Management Advisory Memorandum: Notification of Concerns Regarding Lack of Department Policy Requiring Express Authorization for Department Attorneys to Participate in the Criminal or Civil Investigation or Prosecution of Former Clients

Date Issued

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Submitting OIG

Department of Justice OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Justice OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Justice

Components

Other DOJ Components

Report Number

21-110

Report Type

Other

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use	Additional Details
1	No	$0	$0	Status as of February 28, 2025
The Department should modify existing policy concerning a DOJ attorney's participation in a criminal or civil investigation or prosecution in which a former client is a witness, subject, target, defendant, or party, to ensure that any such participation does not cause a reasonable person to question that attorney's impartiality.
2	No	$0	$0	Status as of February 28, 2025
The Department should consider what requirements, guidance, and/or training should be provided to any incoming Department attorneys entering service regarding their handling of potential conflicts arising from their representation of clients arising from their representation of clients prior to joining DOJ.