William F. Sinnott

Served as Lead Counsel to a major Massachusetts carrier in an action against the federal government and secured recovery of almost $30 million. Defended a Boston heath care institution against discrimination claims and obtained near-complete vindication by a Superior Court jury following a two week trial. Served as lead counsel to a Boston construction company in a partnership dispute and tried the case to a successful conclusion following an eight-day bench trial in the Business Litigation Session. Litigated to dismissal an action against a Massachusetts municipal official alleging defamation and civil rights violations. Assigned by the United States District Court as Counsel to a Special Master charged with conducting a three-year investigation of an MDL fee award resulting in a 400-page Report & Recommendations. Advised City officials on all legal facets of Occupy Boston and led the City’s successful litigation in superior court resulting in a peaceful and legally-defensible conclusion to the encampment in Dewey Square. Coordinated with United States and European law enforcement and diplomatic offices to investigate, arrest and extradite members of an international heroin-smuggling ring resulting in prosecution in federal court and lengthy prison sentences.

William F. Sinnott, Partner, shares why internal investigations are a smart business decision. In this media age of instant information, organizations are under constant scrutiny, and engaging in an internal investigation demonstrates transparency and a commitment to righting any wrongs uncovered. A company that does not proactively address allegations of misconduct, discrimination, or fraud appropriately can find itself out of business. Clients should consider the cost of not conducting an investigation and the potential fallout. Ultimately, the goal is for clients to come out of an investigation with a road map of how to do things better in the future, for both the organization and its employees.

Public construction projects are the backbone of any community, paid for and overseen by the state or local government. They provide infrastructure and jobs, boosting local economies. These kinds of projects are also subject to a slew of regulations that dictate everything from contracts, payroll, hiring, and materials. If these regulations are not followed, the project can turn quickly into a white collar crime scene. “We find that oftentimes companies aren’t very familiar with these regulations, because they’re busy building some of the most sophisticated and complex projects in the Commonwealth and throughout the Northeast. They’re working with owners and designers and subcontractors and vendors, solving problems and getting projects built, efficiently, quickly, and on schedule,” says James J. Barriere, Co-Chair of Hinckley Allen’s Construction & Public Contracts Group. To stave off any potential civil or criminal liability, a robust compliance program is your best bet. Here’s what good programs have in common.

High-profile cases in Boston are growing and Hinckley Allen is expanding the white collar practice to meet client need. Partners Michelle Peirce, Bruce Singal and Laura Angelini sat with Law360 to discuss.

Hinckley Allen construction, environmental and government enforcement & white collar defense attorneys have teamed up to address important developments and legal issues relating to government investigations of public contractors. This webinar, sponsored by CIM and UCANE, will focus on recent legal developments and best practices to avoid and defend against law enforcement actions in the public construction industry.