Debevoise attorneys understand that Congressional investigations carry a unique range of risks: they can result in negative headlines, industry-changing legislation, career setbacks, and criminal investigations. We also know that it takes both legal skill and excellent political judgment to respond to them effectively.

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Carter Burwell

David A. O'Neil

Jane Shvets

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David O’Neil is ranked as a leading lawyer for Government Relations: Congressional Investigations.

David's depth of experience, combined with his natural sharpness, make him an extraordinarily capable advocate and strategist.

David is extremely smart, has great judgment and is very level-headed. He has extensive experience in multiple senior governmental roles.

—Chambers USA, 2026

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Debevoise attorneys understand that Congressional investigations carry a unique range of risks: they can result in misleading and unfair headlines, industry-changing legislation, career setbacks, regulatory enforcement actions, and criminal investigations. We also know that it takes a thoughtful and deliberate combination of legal skill, practical real-world experience, bipartisan credibility, and finely-tuned political judgment to respond effectively to inquiries from congressional committees and members of the House or Senate. In a battleground that can often appear to operate without any shared factual information, without any recognizable legal rules and procedures, and without any neutral arbiters of established precedent, it is critical for corporate clients and individuals to be represented by an experienced team of trusted advocates who can work across the aisle, behind the scenes, and in the eye of the camera, and who can negotiate the delicate balance between substance and personality as legal and factual arguments take shape and develop in a rapidly changing political environment.Debevoise attorneys have represented clients and served as senior congressional staffers in some of the most high-stakes, high-profile, and consequential inquiries of recent years, including investigations involving technology companies and election interference, financial institutions and complex cross-border transactions, and healthcare controversies Our practice handles complex legal and political challenges with attention to sensitive personal and corporate interests. Drawing on our bipartisan network, we negotiate with committee staff to reduce our clients’ exposure. When committees insist on public testimony, we prepare witnesses to navigate difficult partisan hearings. At all times, we tailor our clients’ messaging to the interests of individual members and the broader political landscape.Our dynamic practice draws on the experience of lawyers throughout the firm, allowing us to adapt quickly to the 24-hour news cycle and shifting Congressional goals. We rely on our proficiency in key industries and our top-tier regulatory defense capabilities to anticipate and manage collateral risks. With bipartisan experience serving at the highest levels of the federal government and behind the scenes for senior leaders in Congress, our team also has the political experience and judgment to engage successfully with stakeholders in both the legislative and executive branches. At each step of these proceedings, we work closely with our clients to develop creative and effective strategies for achieving their goals.