When Congress Calls: A Two-Part Series on Congressional Investigations and Corporate Risk
- Registration Closed
Two sessions. One essential framework.
Congressional investigations don't play by the rules of a courtroom. They combine legal jeopardy, reputational risk, and raw political power — and they can blindside even the most seasoned executives.
With the 2026 midterms poised to reshuffle congressional priorities, the companies in the crosshairs tomorrow may look nothing like those under scrutiny today.
This two-part series arms senior legal leaders and government affairs officials with what they need to know — before the landscape shifts, and after.
Who should attend: General counsel and in-house legal leaders, government affairs and public policy officials, Chief Compliance Officers, corporate communications and crisis management leads, and executives at companies operating in politically sensitive or heavily regulated industries.
What makes this different: This series is a rare before-and-after structure. Most programming reacts to investigations after they happen; this one prepares you ahead of the political shift that creates them. Our program is built for cross-functional alignment, not just legal teams, and speaks directly to how legal, communications, and government affairs need to work together under pressure. Grounded in what's actually coming, part 2 delivers a real-time read on the new congressional landscape post-midterms.
Save These Dates:
Sept. 16, 2026 | 2:00pm EDT
- Session 2 - When Congress Calls, Pt. 2: Post-Election Recalibration: Positioning Your Company for the New Congress
Nov. 12, 2026 | 2:00pm EDT
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Your Guides Through the Gauntlet:
Session 1 | |
| Robert F. Kelner
Partner Covington & Burling LLP | |
| Brian D. Smith
Partner Covington & Burling LLP | |
 | Angelle Baugh Of Counsel Covington & Burling LLP |
 | Adam Goldberg
Founding Partner Trident GMG |
| Session 2 | |
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Generously Sponsored by Covington & Burling LLP & Trident GMG
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*Watch LIVE for CLE/CPD Credit!*
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Contains 2 Component(s) Recorded On: 09/16/2026
This program equips corporate leaders with actionable legal, communications, and political strategies to navigate a congressional investigation.
Surviving the Subpoena: A Playbook for Congressional Investigations
Congressional investigations don't play by the rules companies are used to. Some parts feel familiar — document productions, witness prep. Others catch even seasoned corporate counsel off guard, like preparing a CEO for live, nationally broadcast testimony before Congress on a matter of days' notice.
And the clock is ticking. The upcoming midterm elections are expected to trigger a new wave of investigations — and the companies best positioned to weather them are already getting ready.
In this panel discussion, two leaders from Covington & Burling's nationally ranked congressional investigations practice, joined by a crisis communications specialist from nationally ranked Trident GMG, will break down what it really takes to navigate a congressional investigation — legally, strategically, and publicly.
This session will cover:
- What triggers a congressional investigation, and how to recognize the early warning signs
- The document production process — and where companies most often stumble
- How to prepare executives for high-stakes, televised testimony under intense scrutiny
- Aligning legal, communications, and government affairs teams before Congress calls
- How the midterms could reshape which industries and issues face investigation next
- Real strategies for protecting your company's legal position and public reputation simultaneously
Attendees will walk away with:
- A clear understanding of how congressional investigations differ from traditional legal proceedings
- Practical tools for preparing executives and teams before an investigation begins
- Insight into what to expect if your company is contacted by Congress
- A framework for coordinating legal, communications, and political strategy under pressure
- A head start on what may be coming after the midterms
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Designed for senior in-house counsel and legal executives who want to be ready — not reactive.
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Generously Sponsored by Covington & Burling LLP & Trident GMG
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This session is part of the When Congress Calls: A Two-Part Series on Congressional Investigations and Corporate Risk.
Click Here to view all sessions and register for the full series.
Robert K. Kelner
Partner
Covington & Burling
Robert Kelner is the chair of Covington & Burling’s nationally recognized election and political law practice and a leader in the firm’s congressional investigations practice. He is nationally ranked in Band 1 by Chambers in both practices. Mr. Kelner has extensive experience representing companies, boards, and senior executives in high-stakes congressional inquiries and parallel government investigations, including preparing many CEOs and corporate executives for testimony before congressional investigation panels.
Brian D. Smith
Partner
Covington & Burling
Brian Smith is a leader of Covington & Burling’s congressional investigations practice. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers for congressional investigations, he represents companies and individuals facing high-profile and high-risk congressional investigations and hearings. He has extensive experience preparing CEOs and other senior executives to testify before challenging congressional oversight hearings.
Angelle Baugh (Moderator)
Of Counsel
Covington & Burling
Angelle Baugh is a core member of Covington & Burling’s congressional investigations practice. She has been individually ranked by Chambers for congressional investigations for three consecutive years. Ms. Baugh represents major corporations in high-profile oversight matters, advising on investigative strategy, witness preparation, and engagement with congressional staff.
Adam Goldberg
Founding Partner
Trident GMG
Adam Goldberg is one of the nation’s leading advisors helping organizations and individuals manage crises, execute litigation and investigation communications, and maximize stakeholder relations. He specializes in complex matters at the intersection of communications, law, and politics. Chambers has recognized Adam as top-ranking in its guide for crisis communications and highly ranking in its guide for litigation and investigation communications.
This program originally aired on September 16, 2026. Please note that the on-demand format of this program is NOT eligible for CLE/CPD credit.
