Blank Rome partner Jennifer L. Achilles will serve as a panelist for the Practising Law Institute’s (“PLI”) Audit Committees, Special Committees, and Internal Investigations 2026 program, being held in New York, New York, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

About the Conference

This program aims to enhance professionals’ understanding of the nuances of what is required of audit committees and special committees, and those who advise them. A faculty of experts will delve into regulatory developments and trends from the past year and the pressing legal ethics issues of the day and will take a four-part approach to discussing internal investigations.

Attendees will investigate and gain insight into how internal investigations are approached from multiple perspectives: the board of directors, the outside counsel, the forensic accountant, and the regulators and auditors. By exploring internal investigations from each perspective, the faculty will provide a well-rounded program on what professionals need to know when dealing with audit committees, special committees, and internal investigations.

Jennifer’s session, “Key Considerations Regarding an Audit Committee or Special Committee Investigation: The Outside Counsel’s Perspective,” will take place from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. 

About the Session

The panel will discuss the key factors for attorneys to conduct effective internal investigations, and how the Committee(s) should oversee this work. After completing this session, participants will be able to:

  • Know how to structure and initiate the internal investigation
  • Define the nature and scope of the internal investigation
  • Prepare for and conduct witness interviews
  • Handle critical privilege and confidentiality issues
  • Understand the need to retain other outside professionals (e.g., forensic accountants)
  • Prepare reports/presentations to the Committee(s) and the Board

Speakers:

  • Jennifer Achilles, Partner, Blank Rome LLP
  • Raquel Kellert, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP
  • Louis J. Manzo, Principal, Beveridge & Diamond PC

CLE credit is available.

For more information and to register, please visit the Audit Committees, Special Committees, and Internal Investigations 2026 webpage.