent crises before they arise.
In the corporate world, not all crises are created equally. How a business responds to unfavorable circumstances is crucial in order to preserve employee morale and public opinion. Using case studies from real companies, this course will highlight the importance of establishing a framework for addressing corporate crises. This material is valuable to employers and business owners who want to feel equipped to properly respond when faced with a crisis and protect themselves from legal risk.
Learning Objectives
- You will be able to describe the key components of an effective crisis response plan, including team structure, communication protocols, and legal readiness measures.
- You will be able to discuss how corporate culture - and proactive culture audits - can prevent crises and demonstrate fiduciary oversight to regulators and boards.
- You will be able to explain the legal and regulatory disclosure obligations that arise during a corporate crisis and how to coordinate consistent messaging across stakeholders.
Agenda
Overview
- Presenter Background and Objectives
- Why Crisis Readiness Matters (Regulatory + Reputational Risk)
- Corporate Governance Considerations
Defining a Corporate Crisis
- What Constitutes a Crisis vs. a Routine Disruption
- Crisis Assessment Checklist
- Business Continuity vs. Crisis Response Plans
Building the Crisis Response Team
- Membership and Responsibilities
- Coordination With Outside Advisors
- Role of the Board in Oversight
Legal Readiness and Preventive Structures
- Internal Investigations and Privilege Preservation
- Document Retention and Litigation Hold Policies
- Culture Audits as an Early Warning Tool
Disclosure and Communication Obligations
- Regulatory Disclosure Requirements
- Coordinating With Public Statements and Media
- Legal Pitfalls of Inconsistent Messaging
- Role of Social Media in Accelerating Crises
Government and Law Enforcement Involvement
- Responding to Subpoenas and Search Warrants
- Written Protocols and Employee Training
- Role of External Counsel and First Response Best Practices
Special Crisis Scenarios
- Cyber/Data Breaches
- Workplace Misconduct or Harassment Allegations
- Catastrophic Accidents or Fatalities
- PR/Social Media Backlash
Practical Takeaways and Q and A
- Top Five Must-Haves for Crisis Readiness
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Audience Questions
Speakers
Christina Hynes Mesco,
The Prinz Law Firm, P.C.- Of Counsel to The Prinz Law Firm
- Frequently represents both employers and employees – negotiating and litigating employment-related disputes, as well as conducting internal investigations on behalf of employers
- Particularly skilled in negotiations and obtaining critical information from difficult witnesses
- Frequent speaker and author on internal investigation-related topics, and was recently a featured presenter at the International Association of Workplace Investigators’ Annual Conference
- Repeatedly been selected as a “Superlawyer” and “Rising Star” by Illinois Superlawyers Magazine
- J.D. degree, Loyola University Chicago; undergraduate degree in communication, Honors College at the University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Can be contacted at cmesco@prinz-lawfirm.com
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for Human resource managers, benefits professionals, controllers, accountants, finance managers, presidents, vice presidents, payroll managers, business managers, and office managers.
