Whiff of Scandal: Standard to Hire Major Law Firm to Investigate

There's a lot of tsk-tsking that the University of Michigan is reported to be ponying up $11.5 million to have brandname law firm Jenner & Block conduct an investigation. 

The probe began because of an allegation that head coach Sherron Moore was conducting an inappropriate relationship with subordinate Paige Shiver. That investigation kicked off in November 2025 and is assumed to have only concluded last month. That's a lot of looking-into.

But such an expensive process has become standard for any organization hit with even a whiff of scandal. No longer does anyone accept the credibility of an internal probe done by the non-profit or the business itself. 

The current template was established in 2016. That's when Rupert Murdoch's two sons Lachlan and James contracted elite law firm Paul, Weiss to use its investigative procedures at 21st Century Fox. The issue were allegations of sexual shenanigans by media genius Roger Ailes. Investigations is now a designated practice niche for law firms. Lucrative, too.

It has been said that such contracts frequently come with specific marching orders from the organization. For example, it can mandate a prosecutorial approach. That is, the assumption that something or a number of somethings are off. Go to it. In addition, the probe could be open-ended: Is there more to this? Is what's suspected simply the tip of the iceberg? 

Along with the findings there could be recommendations by the law firm how to prevent trouble in the future. Or, there could even be some kind of pricey consultant being parachuted in to restructure the whole operation for ethical, branding and/or revenue reasons. 

It's in the financial and reputational self-interest of organizations to head off scandal. That is, establish internal checks and balances to prevent wrong-doing. 

In coaching, I advise leaders and managers to anticipate the worst in human nature. That's exactly what the Roman Catholic Church (original sin), William Shakespeare (cankered in the grain) and Carl Jung (shadow side) preach. 

UPDATE:

Law firm WilmerHale's investigation of Bard President Leon Botstein's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein had concluded today. Botstein is retiring from that leadership position.

Earning a Good Living in 2026 Involves Mental Combat. The enemy is usually your own thinking.

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